Bussing and Meal Updates for 2022-23
Bussing Update
Again, we want to welcome our new transportation company, Safeway. We are excited to partner with them as we transition our transportation services. Our mutual goals center around safety, efficiency, and communication. In order to provide the best possible service, we would like to share some additional information regarding transportation for the 2022-2023 school year and some adjustments that are required in order to ensure smooth transportation operations.
Willow Grove and Elementary School Bell Schedule
One of the advantages of our new contract is that we will not be pairing routes with other districts. Our buses and drivers will be providing service to District 96 only. In doing so, a very small adjustment to the dismissal time at Willow Grove, Prairie, Ivy Hall, Kildeer, and Country Meadows is required in order to allow for enough time between elementary level and middle school routes. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the dismissal time for Willow Grove for kindergartners and all elementary schools will move from 3:00 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.
2022-2023 Bell Schedules
Willow Grove Early Childhood Blended Preschool
Willow Grove Kindergarten
All Elementary (Grades 1-5)
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Students who are eligible for early childhood services at Willow Grove will continue to receive special transportation. In order to ensure efficiency, kindergarten stops will mirror elementary stops, and we will institute community stops for all Willow Grove kindergarteners.
Option: Opt-Out of District Transportation
During this past school year, families were asked to opt-out of district bus service if they were able and willing to provide transportation to and from school for their student(s). We will be asking families to do so once again, should they find themselves willing and able to do so. Please look for a communication from the district in mid-July that will allow you to indicate this choice.
2023-2024 Bus Transportation Services
Once the registration process opens for the 2023-2024 school year, all families will be asked to opt-in to transportation services during the required registration process. This is a common practice in surrounding school districts, and this will be embedded into the registration process in a way that requires families to do so at that time.
School Meals Update
The federal program that has allowed school districts across the country to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, regardless of income, will expire on June 30, 2022. Since 2020, this program has eliminated the need to collect payments for school meals for any student. At this time, the federal government has not extended the waivers for next school year to allow free meals for all students. As a result, schools across the nation will be reverting back to free and reduced-price meals based on income eligibility guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
During the 2022-23 school year, families who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will have to pay for school meals. Students whose families are eligible for free or reduced price breakfast or lunch will be able to access meals next school year at no cost or at a discounted rate.
Since this adjustment may create a financial burden on some of our families, we are writing to give you advance notice of this change. As always, the district will work with families in need of assistance. At no point would we ever want any child to go hungry at school.
At this time, we do not need any information from families. As we have done in the past, we will make applications for free and reduced meals available on the District’s website.
We hope that you enjoy a restful summer!
~ Respectfully,
Julie Schmidt, D96 Superintendent of School