Cape district school bells ring Sept. 6

On Wednesday, Sept. 6, Cape Henlopen students will begin their day at one of the district’s nine schools, and motorists must be conscious of buses transporting children to and from school, sporting events and field trips.

While Cape schools start after the summer’s busiest traffic ends, parents, students and motorists can take steps to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads.

While waiting for the bus, students should avoid horseplay that may cause them to fall into the street. When the bus arrives, children should wait until it stops, then cross in front of the bus so the driver can see them. When exiting the bus, children should never run behind the bus or bend down to pick up an object.

Motorists must be aware of school buses on their routes. Drivers traveling in either direction on a two-lane road must stop when the bus’s flashing red lights and stop sign are activated. 

Drivers traveling in the same direction as a school bus on a four-lane, divided road must stop for a stopped school bus. Drivers traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.

Delaware code states that anyone convicted of passing a stopped school bus can be fined as much as $230 and/or imprisoned up to 60 days for the first offense. For each subsequent offense occurring within three years, violators can be fined up to $575 and imprisoned up to six months. Violators could also have their licenses suspended for up to one year.

The academic calendar, elementary and middle school supplies can be found on each school webpage at capehenlopenschools.com. Cape High students should bring their school-issued iPad and something to write with the first day; teachers will provide supply lists during the first week of class.

Bus pick-up and drop-off times will be available at capehenlopenschools.com and communicated with parents before the first day. Information on how to download and use the bus tracker app Where’s the Bus? is also on the district website.

Meet the teacher nights will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Beacon and Mariner middle schools, Tuesday, Aug. 29; at Cape High, Wednesday, Aug. 30; and at all elementary schools, Thursday, Aug. 31.

The Little Vikings and Sussex Consortium Sweetbriar meet the teacher night is set for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5. Students will be assigned a specific time block to visit their classroom, and staff will contact parents/guardians with their child’s visit time prior to the event.

2022-23 start and end times

All elementary schools
Bus discharge is at 8:40 a.m., with student drop-off from 8:35 to 8:55 a.m. Student pick-up is at 3:50 p.m. and buses depart at 3:55 p.m.

Beacon and Mariner Middle Schools
Bus discharge is from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m., with student drop-off at 7:30 a.m. Student pick-up is at 2:40 p.m., and buses depart at 2:45 p.m.

Sussex Consortium
Bus discharge and student drop-off are at 8:30 a.m. Student pick-up and bus departure are at 2:45 p.m.

Cape High
Bus discharge is from 7:20 to 7:35 a.m., with student drop-off at 7:20 a.m. Student pick-up is at 2:40 p.m., and buses depart at 2:45 p.m.