Just four days left before the 2016-2017 Charlotte-Mecklenburg school year begins on Monday, August 29th. From the CMS website, here's everything you need to know about getting your children ready for the 2016-2017 school year. (Don't forget that CMS also provides all sorts of helpful tips and district news on their Facebook page and Twitter account. CMS also has a mobile app that you might find handy. )

And no need to stress about the start of the new school year... check out nine great tips to getting the school year off to a great start below, as well as the link from Care.com, providing 101 back-to-school tips!

Important Contact Information

Parent Checklist

Student assignment

Register students who are new to CMS
Families may enroll students at their home school. Click here for information on enrolling new students.

Update your address if needed
Make sure your schools have the most current address and phone number for your family.

Make sure your children have all required vaccinations and physicals

Starting this year, parents/guardians must submit proof of a health assessment for each child entering North Carolina public schools for the first time. The health assessment must have been completed within the previous 12 months. For more information about the new NC health assessment requirement, click here. For other information about vaccinations and physicals, click here​.​

Check your transportation information

Families may have already received, or will soon receive,​ bus stop pick-up and drop-off times in the mail.​Make sure you review your bus stop location and time – some bus stops may have changed.

Once you receive your schools' bus schedules, it is important to review them with your children. Parents are encouraged to walk to and from the assigned bus stop, especially with elementary students.  

Please inform and update any address change at your child’s school immediately. Transportation must have the current address to ensure safe and accurate bus stop assignments for eligible students.

If your child will require a pick-up or drop-off at an address that is not your home address, you must apply for tha​​t service each year by filling out the alternate stop form.  

If you have a question about transportation, call 980-343-6715. 

Know your childrens' school bell times

Students should be in school and ready to learn when the school bell rings. View the 2016-2017 bell schedule​. 

9 TERRIFIC BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS

FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

1. Visit your childrens' schools                                        
   
   
2. Introduce yourself to your children's teachers
3. Make homework a priority
4. Prepare a study area
5. Take control over tv watching
6. Get your children to bed on time and establish a set schedule for bedtime and wake-up time
7. Prepare/plan healthy meals and snacks
8. Get health check-ups for your children and update their medical records
9. Read with your children every day

For more information about back-to-school tips from the US Department of Education, click here. And if these nine tips aren't quite enough, check out the 101 Back-to-School Tips from Care.com to help your children start off the new school year right!