All Jefferson County Public Schools students are back in school. Here are some tips for parents and guardians.
On an average school day, about 65,000 JCPS students will ride the bus to and from school. This year, along with the change in school start times comes changes to school bus schedules and bus stops. The schedule and stop your child had last year may be different this year.
To find the bus stops closest to your home, use the Bus Finder App. Just type in your address and select your student’s school.
BUS LOCATION APP
JCPS is now providing the Edulog Parent Portal Lite smartphone app to help you receive information about your student’s school bus ride. The app allows you to see real-time information about the location of your student’s school bus and receive notifications when the bus is getting close.
To get started, download the Edulog Parent Portal Lite app from the Apple or Android store. You can download the app using the QR code found on the JCPS Edulog Parent Portal Lite website.
After downloading the app, you’ll be asked to enter a registration code. Use district registration code: 98295545. Please do not share this code as it is specific to JCPS buses.
The website will have directions on how to operate the app and follow your child's school bus(es). You can also view the instructions in Spanish and learn more about the app at our website.
If your child doesn't have an assigned bus stop or you are having difficulty getting information about your child's bus, call your child's school or Transportation at 485-3470.
KINDERGARTENERS
If you've got a kindergartener, we have a Ready for Kindergarten web page devoted to preparing you and your child for the first day. If the kindergartener is riding the school bus for the first time, JCPS Communications has produced a video to show you and your student what to expect as well as the process for ensuring your child gets to and from school safely:
Most schools are having Back-to-School or orientation events in the days leading up to the first day of school or shortly thereafter. Find your school’s event along with the date and time.
Every JCPS student is required by Kentucky state law to have certain immunizations when they attend school. Parents and guardians can review the health requirements for their child on the Health Services web page.
Every student in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is eligible for free breakfast and lunch regardless of their family’s income.
The Community Eligibility (CE) program was extended to ALL JCPS schools in late August 2023, bringing the total to 147 cafeterias.
- Families should continue to fill out the Educational Benefits Form for K-12 students. This form is needed to determine eligibility for various additional state and federal program benefits that your child may qualify for and to determine funding for your school.
- Families who have Early Childhood students should fill out a Meal Application for the snack program during the school day.
Please visit the Meal Applications page for more information regarding forms to fill out, forms in multiple languages, and links to both types of forms.
If you attend the Pathfinder School of Innovation and need information about meal service, contact (502) 485-3186.
The Parent Place web portal is a one stop shop for forms that parents or guardians will need to fill out as their student starts school. Some of the forms include the device usage agreement and health consent forms. Parent Place also has surveys for families to fill out.
Families are encouraged to update your contact information. Let your child's school know the easiest ways to contact you in case of emergency OR if a teacher or school administrator needs to reach you. JCPS also uses School Messenger to notify families via email and text when there is important information from the school district or your child’s school.
Every JCPS student will receive a copy of the Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook. Parents or guardians must sign the front sheet and send it back to their student’s school.
The handbook explains expectations for students in the classroom, school, on buses and at school-related activities. It also helps families navigate JCPS policies and procedures.
Your child’s school will supply many of the items they need to learn, like books or a computer device. Here is a basic list of school supplies that your child will likely need with their school or teacher possibly adding to the list.
Here is the school calendar for 2023-24.
We know your student is ready to have a great school year! Here are a few helpful reminders to get your child ready for Wednesday, August 9:
- Have you registered your child or verified their school assignment? Call 485-6250 if you need to find out which school your child will attend or what documents you will need in order to register.
- Do you know what time school starts for your child? JCPS has added multiple start times this year for K-12.
- Have you confirmed your child’s transportation arrangements? If your child is walking or biking, have you discussed safety precautions regarding traffic and strangers? If your child is riding a bus, have you talked about safety issues and behavior expectations?
- Have you checked with your school about the supplies your child will need?
- Do you know if your child’s school has a dress code? Will your child need different clothes for physical education or art classes?
- Have you filled out health, emergency contact and other forms that have been sent home?
- Has your child developed any health problems during the summer that will affect his or her school day? If so, have you notified school staff? If your child needs to take medication at school, have you made arrangements?
- Have you established an earlier bedtime to help your child get back on a school schedule?
- Have you talked to your child about starting the new school year with a positive outlook and a commitment to doing his or her best?
Reminder: For families with children enrolled in the district’s early childhood education program, classes begin on Wednesday, August 23.
Here are a few tips that may be especially helpful for students with disabilities and their families as they transition into the new school year.