A student raises his hand within a circle of second graders in this file photo from Aug. 13, 2014 at Woodlawn School.

The new school year is upon us. Wednesday is the first day of school for students in first through ninth grades, with all other grades heading back to class on Thursday. Here’s what parents need to know for the big day.

New school hours: School days will be several minutes longer starting this school year. Under the new schedule, dismissal time is five minutes later than last year for elementary and high schools. For middle schools, school start time is eight minutes earlier and dismissal is five minutes earlier.

There are also changes to late start and early dismissal. Early dismissal times for Lawrence schools have shifted by five minutes for all schools. Middle school early-dismissal is at 1:35 p.m. on Wednesdays, five minutes later than last year. Wednesday dismissal time for elementary schools is either 1:35 p.m. or 2:20 p.m.

Schedules for the high schools have been simplified with the elimination of the Thursday late-arrival day. High schools and the Lawrence College & Career Center now have late start/early dismissal on Wednesday, with hours being 9:05 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A listing of new hours for all schools is available online at USD497.org/Domain/6019.

New drop-off and pick-up areas: As renovation projects finish up at several schools, some new site layouts include changes to arrival and dismissal traffic flow. Kennedy, Hillcrest and Cordley elementary schools all have some changes to drop-off locations. The Kennedy parent drop-off lane is on Harper Street, and the bus lane is behind the school. At Hillcrest, parent drop-off will continue to be on Hilltop Drive, and the bus lane is on Highland Drive. At Cordley, parent drop-off will continue to be on Vermont Street. The Cordley bus drop-off location is on Vermont Street and bus pick-up is on Kentucky Street.

More vegetarian items on school menus: New menu options mean students won’t have to pack a lunch to ensure some vegetarian options. Following taste testing last year, food services is adding several items to its menus: homemade hummus, rice bowls, pasta fazool, the veggie shaker and a “perfect pinto beans recipe.” Rice bowls were available at the middle and high schools last year, but are new to elementary school menus. The August school menus for elementary, middle and high schools are available online at USD497.org/Domain/49.

Lawrence College and Career Center: New courses at the Lawrence College and Career Center are available to high school juniors and seniors this year. Students enrolled in classes at the center attend four days per week for two hours. Transportation to the center, located at 2920 Haskell Ave., is provided or students may drive themselves. Courses are available in seven areas: Health & Emergency Care, Innovation & Engineering, Law & Government, Bio & Forensic Science, Manufacturing & Robotics, Computer & Network Technology, and HVAC & Construction. There will be a ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Lawrence College and Career Center at 10 a.m. on Sept. 26.

New renovations: Major construction and remodeling projects are wrapping up at four elementary schools — Cordley, Hillcrest, New York and Quail Run — for the start of the new school year. Renovation projects are now complete at half of the district’s schools, and include classroom additions, break-out learning spaces or “learning pockets,” safe entries, technology infrastructure improvements and site improvements. Three schools have new kitchens this school year: Cordley Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary and West Middle School. The public is invited to a “Parade of Schools” at the completed elementary construction projects from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 26.