Ben Franklin Career Center

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

08/25/2026

🚌🚨 Bus number or route number? Start with the letters.

Every KCS route begins with a **two-letter abbreviation** identifying the high school feeder area. The numbers that follow identify the specific route.

🔴 Example route magnets (one from each feeder area) are pictured below.

SA - St. Albans High School feeder area
RH - Riverside High School feeder area
NH - Nitro High School feeder area
SH - Sissonville High School feeder area
CH - Capital High School feeder area
HH - Herbert Hoover High School feeder area
GW - George Washington High School feeder area
SC - South Charleston High School feeder area

This applies to every route in that feeder area, even if your child attends an elementary or middle school.

📍 **The KCS route number tells students which bus to board.**
🚌 **The bus number identifies the physical vehicle.**

➡️ On the right side of the bus, the passenger-door side, the permanent bus number is displayed near the front. Directly behind that number, students will see one or more **white KCS Route Number magnets.**

Every route magnet has a **white background.** The route’s letters and numbers are printed in a color representing the high school for that feeder area. The color is an additional visual cue, but students should match their complete route...both the letters and numbers.

🔢 The permanent bus number must remain visible, which is why both numbers appear on the bus.

👀 What if a bus has several magnets?

That means routes have been combined or the bus is transporting students to another bus. Students should look for their assigned route among the displayed magnets and follow directions from school staff.

Why did KCS make this change?

The bus number stays with the physical vehicle, but the route number stays with the route. If a different bus is needed because of maintenance, a breakdown, or another transportation need, students can continue looking for the same route instead of having to learn a different bus number.

This reduces the number of afternoon changes students, families and staff must track and helps dismissal run more smoothly.

The easiest reminder:

🔵 Start with the letters. Find the white magnet. Match the complete route. 🔵

08/21/2026

Let’s talk all things KCS! Parents and guardians are invited to join KCS Superintendent, Dr. Paula Potter and school leaders for a town hall meeting from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the high school in their feeder area.

📅 Monday, August 24, 2026 - Sissonville Feeder Area
📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - Capital Feeder Area and Chandler
📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - St. Albans Feeder Area
📅 Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - Herbert Hoover Feeder Area
📅 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - George Washington Feeder Area
📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - Nitro Feeder Area
📅 Monday, September 14, 2026 - South Charleston Feeder Area and Ben Franklin
📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - Riverside Feeder Area and Carver

Bring your questions...we hope to see you there!

08/19/2026

The night before school has finally arrived
For some, it’s tomorrow; for others, close behind.
But all across KCS, a new year is in sight,
And first-day excitement is building tonight.

Backpacks are packed, or soon they will be.
There are teachers to meet and old friends to see.
The countdown is on, and plans are taking shape
For a year full of moments just waiting to be made.

Familiar hallways will fill once again
With footsteps and laughter and old and new friends.
There will be questions, discoveries and more,
With brand-new possibilities behind every door.

So rest up, KCS. This year is brand new,
With memories to make and great things to do.
Tomorrow or soon, when your first day begins,
We’ll be ready and waiting to welcome you in. 💙

08/17/2026

That feeling when the attendance excuse is submitted and you can get on with your morning. 🕺

When your student is absent, you have an online option...no early-morning phone call or paper note to keep track of.

📱 Find the attendance excuse form in the KCS app on your device.

💻 Or visit your child’s school website and select Attendance Form in the top-right corner of the homepage.

One less thing to handle before the coffee kicks in. ☕

08/17/2026

🎟️ KCS 65+ Tickets

Kanawha County residents age 65 and older can receive free admission to many school sporting events, concerts, musicals, plays and art shows with a KCS 65 and Older Club Card.

Applications and additional details are available on the KCS website. Some exclusions apply, including postseason playoffs and banquets.

08/17/2026

⏰ School Start and End Times for 2026–2027

Most KCS schools will follow the same schedule as last year, but start or dismissal times have changed at a few schools as part of updates to help bus routes flow more smoothly across the county.

Before the first day, please find your child’s school in the graphics below and double-check its start and end times...even if the schedule was the same last year.

Please note that these are school bell times, not when doors open for students. We’ll see our students Wednesday! 💙

08/13/2026

Have questions about exceptional student services? Today is a good day to get answers.

The Office of Exceptional Students Open House is happening today from 2–6 p.m. at the Edison Staff Development Center, 157 2nd Avenue in South Charleston. Families can find information about IEPs, 504s, transportation, speech services, OT/PT, behavioral support, technology and more.

Childcare is available, and free homework supplies will be offered while they last. Can’t attend in person? Use the QR code on the flyer to schedule a virtual appointment.

08/10/2026