Welcome Back, Great Bridge Primary Families!
August 24, 2026
Dear Great Bridge Primary Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Great Bridge Primary! Whether your child is joining us for the very first time or returning as a Great Bridge Wildcat, we are so excited to welcome you back! It is an incredible honor to serve as the principal of Great Bridge Primary, and I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with you as we begin another year of learning, growth, and connection.
I am thrilled to serve alongside our Assistant Principal, Ms. Latashia Baker-Hardison, and our dedicated team of teachers and staff. Together, we are committed to creating a school where every child feels known, valued, supported, and excited to come to school each day.
This year, we are embracing the theme “Time to SHINE!” At Great Bridge Primary, we believe every child has something special to SHINE. We will encourage our Wildcats to Show kindness, Have courage, Include others, Never give up, and Exceed expectations. Our goal is not simply for students to learn, but for them to discover their strengths, build confidence, develop independence, and believe in what they are capable of accomplishing.
As a primary school, we have the wonderful responsibility of helping children build the foundation for their entire educational journey. Those first experiences with school matter. We want our Wildcats to feel safe taking risks, excited about learning, proud of their accomplishments, and confident that the adults around them believe in them.
We also know that children thrive when schools and families work together. Your partnership is an essential part of your child's success. Please stay connected with your child's teacher, communicate with us when you have questions or concerns, and celebrate your child's growth along the way. We welcome your ideas, your involvement, and your partnership as we work together to make Great Bridge Primary a place where every child can shine.
I also want to encourage you to become involved with our Great Bridge Primary PTA. I have already had the opportunity to begin working with our PTA, and I am excited about the wonderful things they are planning for our students and families this year. There are many ways to participate, whether you have a lot of time to give or simply want to support our school through membership and events. Our school is stronger when our families are involved!
Please take some time to review the important information below. I know there is a great deal to read, but these details will help your family begin the school year prepared and confident.
Most importantly, know that we are excited to welcome your family to Great Bridge Primary. We are ready for a wonderful year filled with learning, laughter, friendships, and countless opportunities for our Wildcats to SHINE!
I look forward to seeing you soon and to making the 2026–2027 school year our best year yet!
With Wildcats Pride,
Allison Taylor, Principal
Great Bridge Primary
Latashia Baker-Hardison, Assistant Principal
Great Bridge Primary
Important Back-to-School Information
Class Assignments
Your child’s class assignment for the 2026–2027 school year should be available in ParentVUE
by August 31. Use your ParentVUE app or log in using this link: ParentVUE Login
If you need assistance, please call Great Bridge Primary at 757-547-1135. Class assignments will not appear if your registration is incomplete.
Meet and Greet — September 3
This year, school begins with a Meet and Greet opportunity. Families are encouraged to stop by, meet your child's teacher, become familiar with the building, and drop off school supplies. There is no formal program scheduled, so families may drop in during their chosen window of time. Due to space limitations, we encourage families to bring only one adult. Time slots are assigned by the beginning letter of your student’s last name.
September 3, 2026 Meet and Greet Schedule:
Last name: A-G 8-8:45 a.m. H-O 9-9:45 a.m. P-Z 10-10:45
Online Student Verification in ParentVUE
All families should log into ParentVUE and verify their contact information. We use the information in ParentVUE to contact you in an emergency and to communicate school events and periodic updates. Please make sure we have your most current contact information.
Synergy ParentVUE
Communication between home and school is essential for children to be successful. All previously activated ParentVUE accounts will continue to be operational. Parents without an activated account will receive activation information in the coming days.
ParentVUE allows parents to:
● Monitor their child's academic progress
● Stay connected to classroom information
● Receive class newsletters and group emails
● Report student absences
● Stay informed about important school information
We welcome you to be an active member of our team for your child’s benefit.
CPS Student Handbook and Conduct Guidelines
You will receive access to the Chesapeake Schools Student Handbook through ParentVUE or StudentVUE. Parents must acknowledge receipt of the handbook through ParentVUE.
Student Medication
If your child takes daily medication or has “as-needed” medication that you would like available during the school day, please have your child’s doctor complete the required order. Our School Health Advisor, Ms. Ryan Hill, R.N., is happy to assist you with this process.
Email: ryan.hill@cpschools.com
Phone: 757-547-1135
Required forms are available through the CPS Health Services webpage:
All medication brought to school must be in its original container or prescription bottle and may never be brought to school by a child.
Personal Communication Devices (PCDs)
In an effort to provide the most positive and purposeful educational environment for our students, School Board Policy 9-20.1 ensures that classrooms, hallways, and other instructional spaces at GBP are personal communication device-free zones. During the instructional day, personal communication devices such as phones, watches, laptops, and other devices with Wi-Fi or cellular capabilities must be off and away. PCDs are not to be kept on the person or in the clothing of students during the school day.
School Supplies
Our school supply lists are available on the Great Bridge Primary website: GBP Supply List
Families are encouraged to bring school supplies to Meet and Greet on September 3rd.
Student Identification Cards
In the coming days, all students will be issued a student ID card. This card will be used in several ways at GBP, including:
● Library check-out
● Cafeteria lunch lines
● Boarding and exiting the school bus
● Late arrival check-in
● Early dismissal check-out
Students must wear their ID card at all times as part of our school safety protocols. Please encourage your child to treat their ID card with care. Students will receive a breakaway lanyard provided by the PTA. If your student prefers to wear their badge on a different lanyard, the lanyard MUST be breakaway for safety reasons. All students need to wear their badges throughout the school day. If broken, the badge will be replaced. If the badge is lost, the student will be charged $5 for a replacement badge.
Kindergarten and Pre-K “4 Card System” for Bus Transportation
All Chesapeake schools use a 4-card identification system for Kindergarten and Pre-K bus pick-up and drop-off. This system helps eliminate confusion regarding who is authorized to receive students from the bus stop. Parents will receive four matching ID cards:
● One card for the student to wear to and from school each day
● Three cards for parents to designate to authorized individuals
When the bus arrives at the stop in the afternoon, an authorized adult with a matching ID card must be present to receive the student. Bus drivers cannot accept other forms of identification.
Without a matching card, the bus driver will return students to school.
Bus cards will be distributed by the teacher at Meet and Greet, or may be picked up in the school office Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m., before the first day of school. If you need to make other arrangements, please call our office at 757-547-1135.
Every Pre-K and Kindergarten bus rider must have a bus card on the first day of school.
Student Arrival
The first day of school for students will be Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
School Hours: 7:35 a.m.–2:04 p.m.
Once published, school bus schedules will be posted online through Chesapeake Public
Schools: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cps/page/bus-routes
Families are encouraged to use the school bus beginning the first day of school. Establishing a consistent transportation routine will help your child become familiar with the bus routine and develop independence.
We ask for your patience during the first few days as drivers become familiar with their routes.
If transportation arrangements change, you must send a note to school or email gbpwildcats@cpschools.com.
Arriving by Car
Families are encouraged to use the school bus. If you need to bring your child to school, please use the “Kiss and Go” drop-off lane at the front of the school.
For the safety of all our children, please remember:
● The drop-off lane is available 7:15–7:35 a.m.
● Children must be prepared to exit quickly and independently from the driver’s-side back door of the vehicle as directed by school staff.
● If your child needs additional time to exit, please park your vehicle and escort your child into the building.
● Parents are not permitted to escort students to classrooms in the morning, even on the first day of school.
● If you arrive after 7:35 a.m., your child is considered tardy and must be signed in by an adult with a valid ID for entry into the building.
● The bus lane is for buses only and should never be used for parking, drop-off, or pick-up during the school day.
Student Dismissal
All families should complete the transportation verification form for their child. https://forms.gle/dKfe9QPPw9oiR7948
Parent Pick-Up
We are using a drive-thru model for parent pick-up. If you have selected parent pick-up as your child's primary afternoon transportation, you should come to GBP to pick up your family’s parent pick-up sign at Meet and Greet or on September 4 from 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Students will be dismissed from the building to their vehicles beginning at approximately 2:05 p.m., at the direction of school staff.
Students will be brought to vehicles by school staff.
Dismissal Changes
From time to time, it may be necessary to make a change to your child’s regular dismissal plan. For the safety of our students, GBP requires all dismissal change requests in writing no later than 1:30 p.m.Additionally, we prefer that all early parent pick-ups take place by 1:45 p.m. Once dismissal procedures begin, it becomes difficult to make changes.
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast is available for all students and includes an entrée, a fruit choice, and milk.
Lunch is available for all students and includes one entrée, a choice of one or two sides, and a choice of milk.
School lunch menus are available through NutriSlice, our school lunch menu app, or on the school website.
Parents may add money to their child's account through SchoolCafé:
SchoolCafé – Chesapeake Public Schools
School Safety
As you can imagine, there are many security measures in place to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff. Some are quite visible, while others are less so.
Please remember:
● Always carry a photo ID when coming to school.
● All visitors must ring the doorbell and wait for school staff to “buzz you in.”
● Great Bridge Primary utilizes the Raptor Visitor Management System to screen visitors.
● All visitors must provide identification at the security desk.
● Visitors must receive and wear a visitor pass before going anywhere in the building.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for every child.
The GBP PTA Welcomes You!
Our PTA is excited to welcome everyone back to school, and we are looking forward to a wonderful calendar of events!
Your participation in PTA is more important than ever. We would love to reach 100% membership this year!
We welcome all adult members, including parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends. Whether you can volunteer your time, attend an event, or simply become a member, your support makes a difference. Information regarding PTA officers, the budget, and a tentative calendar of events will be shared via email in the coming days.
For more information about PTA, please contact: babywildcatspta@gmail.com
Stay Connected!
We want to stay connected with our Great Bridge Primary families throughout the year. Be sure to follow our school communications and social media for updates, celebrations, reminders, and opportunities to get involved.
FAQ's
We Can't Wait to See Our Wildcats!
Thank you for entrusting your children to us. We recognize the tremendous responsibility and privilege that comes with educating your child, and we do not take it lightly.
This year, we are ready to SHINE together. Show kindness. Have courage. Include others. Never give up. Exceed expectations.
Welcome back, Wildcats! It’s Time to SHINE!
With Wildcats Pride,
Allison Taylor
Principal, Great Bridge Primary
Latashia Baker-Hardison
Assistant Principal, Great Bridge Primary