School News

 

July 21, 2026

Dear Hodge Road Families,

Welcome to an exciting new school year at Hodge Road Magnet Elementary! It is truly an honor to partner with you as we begin another year of learning, growth, and opportunity. At Hodge Road, we believe that every child deserves a community of adults who believe in them, challenge them, and cheer them on every step of the way.

This year, our school community is united around one powerful commitment: One Team. One Goal—Every Student's Success. That goal belongs to all of us. When families, students, and staff work together with a shared purpose, there is no limit to what our children can achieve. 

Our vision is to be a school where students thrive, teachers excel, and families are valued. We invite you to be an active partner in your child's educational journey by staying connected, communicating openly, and celebrating both the big and small victories along the way. Your involvement makes a lasting difference, and together we will continue building a school community where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to succeed.

As we gear up for the new school, I want to share some important information. 

 

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES First through Fifth

Thursday, July 30^th, is the first day of school for students in grades 1^st-5^th grades. 

 

STAGGERED START FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS

Kindergartners will start school on a staggered schedule between Thursday, July 30th through Monday, August 3rd. Your child will come to school on ONE of these days. This day has been scheduled and communicated to families. If you are unsure of your child’s staggered entry day, please call the main office. The purpose of staggered start is to provide our kindergartners an opportunity to get to know the school environment in a smaller group setting. 

The first day of school for all kindergarten students is Tuesday, August 4^th. 

 

MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT

Back-to-School Carnival & Meet the Teacher Night on Tuesday, July 28, from 5:30–7:30 PM., and join us for an unforgettable evening as we kick off the new school year! Families are invited to meet their child's teacher, explore the classroom, receive important back-to-school information, connect with the PTA and community partners, and enjoy a fun-filled carnival experience featuring live performers, Sir PAWS, festive photo opportunities, hot dogs and chips, and an interactive scavenger hunt where students can earn carnival tickets for exciting prizes.

 

CLASS LISTS

Class lists will be posted in the building on the evening of the Back-to-School Carnival. Please note, due to students enrolling or withdrawing after the first day of school, classroom assignments are always tentative through the 20^th day of school (the state requires a final count for enrollment on the 20^th day of school). Your child’s classroom assignment will not be changed unless it is absolutely necessary, and your support and understanding is needed if such changes become unavoidable. You will be notified immediately if such a circumstance were to arise. 

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

We are fortunate this year to be able to provide all essential school supplies for all students. Families will need to supply a bookbag, over-the-head headphones, and a box of tissues. Grade levels have created a Wish List for families who are willing to donate additional items to the classroom. Wish lists can be found on our school website or using this link https://www.wcpss.net/domain/4889. They will also be available during the Back-to-School Carnival. 

 

SCHOOL BREAKFAST/LUNCH

Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students this year through a renewed grant.

 

VISITOR SIGN-IN & STUDENT SIGN-OUT PROCESS

The safety of our students and staff is our #1 priority. All visitors (parents, community members, etc.) MUST FIRST report to the office when entering the building. A Photo ID is required to sign-out students and to enter the building beyond the main office. Visits to the classroom are by appointment only. Appointments need to be scheduled with the classroom teacher and authorized by administration. This is necessary to protect the integrity of instruction and avoid disruption to the learning environment.

 

SCHOOL HOURS/ ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

School instructional hours are 8:30am- 3:00pm. Arrival begins at 8:00. The tardy bell rings at 8:30. Students arriving after 8:30 are considered tardy and must be signed in by a parent or guardian in the office. There is no adult supervision prior to 8:00, therefore students are not to be dropped off before 8:00am unless they are enrolled in Before School Care. There are no student check-outs between 2:30- 3:00. This is to ensure our dismissal process is done safely and efficiently with the least amount of office visitors. Please plan appointments accordingly. 

 

If you are driving your child to school, you MUST use the carpool line for drop off. Please do not drop off prior to 8:00 a.m. or anywhere outside of the carpool line. 

 

CARPOOL 

If you wish to pick up your child in carpool, you will need to display a Hodge Road carpool tag from your rear-view mirror.  Carpool tags will be available during the Back-to-School Carnival and anytime during main office hours. Tags can be issued to a family at any-time during the school year. If your tag is lost or damaged, make sure to notify the main office so we can provide you with a new tag. Please help your child memorize their carpool tag number right away to help facilitate a timely loading process. 

 

Maximizing instructional time is critical. The end of the instructional day is 3:00. Students will begin heading to their dismissal locations at 3:00. Carpool release will begin at approx. 3:05pm and end by 3:30.  

 

For the safety of your child, students will only be dismissed to parents/ guardians in vehicles, therefore, please refrain from walking up to the gym doors.  For obvious safety reasons, we thank you for refraining from talking on the phone or texting while operating a vehicle on campus. To expedite the loading process, students will be escorted in and out of the car on the passenger side. If your child is not able to exit/enter the car on the passenger side, you will need to assist them. 

 

CARPOOL STAFF

The start of the instructional day is 8:30. Instructional staff supervise carpool. Once the tardy bell rings at 8:30 they are instructed by the principal to close the carpool line and enter the building to begin their instructional duties. If you pull in the lot after 8:30, please do not drop your child off at the curb where there is no adult supervision. You will need to bring your child to the office, and sign them in so they receive a tardy slip before heading to the classroom. This ensures we have accounted for all students and your child is not marked absent after attendance has been taken.  

 

WALKERS

Parents must sign a letter granting their child permission to walk home. Walkers in grades PreK-1st will be dismissed around 3:15 and escorted to the crosswalk on Mingo Bluff Blvd where parents/guardians/responsible older sibling must meet students before they are released. Students in grades 2nd-5th will be dismissed around 3:20 and escorted to the crosswalk on Mingo Bluff Blvd. Students will then be released to walk on their own. If you do not want your 2nd-5th grader to walk independently you will need to sign up for carpool. All staff and students are expected to use the sidewalks and crosswalks for safety reasons.  

 

**Important Transportation Guidelines**

For any planned changes to your child’s transportation, please send a written note with your child—verbal requests from children will not be accepted for safety reasons. If an emergency requires a change, call the main office as soon as possible but no later than 2:00 PM; do not message teachers directly via Dojo or email, as they may be teaching and miss the message. The office will promptly notify staff of any changes to avoid delays with buses and transportation.

 

BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE

The Before and After School Programs are available at Hodge. Registration can be completed during the Back-to-School Carnival or in the main office during the school year. The $15 registration fee and completed application must be completed before the first day of your child attending the program. During the Meet the Teacher Carnival, you will have the opportunity to meet the coordinators of each program and receive additional information. 

 

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Bus routes are created at the district level and will be available during our Back-to-School Carnival. The WCPSS Transportation Department has shared bus information with families. Families can find updated transportation information (including route number and stop location) in your child’s Infinite Campus account. Sign up for an account in the school. Bus stops are designated by the Transportation Department and drivers must adhere to the established route and stops unless changes have been approved. 

 

Please allow15 minutes before and after assigned time for pick-up and drop-off during the first few weeks of school. This will allow drivers time to make whatever route adjustments necessary to maximize their route.  

 

All pre-k, kindergarten, and first grade students must have an adult at the bus stop to receive the child in the afternoon per Wake County Public Schools’ Policy. Students will be returned to school if there is not an adult present at the stop.

 

For the safety of all, students are required to follow certain rules to maintain the opportunity to use this service.  See bus code of conduct here: 

https://www.wcpss.net/u/~board/family-resources/post/bus-procedures-safety-code-of-conduct

 

Per Wake County Public Schools’ Policy, ALL bus riders will be issued a bus pass (tag) on the first day of school. These will be attached to their backpacks. PLEASE DO NOT remove them as they will not be allowed to board the bus without this tag. This is for the safety of your children. 

 

Questions or concerns related to routes, bus stops, schedules, driver concerns, or student behavior should be directed to Greg Lentine, Assistant Principal, at (919) 266-8599.

 

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION 

There are many ways to support learning and teaching at Hodge Road. For you to be able to volunteer in the school, classroom, or serve as a chaperone during a field trip, you must register at any Wake County Public School site. The district contracts with an outside vendor to run criminal background checks on all volunteers to ensure a safe school environment. Use this link to register Login. 

Thank you for trusting us with your greatest gift—your child. We are excited for all that this school year will bring, and we look forward to accomplishing great things together because we are One Team with One Goal: Every Student's Success. Together, We Are Hodge Road Strong! #1Team1Goal

 

In Partnership,

 

Felecia Dorsey

Principal

HodgeRoadStrong

#1Team1Goal

 

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