JCPS parents, students and staff prepare day before classes begin

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The first day of school is almost here for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) students.

Parents, students and staff all used Wednesday to prepare for the big day.

Thursday morning over 90,000 students across the city will head back to schools like Fern Creek, Ballard, Central and Butler high schools. So, Wednesday night, you could say, parents and students are going over "the game plan.”

Lauren Muir is going over some last minute back to school instructions with her twins, who are fifth graders at Stopher.

"So letting them know that we're gonna have to get up earlier than normal, and this year, really earlier than normal because our school time started a little bit earlier. So I think the bus comes like 7:45," Muir said.

"We are so excited to welcome our families back and we've put a lot of work into it," JCPS Spokesperson Carolyn Callahan said. "So, we can't wait to have those smiling faces back in our schools."

"I know there's some butterflies and excitement but it's important that your child has a good night's sleep, have some food in the morning, a reminder that all JCPS students can receive free breakfast and free lunch at every JCPS school again this year," Callahan said.

And Callahan reminds parents, words matter.

"Talk positively about school," Callahan said. "Get your child excited that they're going back they're going to see their friends again, they're going to see their teachers and they're going to learn because that's the most important thing. So just help them be excited to be going back to school."

And finally, if your child is a bus rider, don't forget to double check bus teller.

"Yes, even on the morning of the first day of school because there is a possibility that there's a slight change, maybe a five-minute time shift to your pickup time as things continue to update or a change in a bus number," Callahan said.

"I've checked the new bus app," Muir said. "Everything was on there, so that that was great."

Muir plans to double check the app and expects to have a lot of company at the bus stop in the morning.

"It's always funny, the first day of school at the beginning of the neighborhood is where the bus comes," Muir said. "There's always 10 to 15 families outside all helping each other navigate things, getting on the bus."

JCPS officials said they will be at command central until the last student is dropped off after school on Thursday.

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JCPS parents, students and staff prepare day before classes begin