12 things you need to know as 42,000 Lexington kids go back to school

Roughly 42,000 students will be headed back to school campuses throughout Lexington on Wednesday.

Here’s a quick list of important things to know as the city goes back to school.

▪ Have a question on the first day? Fayette County Public Schools has a new website at fcps.net. It has a variety of information for students, families and the community. Look under the Families tab for information commonly requested by families. Just below the photos are a set of quick links. School supply lists are located on the home page for each school. If you have additional questions, call the district Central Office at (859) 381-4100, but officials are asking for your patience. The district receptionist normally receives an average of 1,800 calls a day this time of year.

▪ What time is the bell? The majority of elementary schools begin each day at 7:45 a.m. Cassidy, Harrison, Mary Todd and Northern begin at 8:25 a.m.; Middle schools begin at 9:05 a.m.; High schools begin at 8:25 a.m.

▪ What’s the new high school like? Lexington’s brand new, $82 million Frederick Douglass High School, Fayette County’s sixth general high school, opens for the first time Wednesday at 2000 Winchester Road. Visit the campus and take a video tour.

▪ Where’d Channel 13 go? Fayette County Public Schools’ television programming FCPS-TV, which had broadcast locally on Channel 13 since 1981, can now be found on Channel 197 in Spectrum’s cable service. Programming is also streamed live on the district website.

▪ How did my kid do on that test? Like to keep track of your child’s assignments, grades and more? The web address has changed for the district Infinite Campus Parent/Student Portal. The new URL: https://fayetteky.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/fayette.jsp

▪ Ready for a day off already? Fayette County Public Schools officials have canceled classes on Aug. 21, the day North America will experience a total solar eclipse. Oct. 27, which initially was a scheduled day off, will be a regular school day.

▪ Which school does my child attend? Where do they catch the bus? New middle and high school attendance zones are being implemented in 2017-18 with the opening of the new high school. To find the school a student is assigned to go to fcps.net/streets. To find a bus route go to fcps.net/bus.

▪ Are any schools over capacity? Because Athens-Chilesburg Elementary has reached enrollment capacity, effective Aug. 7, all new enrollees in the ACE zone are directed to enroll at Squires Elementary instead. Bus transportation will be provided.

▪ Running a bit behind? Registration for all schools is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays through the first day of school, Aug. 16. To enroll a new student in grades K-12, families can begin the process online at fcps.net. Families can also go to the school their neighborhood is assigned to and fill out a registration packet.

▪ Please watch for kids and buses. Be mindful of increased school traffic on Wednesday, and be patient. District officials ask that drivers stop for school buses.

▪ Ready for kindergarten? Under state law, age requirements for kindergarten have changed in 2017-18. Students must now be 5 by Aug. 1 to start kindergarten. Parents can apply for early entry under certain conditions online at https://apps.fcps.net/kindergarten/ The district’s early start preschool program has a different opening day than the rest of the district. Classes for children eligible for preschool begins Aug. 23 and 24.

▪ Fill their bellies, fill their minds. Students who formerly were eligible for reduced price meals will receive free school meals in 2017-18. Reduced priced meals have been eliminated.

This story was originally published August 14, 2017 at 2:23 PM with the headline "12 things you need to know as 42,000 Lexington kids go back to school."