Kindergarten Transportation Information

At Forestville Elementary, we understand that riding the school bus is a big step for our kindergarteners! Our trained professionals are dedicated to ensuring a safe and smooth transition for your child.

Who Are Our School Bus Drivers?

Our school bus drivers are highly trained professionals who prioritize student safety every day. Each driver:

• Holds a commercial driver’s license in compliance with federal regulations.
• Successfully completes the FCPS bus driver training course and is recertified every five years.
• Is CPR and First Aid certified, with recertification every two years.

How Does Transportation Support Kindergarteners?

• The bus driver is the first school staff member to greet your child each day, providing a safe and welcoming ride.
• Kindergarten students learn bus safety and appropriate behavior with the support of their driver and older peers.
• Kindergarteners ride a regular school bus from their neighborhood bus stop.

How Do Bus Drivers Identify Kindergarteners?

Yellow Duct Tape!
A piece of yellow duct tape is placed on your child’s backpack strap at the beginning of the school year. This visual cue helps drivers and substitutes easily identify kindergarten students and provide extra assistance when needed.

Big Bus Procedures for Kindergarteners

• Adult Pickup Required: An adult or a responsible middle school (or older) sibling must meet the child at the bus door and ask for them by name—no exceptions.
• First On, First Off: Kindergarteners board first and exit first to ensure a smooth transition.
• Front Seat Placement: Kindergarteners sit at the front of the bus, where drivers and patrols can help monitor interactions.
• Safe Behavior Expectations: All students must remain seated and use classroom-appropriate behavior and voice levels.

General Transportation Information

• Bus Assignments: Parents will not receive a call from the driver. Instead, bus information will be available in ParentVUE in August.
• Daycare Transportation: If your child attends before or after-school daycare, the facility must be within the school or program boundary for bus transportation eligibility.

We appreciate your partnership in making sure our youngest learners have a safe and successful start to their school journey!

School Meals & Payment Information

Forestville Elementary offers daily breakfast and lunch for students who wish to purchase a meal.

Meal Prices:

• Student Breakfast: $1.75
• Student Lunch: $3.25

Payment Options:

Families have three convenient ways to pay for school meals:

1. Online: Load funds to your child’s account through MySchoolBucks.
2. Check: Payable to Forestville Food Services.
3. Cash: Accepted in the cafeteria.

For easy meal purchases, we encourage families to use MySchoolBucks to manage and add funds to their child’s account.

Stay Connected with Forestville Elementary

We keep families informed through multiple communication channels:

• LIME Folders: Sent home weekly with important class and school updates.
• Weekly Class Newsletters: Stay updated on classroom activities and learning highlights.
• Email Updates: Regular messages from teachers and school staff.
• News You Choose: Sign up for customized school and FCPS updates.
• eNotify: Used for urgent and critical school communications.

Stay engaged and informed to support your child's success!

The Forestville Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) welcomes you and your family! The PTA is an all-volunteer organization consisting of our general membership of parents and teachers, as well as an Executive Board. We are excited to be starting another school year by supporting all of the wonderful educational opportunities the school provides. We hope you will join us in volunteering and finding ways to support your child’s growth at Forestville!

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