Back-to-School Information

August 5, 2022 – First day of school

GENERAL INFORMATION

PARENT TO DO

1. PARENT CONTACT INFO – Helping you stay connected to GCSAddress, phone, email changes?

__ Log into Skyward to change. or contact Central Registration, 574-971-4149

Instructions to access GCS Parent Apps including those listed below for parents are located here or at the top of every school website under PARENTS.
2. TRANSPORTATION

A. Parent Access
__ Login to TransAct the parent transportation portal.
__ Opt-Out of transportation for the 2022-23 School Year (Optional) –  All K-8 students are automatically registered for busing if they live outside a walk-zone.  If you do not need transportation for your K-8 student, you may OPT-OUT. Even though it is not required, opting out helps transportation with staffing and routing needs.
__ Opt-In for transportation for the 2022-23 School Year (Required) – All GHS students who need bus transportation.
__ Download BusQuest App – This app shows the location of your student’s bus in real-time.
B. Childcare/Before & After School Care Address
__If your student needs transportation to/from school from a location other than your home address, please contact transportation as soon as possible. Email transportation@goshenschools.org or 574-533-7176.

3. REGISTRATION – More information here

Have a new Kindergarten student?
__ Register them right away at this link.
Have an In-District Transfer student?
__ Complete this form each year.

4. FILL OUT  FREE & REDUCED ASSISTANCE APPLICATION  – More information here

__ (Preferred Method) Complete the 2022-23 Assistance Application for Meals and Curricular Materials starting July 11, 2022.  This system is secure, convenient, time-saving and available in multiple languages.
__Paper applications are located here. When we receive your paper application, it gets manually entered into our online software system.

 

We strongly encourage ALL families to complete the Free & Reduced Application even if you think you will not qualify.  Doing this gives assistance to everyone who needs it and will help determine the needs of each school.

 

5. CURRICULAR MATERIALS RENTAL (CMR) – More information here

  • You must submit a Free & Reduced Application to receive a reduction in your students’ curricular materials fees.
  • Families may be directly certified for free or reduced-price meals and CMR fees through SNAP and TANF. However, if families do not fill out a new (2022-23) application, they will not qualify for assistance with curricular materials and will be charged for books, device rental, etc.
    • CMR Fees can range from $159.00 to $500 or more – K-6 Grade fees are set at an annual amount and 7-12 Grade fees are determined by the classes that the student takes, which creates a range of fees for those grade levels.  Those fees can change each semester; again, based on the classes that the student takes.
  • CMR fees become due in November and payments may be made online, or paid by cash or check through your school bookkeeper. Payment plans are also an option, you simply need to speak to your school bookkeeper.

6. SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Elementary schools have reduced the number of supplies that students are required to provide.  In general, K-6 students should bring the following:

  • Gym shoes
  • Headphones/earbuds
  • Boxes of tissue for classroom

Parents can get more information at Back-To-School Nights which will be announced at a later date. Teachers may also send wish-lists home for supplies needed for the class.

Grade 7-12 classes and necessary supplies will vary. Students may want to wait to purchase supplies until after classes begin.