School bells ring in Cape district Sept. 7

When school bells ring Wednesday, Sept. 7, more than 6,200 Cape Henlopen students will begin their day at one of the district’s nine schools, and motorists are advised to be conscious of buses transporting children.

Until several years ago, Cape traditionally held its first day for students on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Supervisor of Human Resources Ned Gladfelter said waiting an extra day benefits students and staff.

“As the district continues to grow, the day was moved back to the Wednesday after Labor Day to allow time for the school staff and transportation department to better prepare for the school year to ensure that everything is ready for the students when they return to school on the first day,” Gladfelter said.

Cape school buses will join more than 1,800 other buses statewide transporting children to and from school, sporting events and field trips.

While Cape schools start after the summer’s busiest traffic ends, parents, students and motorists can take steps to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads.

While waiting for the bus, students should avoid horseplay that may cause them to fall into the street. When the bus arrives, children should wait until it stops, then cross in front of the bus so the driver can see them.

When exiting the bus, children should never run behind the bus or bend down to pick up an object.

Motorists must be aware of school buses on their routes. Drivers traveling in either direction on a two-lane road must stop when the bus’s flashing red lights and stop sign are activated. 

Drivers traveling in the same direction as a school bus on a four-lane, divided road must stop for a stopped school bus. Drivers traveling in the opposite direction are not required to stop.

Delaware Code states that anyone convicted of passing a stopped school bus can be fined as much as $230 and/or imprisoned up to 60 days for the first offense. For each subsequent offense occurring within three years, violators can be fined up to $575 and imprisoned up to six months. Violators will also have their licenses suspended for up to one year.

2022-23 start and end times

All elementary schools
Bus discharge 8:40 a.m., with parent drop-off from 8:35 to 8:55 a.m. Buses depart at 3:55 p.m.

Beacon and Mariner Middle Schools
Bus discharge 7:15 to 7:30 a.m., with parent drop-off at 7:30 a.m. Buses depart at 2:45 p.m.

Sussex Consortium
Bus discharge and parent drop-off at 8:30 a.m. Buses depart at 2:45 p.m.

Cape High
Bus discharge 7:20 to 7:35 a.m., with parent drop-off at 7:20. Buses depart at 2:45 p.m.