Information about Bus Stops

Art by Antoine Owens

My ninth-grader is planning to practice his bus route on the day of his orientation, Wed. Aug. 22. So far, we have no idea when his bus will be at his stop. How can we know?

The schools are mailing that information. If you have not yet received it, you may call the school directly to ask.

Some more general information about buses is available at Buses

 

Looking Good

Art by Andonyah Mouzon

What are the policies regarding what my child can or cannot wear to school?

When you tell your child there is no way that he or she is leaving the house dressed like that, you can say that you have school board policy to back you up.

Some rules apply to all schools. That includes: No bare feet. No pants, slacks or jeans that sag below the waist. No hats, caps, bandanas or other garments that cover the student’s face or otherwise conceal the student’s identity. No symbols or clothing associated with gangs, intimidation or violence.

No clothing that contains advertisements for tobacco, alcohol or drugs; pictures or graphics of nudity; words that are profane, lewd, vulgar, or indecent. No halter tops. No bare midriffs. No spaghetti straps or tank tops. No strapless shirts or tube tops. No revealing attire. No very short skirts or shorts. No underpants or bras that show or that are worn as outerwear.

Some schools use standard modes of dress (often called SMOD) or uniforms. Check with your child’s school about specific guidelines. 

For more information, you can go to School Board Policies

Texting and Cell Phones

Art by Jasmin Cruz

Are teachers allowed to text students?

Teachers should not send text messages to individual students at any grade level. In high schools, teachers can send text to groups of students through group texting websites. Parents must give permission and provide a phone number to use for their child’s texting.

What are the school system’s policies about cell phones at schools? 

Most schools allow them - with limitations. For starters, cell phones may not be used from the beginning of the instructional day until after the instructional day ends, unless the principal or someone acting for the principal says otherwise.

A phone that is used or even one that rings or vibrates may be confiscated, to be returned only to the parent or guardian, and the privilege of bringing a phone to school may be revoked for the rest of the school year.

Kurt Telford, who recently retired as principal at West Forsyth High School, said that the first time a student is found using a cell phone during the school day, the student is asked to turn it over to the teacher and it is returned at the end of the school day.

“We give you one freebie,” Telford said. “It could happen to anybody.”

The second time it happens, the phone is confiscated and a parent has to come get it. Plus, the student is required to attend Saturday School, a three-hour study hall held on Saturday mornings.

Sometimes, Telford said, students try to be sneaky about using a cell phone, doing something such as holding the phone under the desk and texting. “Some students seem addicted to it,” he said.

Telford likened using a cell phone during school to driving while talking on the cell phone – it keeps you from putting your focus where it should be. “You can’t concentrate on both,” he said. “It interferes with their school work.”

Some schools have more restrictive policies. At Main Street Academy, for example, cell phones and other portable communication devices are prohibited.

More information about cell phone policies is available at School Board Policies

Breaks During the School Year

Art by Lillie Gifford

As soon as school starts, someone is going to be wondering when the first break is.

The first day off comes up soon. Monday Sept. 3 is a school holiday.

The Thanksgiving holiday is scheduled for Wednesday Nov. 21 through Friday Nov. 23.

Winter break starts Dec. 21, and students return to school Jan. 2.

Spring break is March 28 through April 5.

Please remember,  all that could change if schools have to close for bad weather along the way.

For more information about the calendar go to the School Calendar

 

Lunch Money

Art by Peyton Santolla

How much is lunch going to cost for the 2012-13 school year? 

Prices for lunch are $2.45 in elementary schools, $2.55 in middle schools and $2.65 in high school. Breakfast is $1.90 in elementary school, $2.00 in middle school and $2.10 in high school. Reduced-price lunches are 40 cents each in all grades. Students can also purchase food a-la-carte.

If you would like to have the convenience of pre-paying for your child’s meals, you can send do so by check or by online payment. To pay by check, make out the check to the cafeteria at your child’s school and include your child’s NCWISE identification number. To pay online, go to MyNutriKids

People eligible for free or reduced-priced meals need to fill out an application. Applications are available from the cafeteria manager at your child’s school and the Child Nutrition Office at 2266 Marble St. If you have any questions, you can call the Child Nutrition Department at (336) 771-4526 ext. 106 or ext. 109.

You can see the monthly menus for breakfast and lunch at Chartwells.

Answers to Your Questions

Art by Justin Blizzard

We plan to use The Active Voice as a place where you can share your thoughts about Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and find the answers to questions you may have. You may reach Kim Underwood at  rkunderwood@wsfcs.k12.nc.us