Here are some brief summaries, with links to more detail, that explain what students can expect when they return to school. We encourage you to keep this message handy and refer to it as needed.
Welcome to families from Interim Superintendent Bridges
Interim Superintendent Dr. Randy Bridges introduces incoming superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor, who begins Oct. 1, and highlights the district’s new Strategic Plan: Pathways to Excellence and Equity.
Review the Student/Parent Handbook
This guide helps students and families understand the rules and expectations for behavior in school, on the way to and from school and during school-sponsored activities. Every student receives a hard copy at the beginning of the school year.
Access transportation resources
Traditional calendar bus riders should have received an email on Aug. 18 with detailed information about bus stops and estimated pick-up and drop-off times. That information also can be found in PowerSchool. Contact your school or transportation customer service at 919-805-3030 if you have questions. Families should visit wcpss.net/busupdates in the morning and afternoon to check for delays. They can also download the Here Comes the Bus app to track their child’s bus. Discuss with your child the importance of appropriate behavior on the bus to help protect everyone in and around the bus. Misbehavior on school buses is subject to disciplinary action.
New visitor check-in system
To continue to provide safe learning environments, all schools have upgraded their visitor check-in system to a district-wide Visitor Management System. The new system will verify all school visitors and check the Sex Offender Registry for potential matches. View details of what to expect when visiting your child’s school.
Report a safety concern
We value our partnership with families and the community in keeping schools safe. Share safety concerns using the WCPSS Tip Line at (919) 856-1911.
Update your contact information
It is important for your school to have the most updated contact information for your family. Families who need to update their contact information should contact their school’s data manager. If you did not receive this message as a text, consider opting in for our text messages by texting YES to 67587.
Apply for free and reduced-price school meals
To receive free or reduced-price meals for the 2023-24 school year, families must submit a meal benefits application online at MySchoolApps.com. Paper copies will be available at your school’s office. For families who completed the 2022-23 meal benefits application, the benefit continues for their student's first 30 school days of the 2023-24 school year. At elementary schools, full-paid breakfast will be $1.50 and lunch will be $3.25. At middle and high schools, full-paid breakfast will be $1.75 and lunch will be $3.50. All students that attend a CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) school will receive their meals at no cost. Families do not need to complete a meal benefits application for students attending a CEP school.
Check out school menus in Mealviewer
Menus will now be available on our interactive website, MealViewer. Monthly school meal menu PDFs will no longer be posted on the district website. In Mealviewer, families will be able to:
View 5 weeks of menus in PDF and print if desired
Set up multiple profiles at the schools of your choice
See any menu changes posted by the manager at each site
Choose menu items based on allergens
View nutrients and carbohydrate count for each menu item
Print menus with carb counts per item and items with allergens designated
Find student behavioral health support Students’ social-emotional well-being is supported by all staff. If you have concerns about your child, or want to learn more about how your school supports student well-being, contact your child’s school counselor. School counselors, psychologists and social workers are available in every school. In addition, Counseling and Student Services offers resources that may help students and families improve their health and wellness. Review technology resources for families Find technology policies, forms and resources on how we keep our students safe online at wcpss.net/technology. Learn more about online classroom tools Canvas is the universal Learning Management System for WCPSS. Canvas is a digital space where students can engage with lessons, activities, assessments, and other subject content. Families can connect with their student’s classroom through Observer Accounts and get support using Canvas at the WCPSS Tech Guides site. Watch these videos that highlight how a first grader, middle school students, and a parent use Canvas. Purchase student accident insurance Each school year, parents have the option to purchase accident insurance for their child through a WCPSS-contracted provider, which offers a variety of plans and coverages. Students who participate in interscholastic or intramural activities are required to have insurance, per board policy. Student accident insurance can be purchased at the provider’s website any time during the school year. See www.wcpss.net/insurance for the current student accident insurance plans and claim form. Follow us on social media For another way to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in our district, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.