The 2008-2009 school year will get underway for St. Ignace Area Schools students and staff Tuesday, September 2. All students, kindergarten through 12 grade, will attend a half-day session Tuesday, September 2, rather than a full day, as previously reported. Dismissal will be at 11:45 a.m.

Kindergarten through 6th grade students will start each day at 8:10 a.m., and 7th through 12th grade students will start at 8:05 a.m. Classes will dismiss at 2:55 p.m. for kindergarten through 6th grade students, and 3 p.m. for 7th through 12th grade students on full days.

Parents who transport their students to school are asked to get their children there 10 minutes before the start of classes. School doors will open at 7:30 a.m. daily.

Parents of kindergarten students have been sent a letter regarding a specific schedule for their child. Those who have not registered their child for the 2008- 2009 school year are asked to call 643-8500 to arrange to do so. Immunizations must be up to date to allow attendance in public school.

The school breakfast program will begin the first day of school.

The school lunch program will begin for all students Tuesday, September 2. Lunch prices for the 2008-2009 school year are $2.05 for elementary and middle school students, and $2.35 for high school students. Class lists for students kindergarten through 6th grade are posted on the school doors.

Athletic event prices for the 2008-2009 school year will be as follows: Middle School/Freshman Contests: $4 for adults, $3 for students, and $12 for a family ticket. High school junior varsity and varsity events will be $5 for adults, $4 for students, and $15 for a family ticket. A season pass will be $80 for students, $100 for adults, and $200 for families.

Bus schedules for the school year will be as follows:

John Beaudoin, Bus 01, will be driving the St. Ignace Township routes, with the first pickups in the Pine River area at about 6 a.m., and ending on Lant Road at 7:35 a.m. Includes Reservation pickups.

David Crisp, Bus 05, will pick up at Worth Road, Brevort, US-2, Gros Cap, Pte. LaBarbe Road, North Portage, Woods Road, Cedar Lane, and South Portage, starting at 6:30 a.m.

Sandy Thorin, Bus 05A, will be driving the south City area starting at 7 a.m. at W745 Portage, corners of Burdette and Hombach streets, Hamlin and Medora streets, 1038 South State, corners of State and Graham, White Pine and Graham, Bridgeview Apartments and Church, Church and Bertrand, Church Street just before Spruce Street, corner of Church and Keightley, bottom of Church Street hill, past intersection, 180 Church Street, corner of Truckey and Marley, top of Marley hill, 235 and 150 E. Spring Street, and 109 Joseph Street.

Frank Beaudoin, Bus 97, will be driving the Brevort Township area starting at 6:15 a.m. on Wartella Road, ending on Cheeseman Road.

Randy Gustin, Bus 02, will be driving the North City route, including Evergreen Shores, with pickups starting at 6:50 a.m. on St. Clair Trail and ending on First Street.

Parents are urged to bring their kindergarten students the first day and walk them into the school. They will be made aware of bus schedules at that time.

Questions regarding the above information should be directed to the specific principal's office: High School, Don Gustafson at 643-8800, Middle School (5th grade through 8th grade), Gregg Fettig at 643-7822, and Elementary School (Kindergarten through 4th Grade), Kari Visnaw at 643- 8500.