As the summer break comes to an end, the Belton Independent School District (BISD) is gearing up for a successful start to the new academic year on August 16. To help parents and students prepare for the first day of school, the district has released essential information covering enrollment, calendars, bell schedules, Skyward Family Access, bus transportation, school meals, afterschool care, school supply lists, and the upcoming tax-free weekend.
Enrollment: Parents are urged to complete the returning student verification or new student enrollment process as soon as possible. Both processes can be conveniently submitted online at www.bisd.net/enrollment. For any specific questions or concerns, administrators at each child’s respective school are available to assist.
Calendars: Families are encouraged to print the academic calendar to keep track of important dates such as student holidays, early release days, bad weather makeup days, and reporting periods. Emphasizing the significance of regular attendance, the district emphasizes that missing just two days a month results in a child missing 10% of the school year.
Bell Schedules: Punctuality is stressed as being important for academic success. Parents should familiarize themselves with the bell schedules for the various schools in the district:
- Belton Early Childhood School: 7:40 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
- Elementary Schools: 7:35 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.
- Middle Schools: 8:10 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Belton High School and Lake Belton High School: 8:50 a.m. – 4:25 p.m.
- Belton New Tech @Waskow: 8:40 a.m. – 4:13 p.m.
- DAEP: 7:40 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Skyward Family Access: Parents can stay updated on their child’s academic progress and receive messages from teachers by accessing Skyward Family Access. This platform also allows viewing of report cards, requesting notifications, and setting Skylert (email) preferences. The website www.bisd.net/familyaccess can be bookmarked for easy access, or the mobile app can be downloaded for convenience.
Bus Transportation: No registration is required for students to ride the bus. Parents can verify route information online at www.bisd.net/transportation. After the initial days of school, student ID cards will be issued and will serve as bus passes.
School Meals: Families interested in Free and Reduced School Meals should submit applications starting August 1 at www.schoollunchapp.com. Additional information about menu prices and payment options can be found at www.bisd.net/nutrition.
Afterschool Care: Various local organizations offer afterschool care, some of which are available on the school campus. Parents can inquire about availability, registration, and costs with the following organizations:
- Armed Services YMCA: (254) 690-9622
- Belton Christian Youth Center: https://www.beltonyouth.com/
- Extreme Cheer & Tumble: (254) 780-0087
- Powerhouse Cheer: (254) 939-9900
- Ralph Wilson Youth Center: www.rwyckids.org
- Temple Parks and Recreation The Zone: (254) 298-5690
- Belton Education Station: (254) 933-2110
- Kids Zone Belton: (254) 939-1527
- Cadence Academy: (254) 791-2900
- Future Minds Childcare: (254) 613-4423
- Bear Hugs Learning Center: (254) 933-2803
School Supply List: Parents can find school supply lists at www.bisd.net/supplies. For those who ordered pre-packaged supplies, the packages will be delivered directly to their child’s classroom.
Tax-Free Weekend: Marking the annual sale tax holiday, Texas’ tax-free weekend is scheduled for August 11-13. During this period, most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks (sold for less than $100) can be purchased tax-free.
Events: Families are encouraged to follow their school’s social media accounts for details about back-to-school events, meet-the-teacher nights, new student information, parent orientations, and more. Emails from the campus principal will also provide additional information.
With this comprehensive guide, the Belton ISD community is well-equipped to ensure a smooth and successful start to the new academic year. The district looks forward to welcoming students back and fostering a year of growth and achievement for all.
Texas Reporter 