Cape district school bells ring Sept. 4

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, more than 6,000 Cape Henlopen students will take their seats at one of the district’s 10 schools, as the new Frederick D. Thomas Middle School in Lewes will also welcome its first classes.

Cape’s third middle school, named after the district’s first African American administrator, was constructed on the site of the former Shields Elementary to alleviate crowding at Beacon and Mariner middle schools. The new building is led by Principal Dave Frederick and Assistant Principal Meghan Catts.

The academic calendar, elementary and middle school supplies, and bus pickup and drop-off times can be found 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 the first week of class.

Parents can also download the Where’s the Bus? app and create an account to have a real-time view of where the bus is on its route. For details, go to tinyurl.com/2snvnst9 or call 302-644-7900.

Meet-the-teacher nights have been scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 27 at all middle schools; Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Cape High; Thursday, Aug. 29 at all elementary schools; and Tuesday, Sept. 3 at Sussex Consortium Sweetbriar. Go to capehenlopenschools.com for details.

Students will have their first no-school day Tuesday, Sept. 10, the state primary voting day. The first school board meeting of the academic year is set for 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 12, at Rehoboth Elementary.

2024-25 school 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 pickup is at 3:50 p.m. and buses depart at 3:55 p.m.

All middle schools
Bus discharge is from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m., with student drop-off at 7:30 a.m. Students are considered tardy at 7:40 a.m. Student pickup 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. and students are considered tardy at 8:40 a.m. Student pickup 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. Students are considered tardy at 7:40 a.m. Student pickup is at 2:40 p.m., and buses depart at 2:45 p.m.