Back-to-school dates, start times, lunches, COVID-19 protocol and other things to know

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the start dates for Indian River School District.

The first day of school for public school students in Delaware is just two weeks away in some districts, while others won't start until after Labor Day.

While kids are enjoying the final days of summer vacation, here's a guide for parents and guardians to prepare for that first day.

One major change is in the free and reduced meal policy. The federal government implemented emergency rules at the start of the pandemic, allowing all students to receive free meals, and that continued through the last school year.

But now the policy has reverted to the previous rules, requiring families to apply for free or reduced meals based on income – unless your child's school qualifies for the community eligibility provision. Under that provision, about half the schools in the state will still be serving free meals to all students because a certain percentage of families in that school's attendance area receive federal food assistance.:

More:Fewer Delaware students will be receiving free lunches. Find out about the changes.

Districts continue to follow COVID-19 guidelines, but as of Aug. 5, there is no mask requirement in any district. Masks are optional. However, districts will be watching for any changes in announcements from the state and will relay news to parents and guardians.

Here's a rundown of when school begins in each district, the start and dismissal times along with other helpful info.

Appoquinimink School District 

First day

• Students in grades 1-9 and kindergarten with last names A-L, Tuesday, Sept. 6

• Students grades 10-12 and kindergarten with last names M-Z, Wednesday, Sept. 7

• Pre-K, Thursday, Sept. 8

School hours

This schedule is different from previous years and the 2022-23 academic year will be the first with the district’s revised arrival and dismissal times.

• Elementary schools and early childhood centers, Grades K-5, 9:10 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.

• Grades 6-8, 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

• Grades 9-12, 8:20 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Other things to know

Appoquinimink now has several district-owned buses for student transportation needs. Parents should check with schools for details about possible route changes.

Brandywine School District

First day

• Grades 1-6, 9 and 12: Aug. 29

• All K-12 students: Aug. 30

School hours

• Preschool: AM Bush School Half Day: 9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

• Preschool: PM Bush School Half Day: 1:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

• Preschool: ECAP Full Day: 9 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Elementary schools: 8:55 a.m. - 3:40 p.m.

• Middle schools: 8 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.

• High schools: 7:30 a.m. - 2:18 p.m.

Capital School District

First day

• Tuesday, Sept. 6, all schools

School hours

• Elementary schools, 8:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Middle schools, 8:10 a.m. to 2:52 p.m.

• High school, 7:25 a.m. with staggered ending times from 2:20 p.m. to 2:25 p.m.

• Kent County Community School, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

• Kent County Secondary Intensive Learning Center, 7:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.

Other things to know

The district is hiring bus drivers and bus aides. Training sessions for drivers are Aug. 15-16 and Aug. 29-30. Training for aides is Aug. 25. To register, call 302-857-4221.

Caesar Rodney School District

First day

• Tuesday, Aug. 23, all schools

School hours

• Kindergarten and elementary schools, 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

• Middle schools and high school, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Other things to know

The district has a new superintendent, Christine Alois, and a new principal at Fred Fifer III Middle School, Larry Friend.

Cape Henlopen School District

First day

Wednesday, Sept. 7

School hours

Christina School District

First day

• Grades 1-5, 6 and 9: Sept. 6

• Grades K, 7-8, 10-12: Sept. 7

• Pre-K: Sept. 12

School hours

There are no changes to school hours. They are posted on all school websites. The only changes made were to certain programs within the district.

The Brennen School moved their pre-K to the same hours as Christina Early Education Center.

Stubbs Early Education Center needed time for kindergarten students, preschool and pre-K programs.

Sarah Pyle Academy needed time for staff, teachers, and administrative duties; morning sessions will end earlier than the previous year.

Colonial School District

First day

• Grades 1-6 & 9, Monday, Aug. 29

• Grades 7-8, 10-12, Tuesday, Aug. 30

• Kindergarten students with last names A-L, Monday, Aug. 29 and Tuesday, Aug. 30

• Kindergarten students with last names M-Z, Wednesday, Aug. 31

School hours

• John G. Leach School/preschool, 8:05 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.

• The Colwyck Center, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Elementary school, 8:45 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.

• Middle school, 7:55 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.

• High school and the Wallin School, 7:20 a.m. to 1:50 p.m.

• Virtual program, 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Delmar School District

First day

• Tuesday, Sept. 6

School hours

• Delmar middle and high schools, 7:50 to 2:56 p.m.

Indian River School District

First day

• Grades K, 6 and 9 and the Howard T. Ennis School (excluding preschool), Tuesday, Sept. 6

• Grades 1-5, 7-8 and 10-12, Wednesday, Sept. 7

• Preschool programs, including Howard T. Ennis, Monday, Sept. 12

School hours

Lake Forest School District

First day

• Tuesday, Sept. 6, all schools.

School hours

• Elementary schools, 8:40 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

• Middle school and high school, 7:35 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Other things to know

Thursday, Sept. 1, is a half-day orientation for grades 4, 6 and 9 and a day for school visits for grades K-3 for students accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Laurel School District

First day

• Monday, Aug. 29

School hours

• North Laurel Early Learning Academy and Laurel Elementary School, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Laurel Middle School and High School, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Milford School District

First day

• Wednesday, Aug. 31

School hours

• Morris Early Childhood Center, 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Elementary schools, 7:35 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.

• Milford Central Academy, 8:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.

• Milford High School, 7:35 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.

New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District  

First day

• Grade 12 only, Thursday, Aug. 25

• Grade 11 only, Friday, Aug. 26

• Grade 10 only, Monday, Aug. 29

• Grade 9 only, Tuesday, Aug. 30

• All grades, Wednesday, Aug. 31

School hours 

• 8:10 a.m. to 2:59 p.m.

Polytech High School

First day

• Wednesday, Aug. 31

School hours

• 8:05 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Other things to know

For freshmen, “9th grade academy” orientation and laptop distribution will be Monday, Aug. 22, and Tuesday, Aug. 23, from 8-11:30 a.m. While optional, the administrators strongly encourage freshmen to attend both days.

For juniors and seniors who want to drive to school, parking pass applications are available on the Polytech website. The application deadline is Aug. 19.

Red Clay Consolidated School District

First day

• K-6 and 9: Aug. 29

• Grades 7, 8, 10-12: Aug. 30

School hours

Brandywine Springs School follows the middle school schedule. Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Conrad Schools of Science, and the IB Middle Years Programme at the John Dickinson School follow the high school schedule.

• Red Clay Early Years Program: 9 a.m. - 3:50 p.m.

• Elementary Schools: 9 a.m. - 3:50 p.m.

• Middle Schools: 8:05 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.

• High Schools: 7:25 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Seaford School District

First day

• Preschool and grades K, 3, 6 and 9, Wednesday, Aug. 24

• Grades 1-5, 7, 8 and 10-12, Thursday, Aug. 25

School hours

• Blades and West Elementary Schools, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Frederick Douglass and Central Elementary Schools, 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

• Seaford Middle and High Schools, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Smyrna School District

First day

• Tuesday, Sept. 6, all schools

School hours

• Elementary schools, 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. (walkers/car riders 3:40 p.m.)

• Intermediate schools and middle school, 8:05 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. (walkers/car riders 3 p.m.)

• High school, 7:20 a.m. to 2:20 p.m.

Other things to know

The district has a new superintendent, Susan P. Brown, who most recently served as executive director for curriculum, instruction and assessment for Harford County Public Schools in Bel Air, Maryland.

The district has partnered with the Greater Smyrna-Clayton Boys and Girls Club to provide before-school care at the club along with after-school care in the elementary and intermediate schools. For information, call 302-674-5249 or email sgump@bgclubs.org.

Sussex Technical High School

First day

• Grade 9, Monday, Aug. 29

• Grades 10-12, Tuesday, Aug. 30

School hours

• 8:30 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

Woodbridge School District

First day

• For grades 1-6, 9 and kindergarten “A,” Aug. 29

• For grades 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12, Aug. 30

• For kindergarten “B,” Aug. 31. No kindergarten “A” Aug. 31.

School hours

• Pre-K, 8-10:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• Grades K-5, 8:35 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

• Grades 6-12, 7:25 to 2:45 p.m.

Other things to know

For middle school sports, tryouts begin on the first day of school. Physicals must be dated on or after April 1, 2022, and be turned in by the first day of school for students to be allowed to practice.

High school sports start Aug. 15. Physicals must be dated on or after April 1, 2022, and be turned in by Aug. 8 for students to be allowed to practice.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware back-to-school guide. Start dates, COVID protocol and more