Back-to-school Coverage

While many year-round students have already started classes, Aug. 28 marks the first day of the 2023-2024 academic year for most traditional calendar students.


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The first day of school is August 28

While many year-round students have already started classes, Aug. 28 marks the first day of the 2023-2024 academic year for most traditional calendar students.

All drivers should be ready for more traffic on the roads and drive slowly in school zones. Here are some helpful tips and reminders.

Track your child's school bus route

Schools in Wake County and across the state are dealing with a shortage of school bus drivers, which may cause some delays.

Wake County families can use the Here Comes the Bus app to track their child's school bus. Sign up online. You can also track the status of a school bus on the WCPSS website.

Know when to stop for a school bus

Each year, children are injured or killed when drivers don't stop or slow down for buses. Most of us know all vehicles must stop for school buses on two lane roads, even if there is a turn lane.

The confusion often comes when there are four lanes. If a four-lane road does not have any kind of median, everyone in both directions must stop. If that four-lane road has something in the middle, whether it’s a center turn lane or any kind of a median, only drivers behind and beside the bus must stop. Drivers headed in the opposite direction can keep traveling.

Those caught violating the law can get a $500 fine and points on their license.

What vaccines are required for school in North Carolina?

North Carolina law requires all children in the state to receive certain immunizations. Records are checked when children enter school or child care, so ask your pediatrician for a copy of your child's vaccine record next time you visit the doctor. Find a full list here.

Meal prices increasing

The Wake County Public School System is raising prices of all meals by 25 cents. At elementary schools, full-paid lunches will be increasing 25 cents to $3.25. At middle and high schools, full-paid lunches will be increasing 25 cents to $3.50.

A $0.25 per meal price increase would cost a family $44.25 more per child for a 177-day school year.

Wake’s price increase pushes its meal price above Johnston County Schools but still below Chatham County Schools and Durham Public Schools. Its prices would still be higher than some other major schools systems in other North Carolina regions, including Guilford County Schools, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, meals were free for all students. Students can still apply for free or reduced lunch.