Brinkley Hill
•7/15/2026
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Three schools in Charlotte County will welcome back students on Tuesday.
Peace River, Sallie Jones and East Elementary schools are on a year-round schedule. Their summer break is shorter, but they have longer breaks in August and spring break.
WINK News reporter Brinkley Hill spoke to the principal at East Elementary about going back to school. Students pre-K through fifth grade are going to be welcomed back through the doors at East Elementary.
Eighty new kindergartners will walk into the halls of East Elementary School. This year's theme is carrying the banner.
The goal for students and staff will be to show excellence through their actions and be proud to be an East Eagle. While not all students in Charlotte County will be back at school, for the community, it's time to start watching for students at the bus stop and walking to school.
Melissa White, principal at East Elementary, said students could be at the bus stop as early as 6:30 a.m., and school zones start blinking at 7 a.m. Schools let out around 3:45 p.m., but students can be hopping off the bus as late as 5 p.m.
"Our school zone lights are gonna be blinking. Kids are gonna be walking to school. So I think it's so important for our community to remember that with our three schools, Peace River, Sallie Jones, and us, that if you're in that area and you're driving there, just watch out for those little ones coming to school," White said.
The staff at East Elementary said they are excited to welcome students back. They're telling their students and parents to get a good night's sleep and be there bright and early.
