Back-to-School Guide: School bus safety, calendars, lunch menus, shopping lists and more! (2024)

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Back-to-School Guide: School bus safety, calendars, lunch menus, shopping lists and more!

Students across the Piedmont Triad are going back to school.Make sure you keep reading to find out about school bus safety, school bus law, when to stop for a school bus, immunizations, school calendars, shopping lists, nutrition and school menus, helpful sites and numbers, bullying resources, suicide prevention, high school football and what's new with schools.School System CalendarsAlamance Burlington SchoolsAlleghany County SchoolsAsheboro City SchoolsCaswell County SchoolsDavidson County SchoolsDavie County SchoolsElkin City SchoolsGuilford County SchoolsLexington City SchoolsMontgomery County SchoolsMount Airy City SchoolsPatrick County SchoolsRandolph County SchoolsRockingham County SchoolsStokes County SchoolsSurry County SchoolsThomasville City SchoolsWinston-Salem/Forsyth County SchoolsWilkes County SchoolsYadkin County SchoolsSchool System Sites, Phone NumbersAlamance Burlington Schools - 336-570-6060Alleghany County Schools - 336-372-4345Asheboro City Schools - 336-625-5104Caswell County Schools - 336-694-4116Davidson County Schools - 336-249-8182Davie County Schools - 336-751-5921Elkin City Schools - 336-835-3135Guilford County Schools - 336-370-8100Lexington City Schools - 336-242-1527Montgomery County Schools - 910-576-6511Mount Airy City Schools - 336-786-8355Patrick County Schools - 276-694-3163Randolph County Schools - 336-633-5000Rockingham County Schools - 336-627-2600Stokes County Schools - 336-593-8146Surry County Schools - 336-386-8211Thomasville City Schools - 336-474-4200Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools - 336-727-2816Wilkes County Schools - 336-667-1121Yadkin County Schools - 336-551-1100School SuppliesIt can be stressful trying to find everything your student needs before they get back to the classroom. Below are some links for stores with back-to-school deals and lists.Walmart | Shopping ListTarget | Shopping ListAmazon | Shopping ListKohl's | Shopping List School Bus SafetyMore than 3,000 drivers pass stopped school buses in North Carolina every day — that’s according to a study by the state Department of Public Instruction. That’s why it’s important to know the rules of the road when it comes to stopping for a school bus.When to Stop for a School Bus:Two-lane roadway – All traffic from both directions must stopTwo-lane with a center turning lane – All traffic from both directions must stopFour-lane roadway – All traffic from both directions must stopFour-lane roadway with a median – Only traffic following the bus must stopFour or more lanes with a center turning lane – Only traffic following the bus must stopThere are three blind spots where the bus driver can lose sight of a child:FRONT - It's never safe to walk close to the front of the bus. Children should walk five giant steps ahead of the bus before crossing in front of it.SIDE - Children should always stay three giant steps away from the side of the bus.REAR - NEVER walk behind the school bus.Bus safety tips for children:Be cautious of strangers.When the bus approaches, step back from the curb at least three giant steps.Never run to catch the bus.If you have to walk on road where there's no sidewalk, walk against traffic and out of the road.Make sure you see the bus driver's eyes when boarding or crossing in front of the bus.If you drop something under or near the bus, don't pick it up until you tell the bus driver.If you must cross the street to get to the bus, always look left, then right, then left again.Wait for the bus to stop before you get on or off.If you leave something on the bus, don't run after the bus to get it.School Bus Stop LawNorth Carolina’s School Bus Stop law makes it illegal to pass a stopped school bus.PenaltiesA driver could be fined a $500 penalty for passing a stopped school bus plus a five-point penalty on their driver's license. A driver who passes a stopped school bus and hits someone will face a minimum of a $1,000 fine as it's a Class I felony. The penalty increases to a Class H felony and a fine of $2,500 if someone is killed.Find out more by visiting NC Bus Safety.School Bus Transporation InformationAlamance Burlington SchoolsAlleghany County SchoolsAsheboro City SchoolsCaswell County SchoolsDavidson County SchoolsDavie County SchoolsElkin City SchoolsGuilford County Schools Here Comes the Bus - school bus tracking app for Guilford Co. Schools Lexington City SchoolsMontgomery County SchoolsMount Airy City SchoolsPatrick County SchoolsRandolph County SchoolsRockingham County SchoolsStokes County SchoolsSurry County Schools School bus travel tracker for Surry County Schools Thomasville City SchoolsWinston-Salem/Forsyth County SchoolsWilkes County SchoolsYadkin County Schools Where's the bus mobile app for Yadkin County Schools Bus Stop ForecastMake sure you check the weather forecast every day for conditions at the bus stop.►Check Bus Stop ForecastTraffic ConditionsKeep up with the latest traffic conditions before you hit the road for school or when dropping off the kids.►Check traffic conditionsSchool Nutrition/MealsAlamance Burlington SchoolsAlleghany County SchoolsAsheboro City SchoolsCaswell County SchoolsDavidson County SchoolsDavie County SchoolsElkin City Schools Mobile Menu App for Elkin City Schools Guilford County SchoolsLexington City SchoolsMontgomery County SchoolsMount Airy City SchoolsPatrick County SchoolsRandolph County SchoolsRockingham County SchoolsStokes County SchoolsSurry County SchoolsThomasville City SchoolsWinston-Salem/Forsyth County SchoolsWilkes County SchoolsYadkin County SchoolsImmunizationsNorth Carolina law requires all children in the state to receive certain immunizations. In order to be fully protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, children should receive all age-appropriate immunizations, according to NCDHHS.Find out more about required immunizations by visiting NCDHHS.KindergartenVaccination requirements for kindergarten-age children can be found below:VaccineNumber Doses Required Before School Entry*Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis5 dosesPolio4 dosesMeasles2 dosesMumps2 dosesRubella1 doseHaemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)4 dosesHepatitis B (Hep B)3 dosesVaricella (chickenpox)2 dosesPneumococcal conjugate4 doses7th GradeVaccination requirements for 7th grade age children can be found below:VaccineNumber Doses Required Before School Entry*Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis5 dosesPolio4 dosesMeasles2 dosesMumps2 dosesRubella1 doseHaemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)4 dosesHepatitis B (Hep B)3 dosesVaricella (chickenpox)1 doseTetanus/diphtheria/pertussis1 dosem*ningococcal conjugate1 dose12th GradeVaccination requirements for 12th grade age children can be found below:VaccineNumber Doses Required Before School Entry*Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis5 dosesPolio4 dosesMeasles2 dosesMumps2 dosesRubella1 doseHaemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)4 dosesHepatitis B (Hep B)3 dosesVaricella (chickenpox)1 doseTetanus/diphtheria/pertussis1 dosem*ningococcal conjugate (Effective 2020-2021 School Year)2 dosesHigh School FootballIt's that time again for all things gridiron! Make sure you get the latest high school football highlights and scores.►Check out High School Football!BullyingWith the return of the new school year, it's important to keep in check with your child. There are several different types of bullying to know about. Plus, make sure you know the signs of bullying. Here's a list of resources to find out more and to get help.Stomp Out BullyingNSCCStopbullying.govGet help now from bullyingBe StrongSuicide PreventionStopbullying.gov provides information for suicide prevention. If someone is feeling hopeless, helpless, or thinking of suicide they can text 988 and chat with Lifeline.Find out more, Stopbullying.gov Take NotesTell us what's new with your school system this year and we'll add it here to our back-to-school guide. Send an email with details to newstips@wxii12.comKeep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —

Students across the Piedmont Triad are going back to school.

Make sure you keep reading to find out about school bus safety, school bus law, when to stop for a school bus, immunizations, school calendars, shopping lists, nutrition and school menus, helpful sites and numbers, bullying resources, suicide prevention, high school football and what's new with schools.

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School System Calendars

School Supplies

It can be stressful trying to find everything your student needs before they get back to the classroom. Below are some links for stores with back-to-school deals and lists.

Walmart | Shopping List
Target | Shopping List
Amazon | Shopping List
Kohl's | Shopping List

School Bus Safety

More than 3,000 drivers pass stopped school buses in North Carolina every day — that’s according to a study by the state Department of Public Instruction. That’s why it’s important to know the rules of the road when it comes to stopping for a school bus.

When to Stop for a School Bus:

Two-lane roadway – All traffic from both directions must stop
Two-lane with a center turning lane – All traffic from both directions must stop
Four-lane roadway – All traffic from both directions must stop
Four-lane roadway with a median – Only traffic following the bus must stop
Four or more lanes with a center turning lane – Only traffic following the bus must stop

There are three blind spots where the bus driver can lose sight of a child:

FRONT - It's never safe to walk close to the front of the bus. Children should walk five giant steps ahead of the bus before crossing in front of it.
SIDE - Children should always stay three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
REAR - NEVER walk behind the school bus.

Bus safety tips for children:

Be cautious of strangers.
When the bus approaches, step back from the curb at least three giant steps.
Never run to catch the bus.
If you have to walk on road where there's no sidewalk, walk against traffic and out of the road.
Make sure you see the bus driver's eyes when boarding or crossing in front of the bus.
If you drop something under or near the bus, don't pick it up until you tell the bus driver.
If you must cross the street to get to the bus, always look left, then right, then left again.
Wait for the bus to stop before you get on or off.
If you leave something on the bus, don't run after the bus to get it.

School Bus Stop Law

North Carolina’s School Bus Stop law makes it illegal to pass a stopped school bus.

Penalties

A driver could be fined a $500 penalty for passing a stopped school bus plus a five-point penalty on their driver's license. A driver who passes a stopped school bus and hits someone will face a minimum of a $1,000 fine as it's a Class I felony. The penalty increases to a Class H felony and a fine of $2,500 if someone is killed.

Find out more by visiting NC Bus Safety.

School Bus Transporation Information

Here Comes the Bus - school bus tracking app for Guilford Co. Schools

School bus travel tracker for Surry County Schools

Where's the bus mobile app for Yadkin County Schools

Bus Stop Forecast

Make sure you check the weather forecast every day for conditions at the bus stop.

►Check Bus Stop Forecast

Traffic Conditions

Keep up with the latest traffic conditions before you hit the road for school or when dropping off the kids.

►Check traffic conditions

School Nutrition/Meals

Mobile Menu App for Elkin City Schools

Immunizations

North Carolina law requires all children in the state to receive certain immunizations. In order to be fully protected from vaccine-preventable diseases, children should receive all age-appropriate immunizations, according to NCDHHS.

Find out more about required immunizations by visiting NCDHHS.

Kindergarten

Vaccination requirements for kindergarten-age children can be found below:

Vaccine	Number Doses Required Before School Entry*
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis	5 doses
Polio	4 doses
Measles	2 doses
Mumps	2 doses
Rubella	1 dose
Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)	4 doses
Hepatitis B (Hep B)	3 doses
Varicella (chickenpox)	2 doses
Pneumococcal conjugate	4 doses

7th Grade

Vaccination requirements for 7th grade age children can be found below:

Vaccine	Number Doses Required Before School Entry*
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis	5 doses
Polio	4 doses
Measles	2 doses
Mumps	2 doses
Rubella	1 dose
Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)	4 doses
Hepatitis B (Hep B)	3 doses
Varicella (chickenpox)	1 dose
Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis	1 dose
Meningococcal conjugate	1 dose

12th Grade

Vaccination requirements for 12th grade age children can be found below:

Vaccine	Number Doses Required Before School Entry*
Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis	5 doses
Polio	4 doses
Measles	2 doses
Mumps	2 doses
Rubella	1 dose
Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib)	4 doses
Hepatitis B (Hep B)	3 doses
Varicella (chickenpox)	1 dose
Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis	1 dose
Meningococcal conjugate (Effective 2020-2021 School Year)	2 doses

It's that time again for all things gridiron! Make sure you get the latest high school football highlights and scores.

►Check out High School Football!

Bullying

With the return of the new school year, it's important to keep in check with your child. There are several different types of bullying to know about. Plus, make sure you know the signs of bullying. Here's a list of resources to find out more and to get help.

Suicide Prevention

Stopbullying.gov provides information for suicide prevention. If someone is feeling hopeless, helpless, or thinking of suicide they can text 988 and chat with Lifeline.

Find out more, Stopbullying.gov

Take Notes

Tell us what's new with your school system this year and we'll add it here to our back-to-school guide. Send an email with details to newstips@wxii12.com

Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.