Filling in the blanks

HERE ARE some frequently asked questions to help families navigate the first day of school for students in traditional public schools. For additional information, contact your child's school or visit the district's website, www.philasd.org.

Q: What time does school start?

A: Schools can start as early as 7:30 a.m. for high school students and as early as 8:30 a.m. for elementary-school pupils. If uncertain about the start time for your child, contact the school.

Q: Will the district provide transportation for my child?

A: Yellow bus service and SEPTA TransPasses will be available to students, depending on age and distance from school. Students in high school living more than 1 1/2 miles from their schools will be given weekly TransPasses by their schools. If students live less than 1 1/2 miles from their schools, they must get to school on their own.

Students are eligible for yellow bus pickup if they are in first to sixth grades and live 1 1/2 miles or more from the assigned school. Students in grades one through eight whose route to school is determined to be hazardous by the PennDOT are also eligible.

Q: Will today be a full day of school for students?

A: Yes.

Q: What about lunch?

A: Free breakfast and lunch will be served to students on the first day of school, regardless of income. No paperwork is required.

Q: My child is starting kindergarten. Is today the first day of school for kindergarten, too?

A: No. The first day of kindergarten is Sept. 17.

Q: I never registered my child for school. What should I do?

A: Call or go to your local neighborhood school. To find your school, visit the district's website and go to the School Finder banner on the main page, or call 215-400-4000.

Q: If I don't want my child to go to the school where he or she has been assigned, or I have some other questions or problems on the first day of school, who should I call?

A: Call the district at 215-400-4000.