Superintendent’s Communication- 8.14.2026

Dear Students, Staff, and Families:

The countdown is on! New teacher orientation is just under a week away. We are excited for the start of the new year. We will be welcoming back Grades 1-9 on Wednesday, August 26th (no Early Release), with everyone back in school on Thursday, August 27th. Below, you’ll find some helpful information to help you start the year off right.

Opt-In Transportation: New for 2026

The Cumberland School Department will begin to utilize an opt-in process for all eligible bus riders.  The 2026-2027 school year will be a trial year before it goes live in the 2027-2028 school year.  This process is not about reducing service but about getting a more meaningful percentage of eligible riders. 

Ridership verification will take place 3 times per school year.  Dates that the ridership verification will take place will be released during the school year.  Attendance will be collected for 2 consecutive weeks.  Any student who has not ridden during these 2 weeks will be flagged.  Any flagged student’s family will receive an automated call and email.  Families will have 3 school days to confirm that transportation is still needed.  If there is no response, the student will be removed from the route. If at any time families would like their student returned to the route, parents will need to submit a request to the transportation department.  Students will be routed in approximately 3-5 school days.  

Please note, the walking distances per the E-2 Transportation Policy still apply for the opt-in process.  If you opt your student in and your home address falls within the policy guidelines, your student will not be routed.  

Once routes are complete, they will be uploaded onto the school department website by school.  Students’ bus numbers will be uploaded into the transportation tab in ASPEN.  You then pick the closest bus stop to your home address.

Below is a link to the transportation registration form for the 2026-2027 school year to opt your student in for busing.  A separate form must be submitted for each student you are registering.   

Cumberland School Department Transportation Registration Form 2026-2027

Any questions should be directed to transportation@cumberlandschools.org.

My School Bucks Update:

Important Notice from MySchoolBucks. Online meal payments are temporarily unavailable beginning July 1, 2026, due to changes mandated by a newly enacted Rhode Island law.  School meals can be purchased with cash in an envelope with your child’s LASID number or a check made out to Cumberland School Department with your child’s LASID number in the memo. Thank you for your patience as we work on a solution.

Helpful Links: