Summer break ends as Bullitt County Schools welcome students back

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Students in Bullitt County Public Schools are back in the classroom.

Bus drivers started arriving before 5 a.m. on Tuesday to warm up their buses and get ready for the day. BCPS Director of Transportation David Phelps said they have around 120 bus drivers this school year, and while they have built up their staff mostly since Covid, they are still looking for more.

The first students got picked up right around 6 a.m. and headed to their designated schools to kick off the first day of the 2025-26 school year.

A new cell phone policy will be implemented this school year. Phones may be brought to school, but they have to be turned off and stored in a backpack, purse, or computer bag. BCPS elementary and middle school students are not allowed to use phones at any point during the day, but high school students can use their phones during lunchtime.

Bullitt Central High School Principal Joe Pat Lee said he has talked to several students and their thoughts on it were surprising.

"They said they're kind of looking forward to it since they are so consumed by their phones," Lee said. "They're looking forward to that break."

Student drivers will also find more parking spaces available at Bullitt Central High School, as they opened a brand new, paved lot this year. Principal Lee said construction over the years had caused parking spaces to be limited, so the addition was needed to add to the safety of the students.

Faculty, staff, and bus drivers have spent the summer prepping and organizing to make sure the transition into the school year is as easy and smooth as possible for all students.

Bullitt County Schools Calendar

Calendar:
- Start Date: Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025
- Labor Day: Monday, Sept. 1 (No school)
- Bullitt Day: Tuesday, Sept. 2 (No school)
- Fall Break: Monday, Oct. 6, to Friday, Oct. 10
- Bullitt Day: Monday, Oct. 13 (No school)
- Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, Nov. 26, to Friday, Nov. 28
- Christmas Break: Monday, Dec. 22, to Friday, Jan. 2, 2026
- Bullitt Day: Monday, Jan. 5 (No school)
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday: Monday, Jan. 19 (No school)
- Professional Development Day: Monday, Feb. 9 (No school)
- Professional Development Day: Monday, Feb. 16 (No school)
- Bullitt Day: Monday, Mar. 9 (No school)
- Spring Break: Monday, Apr. 6 to Friday, Apr. 10
- Bullitt Day: Monday, Apr. 13 (No school)
- Oaks Day: Friday, May 1 (No school)
- Professional Development Day: Monday, May 19 (No school)
- Last day for students: Friday, May 22, 2026
To view the district's full calendar, click here