About 500 students bade goodbye to summer vacation Wednesday morning and flocked back to classes at Frankfort's Second Street School as Frankfort Independent Schools reopened for the 2012-13 school year.

Students found some new things waiting for them at Second Street School, including plans to provide free breakfast and lunch for all students this year.

Frankfort Independent Schools, which operates on an alternative calendar, typically are among the first in Kentucky to open each year. But at least one other district, Webster County Schools in Western Kentucky, also resumed classes Monday.

Many Kentucky students have enjoyed an extra-long summer break this year because school systems had fewer snow days to make up after an unusually mild winter. But kids across the state will be back in class soon.

Fayette County Public Schools, Madison County Schools and Jessamine County Schools will reopen Aug. 15; Scott County Schools open Aug. 7; Franklin County and Woodford County on Aug. 8; and Bourbon County and Clark County on Aug. 9.

To help kids and parents prepare, Fayette County will hold its seventh annual Ready, Set, Go! back-to-school rallies Saturday morning at 19 Lexington neighborhoods. Kentucky Utilities, the YMCA and other community partners are helping out at the events.

Primary, elementary, middle and high school students and their parents can attend and enjoy food and activities, and receive backpacks filled with free school supplies. Registration, which is required, will be at each rally site from 9 to 11 a.m., and supplies will be distributed starting at noon.

To find the rally location nearest you, go to FCPS.net and look under "The Buzz."

Jim Warren (859) 231-3255. Twitter: @heraldleader.