Your Sacramento back-to-school guide: Later starts, free supplies and COVID safety

School buses are getting ready to rev their engines as the 2022-2023 academic year is set to begin in Sacramento soon.

But before you rush your kids off to campus, here’s what to know.

School times are pushed back

You can expect to get a little bit more time to sleep in this school year.

Schools throughout California will be starting later in the morning in compliance with a new state law.

Signed in Oct. 2019, Senate Bill 328 prohibits California middle schools from starting before 8 a.m. and high schools from beginning before 8:30 a..m. This follows studies that young people are happier and perform better when they have more sleep.

While the law does not specify elementary schools, some districts may change their start times.

Click here to see when class begins for Sacramento school districts.

Forget lunch money

If you forgot your lunch money on the first day of school, don’t worry, it’s on the Department of Education.

California’s Department of Education is implementing a Universal Meals Program for all public schools in the state. Kids, regardless of income status or eligibility for free or reduced programs, can get free breakfast and lunch.

The program covers students in state public school districts, county offices of education and charter schools that teach students in transitional kindergarten to grade 12.

Read more about the program here.

Get your free supplies

As with most items during inflation, you might find your back-to-school shopping creating a pit in your wallet.

The city of Sacramento and several community-based organizations are holding back-to-school supply drives where you can find backpacks, shoes and other school items for free.

See here which events are still available in August.

COVID-19’s still here

This year marks the second year of the return of in-person classes, following COVID-19 shut downs in 2020. But COVID’s still circulating.

In Sacramento County, the average case rate is 20.2, as of Aug. 13, according to the COVID dashboard.

Local public health officials are monitoring case numbers and hospitalizations to see what safety protocols to enforce in this school year.

Click here to see what parents should expect for COVID-19 safety as California schools start their sessions.

Face masks are strongly recommended in some Sacramento districts. You can also see here what restrictions are still in place in Sacramento schools.

Have the back to school blues?

School might be starting soon, but there’s still some fun summer events for the rest of August and early September.

Visit this story for family-friendly events in Sacramento you and your kids can enjoy before school starts.