The start of a new school year on August 16 is an exciting time as children embark on new adventures to learn and make new friends. The teachers and staff of Volusia County Schools have spent the summer preparing, and we are excited to welcome your students back to class!
Riding the school bus is an important part of the school tradition – something I remember fondly from my childhood. At VCS, we transport about 22,500 students on 175 different routes in a typical year. In the course of the year, we carry our precious cargo more than 4 million miles. Thank you to our drivers and attendants – they are dedicated professionals. One driver, Wonieak Wesley, has been transporting our children since 1984!
Safety is our No. 1 priority. Our staff is trained regularly, and we inspect all buses every 28 days. We continually refresh our fleet with buses that offer current technology, safety, and comfort features. This year we are adding 20 new school buses, and video cameras will be upgraded in all buses.
Through technology, we track students as they make their journey each morning and afternoon. And, parents, you can receive timely information about the location of your child’s bus, including when it is expected to arrive at the designated stop, through the free Where’s the Bus app.
This year’s bus routes will be announced in early August. If you have moved or are new to VCS, please contact your school registrar to ensure your address is up-to-date and your student is coded for transportation eligibility. Students are eligible for bus transportation if they live more than 2 miles from their school.
When your children arrive at school, we’ll have some exciting changes for them! VCS will be a full Technology 1:1 school district this year. All elementary, middle, and high school students will have a dedicated laptop (grades 3-12) or iPad (Pre-K to 2nd grade) to use for school. Research shows that one-to-one laptop programs increase student achievement, and we’re proud to join the Technology 1:1 family!
VCS School Way Café will serve meals (breakfast and lunch) to all students attending in-person classes in Volusia County Schools at no charge to families this school year.
We have all new textbooks for English Language Arts to ensure every child receives high-quality, equitable, standards-based curriculum and instruction. We are adding the AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at middle schools and select elementary schools. Our Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program is expanding to five new elementary schools. At the high school level, we are introducing a new vocational program in heating/air conditioning at Pine Ridge High.
This fall we are also launching our Lohman’s Museum of Arts & Sciences Field Study, a fun and engaging day of science education at MOAS for all VCS 5th and 8th graders, approximately 10,000 students per year. The day at the museum is designed to inspire future scientists to pursue their love of science education! We thank Lowell and Nancy Lohman for their generosity in making this innovative learning experience possible at no charge to our students.
I encourage families to prepare for new routines in the weeks before school starts. Get to bed earlier, practice opening lunch containers. Be sure to attend Meet the Teacher and get involved in your school as a volunteer and join the School Advisory Committee or PTA. It will make for a harmonious school year.
Your school website and the district’s website are great resources for information and be sure to follow your school and the district on social media for the latest news.
I wish you a successful school year!
