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Welcome to the Providence Public School District’s Back to School Hub for the 2023-24 school year. This webpage is designed to help answer the most common questions we hear from parents and guardians, direct you to any resources you may need, and help your students start the school year strong. 

We are excited to see your children in our classrooms this fall, and we appreciate all the support you give behind the scenes to help them succeed!

Yellow Buses for Elementary and Middle School students

For students who qualify for transportation (elementary students who live over a mile from their assigned school and middle school students who live over 1.5 miles from their assigned school) bus passes will be going out via mail starting Friday, August 18th 2023. Parents should be on the lookout for the postcard that contains their bus stop and designated times. If you have questions about the stop or do not receive your bus pass by August 30, 2023, please contact our transportation department at (401) 456-9269.

To ensure your student has been routed properly, please ensure your address is correct in Skyward. Your bus stop location is based off your address in Skyward. To ensure you receive real time updates, please verify your phone number is correct in Skyward. Communication is being sent to the primary phone number in skyward.

All updates in Skyward need to be completed with the clerk at your child’s school.

RIPTA Passes for High School students

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will have WAVE cards available for student riders. RIPTA offer bus passes to all Providence high school students who live one and a half miles or more from their high school. Providence Public Schools reached out to families earlier this month to confirm if students needed bus passes in preparation for the new school year. If you missed this message, you can find the form here . Parents must also complete a waiver form which can be and returned to transportation@ppsd.org.

Emergency Communications

We continue to strive for improving our communication during emergency situations to ensure families and staff receive real-time updates during any emergency incidents. As part of this improvement, this year we've moved to a platform that allows district-wide communication to be pushed out to families and staff. We will continue to follow the established procedures and welcome your feedback!

You may find our procedures here in English and in Spanish.

Q: What day does school start in Providence?

A: Classes for the 2023-24 school year start on Wednesday, September 6. You can find the full academic calendar for the 2023-24 school year here in multiple languages.

Q: What time does my child need to be at school?

A: Click here for bell times for the 2023-24 school year.

Q: Is it too late to register my child for school?

A: You can still register your child for the 2023-24 school year. Click here to learn more about registration.

Q: What school supplies does my student need?

A: Your student’s school should provide you with a list. Find contact information  for your child’s school here if you need a school supply list.

Q: Is there a district cell phone policy?

A: Yes, students are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day: /domain/253

Q: My student is anxious to return to school. Are there any social emotional resources available?

A: Yes, please reach out to the guidance team at your child’s school or refer to these helpful resources for helping children deal with anxiety or difficult situations:

Q: What are the eligibility requirements to obtain a RIPTA bus pass? 

• Students must reside at least one mile from their assigned school to be eligible for a RIPTA card. 

Q: When will my student receive their RIPTA card for the 2023-2024 school year? 

• Students will receive their RIPTA card in October 2023. Students will be allowed to ride the bus without a RIPTA card until further notice. 

Q: Do we have to re-register a RIPTA card every year? 

• Anytime students misplace their RIPTA card throughout the school year, they will be asked to register their new card to ensure funds continue moving with the student. 

Q: What if my student misplaces their RIPTA card midway through the month? 

• If your student misplaces their card midway through the month, the following actions will occur. 

  • The student should notify the school's clerk that he or she has lost their identification card. 

  • The clerk will then request a replacement card from the Transportation Department. 

  • The Transportation team will then send a request for verification to RIPTA to confirm that the student has a registered RIPTA Wave card. 

    • A replacement card will be issued within seven business days if the student has a registered card. 

    • If a student does not have a registered card, they must wait until the first of the following month to receive a replacement. 
      
      

Q: How do I register a RIPTA card?

1. Visit wave.ripta.com and click “Create Account.”

2. Enter your email, create a 4-digit PIN and password.

3. Click on “Add a Card” and follow the instructions.
   
   

Q: Will PPSD have access to my students' RIPTA ridership data? 

The Providence Public Schools strongly recommends that all student RIPTA usage data be shared for analysis purposes. Providence Public Schools will maintain the confidentiality of your student's RIPTA ridership data and will only use this information for analytical purposes. By granting PPSD access to this information, you acknowledge that this agreement will go into effect on the date specified above and remain in full force for the duration of your student's enrollment at Providence Public Schools.