Leon County Schools hosted a book contest hearing for the first time in its history during the 2023-24 school year, introduced a new marketing campaign, and experienced one of the worst tornado outbreaks in county history – all major challenges for parents and students.
Another urgent reality is upon us:
School starts in a few days.
Students will return to classrooms on Monday, August 12. To help parents and students be prepared, here are some things to know before the first day:
Security
The district’s AI-powered gun detection and “puppy patrol” programs, in which Tango the dog searches bags for guns and other contraband, will continue next school year. School visitors must show their ID and sign in at the main office when visiting school premises.
Under a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis after this year’s legislative session, the district will extend its single entry policy and security staffing to after-school hours. This means the district’s current policy of entering and exiting all school grounds using only a single access route will be extended to all times that students are on campus.
According to security chief Jimmy Williams, all sporting events in the district will continue to require weapons detection and a clear bag policy.
School breakfast and lunch
All elementary students and now high school students receive free breakfast and lunch. The district has expanded its free meal program to Leon and Lincoln high schools starting this fall.
The federal free lunch reimbursement program was expanded to include these schools because they met the minimum quota of students receiving lunch at school.
All middle schools except Swift Creek, Montford and Deerlake offer free meals. These three schools are exempt because they do not serve enough students to meet the minimum quota.
For students who do not qualify for free or reduced lunch, the fee at the three middle schools is $2 for breakfast and $3 for lunch.
Would you like to volunteer? Here’s how
The district has 4,500 employees and has to serve about 30,000 students. Superintendent Rocky Hanna says they are outnumbered, and that’s where volunteers come in.
On Wednesday, LCS, along with the United Way of the Big Bend and Big Brothers and Big Sisters, hosted a press conference at WT Moore Elementary School to encourage community members to step forward as volunteers and mentors to support students.
LCS volunteer coordinator Kelli Walker said the district desperately needs multilingual mentors who speak Arabic, Korean, Spanish and Swahili.
To become a volunteer, visit https://volunteers.leonschools.net/ or call the district volunteer office.
New warning system
Following the May 10 tornadoes, the district implemented the Rapid Communications System to more effectively communicate with parents and teachers in the event of an emergency.
For parents, the software connects to the student’s Focus portal and sends notifications to available contacts. Parents who are not receiving messages should update their contact information in their student’s Focus portal.
The district will test the system on August 27, so parents are urged to register in advance.
Bus routes and stops
LCS has one opening for a bus driver and one for a bus assistant. All routes will remain the same as last year and if parents would like to request a stop, they can do so on the district website.
Leon County still offers its bus stop light program, so parents concerned about dark bus stops in the early morning hours can still request the installation of light poles.
All bus routes are subject to change, so parents are advised to check routes again in the days leading up to Monday.
If parents would like to contact the school bus stops, call (850) 488-7572 for the Appleyard Drive stop for all routes ending in “A.” For the Connor Lakes stop, which is for all routes ending in “C,” call (850) 922-6701.
Show current routes and stops:
More: Ongoing wish lists: What teachers in Leon County need – and how you can help
Also: Florida’s back-to-school sales tax-free period begins Monday and lasts 2 weeks
Alaijah Brown covers children and families for the Tallahassee Democrat. You can reach her at [email protected]Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
