Before the first bell: useful tips and updates

School starts Monday, Aug. 24. Goodbye, summer and hello, new school year—and it’s not too soon to start getting students back into school mode. First days can be exciting and/or unsettling, especially for students entering kindergarten, middle or high school for the first time. These students will face brand-new expectations and new faces.

Families can help their students begin the school year with confidence. They can:

• visit the back-to-school webpage and their school’s website;
• check calendars for holidays, teacher workdays, annual leave days and school breaks;
• review materials sent by the school as soon as they arrive;
• show their students the location of the bus stop; 
• talk about new expectations and meeting new classmates;  
• acknowledge any fears for the upcoming school year; and 
• attend the school’s open house.

Here are some other tips for success:

Elementary School

Practice the routine. Set the alarm as if it is a school day. Get your student ready and drive to school a few times before the first day. Show your student the drop-off and pick-up spots in the mornings and afternoons.

Encourage independence. Children should be able to do certain things for themselves when entering kindergarten. Students should be able to take their jackets on and off, pack their bags, clean up supplies, follow directions and use the restroom by themselves.

Set morning and bedtime routines. Begin new schedules gradually by changing bedtimes and wake times in the weeks leading up to the first day of school.

Validate concerns. They may be scared or worried but let them know their feelings are normal and reassure them. Acknowledge their fears and focus on the positive aspects of going to school.

Middle School

Emphasize the positive aspects. Students will learn more about topics that interest them, such as foreign languages, character education and health and life skills. New activities are available, such as sports teams and clubs. It all provides ways to make new friends.

Review class schedules together. New routines can be confusing at first. Help your students become familiar with their class schedule and the locations of their classrooms before the first day. If they have trouble finding something or keeping track of where they should be, remind them to ask teachers, counselors or other school staff for help.

Learn about school rules. Before the first day, know the policies such as dress codes and cell phone use. This will make it easier for your child to follow the rules.

Get involved. Contrary to what your pre-teen may say, your involvement is still crucial. Middle school is a great time to stay involved with their education.

Get to know the school counselor. The counselor can provide resources to help you and your child navigate through the middle school years. This will also be important for high school. 

High School

Attend freshman orientation. Orientation is helpful because students will learn their way around the building and meet some of their teachers. Students will also get to meet other freshmen and can begin to make friends.

Become connected. Find out what sports, clubs or after-school activities the school offers and help your student participate.

Understand coursework and expectations. High school brings new academic responsibilities, including managing a challenging course load, reviewing class schedules and making course selections that support graduation requirements and future goals. Parents can support their students by encouraging organization, helping them set priorities and reminding them that teachers and counselors are available for guidance.

Make sure your student gets a good night's sleep. Teens need to be rested when they go to school.

Help set priorities. High school expectations and responsibilities will differ from those of middle school. A counselor will help create a schedule that includes core courses and electives that match your student’s goals. The ability to prioritize and maintain a balance between family, social and academic life is greatly assisted by parents.

Organization is key. Have your child spend some time each night making sure everything is packed and ready for the next day to reduce morning chaos. You may even want to designate a space for school equipment, clothing and materials.

What’s new

School meal payments

UCPS has transitioned to K12 Payment Center for school meal payments. PaySchools Central is no longer used for school meals, and any remaining balances from PaySchools Central will transfer to the new system.

To register for K12 Payment Center, parents will need their child’s Infinite Campus student ID number. Families should contact their child’s school to obtain the student ID number.

Families who need to apply for free or reduced-price meals should complete the application through Lunch Application.

K12 Payment Center allows families to:

• securely and quickly pay for meals;
• view meal history;
• receive low-balance email or text notifications; and
• transfer money between siblings at no additional fee.

Reminders 

Infinite Campus

Make sure your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account is set up before the school year begins. Families can use the portal to access grades, attendance, schedules and other important student information.

Visit the UCPS Infinite Campus webpage for account setup instructions, tutorials, frequently asked questions and additional resources.

Transportation

Families are encouraged to sign up for the Edulog Parent Portal app to receive important information about their child’s school bus ride.

The app allows families to:

•  access designated bus stop times and locations;
• see real-time information about the location of their child’s school bus; and
• receive notifications when the bus is getting close.

Get started with the Edulog Parent Portal app today!

Stay connected with UCPS

Want important information about district programs, upcoming events and school updates delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for UCPS Snapshots, the district’s community and parent newsletter, to stay informed about student and staff highlights, school news, parent resources and more.

Subscribe today to stay connected!

Board of Education policies

The Union County Board of Education has transitioned from BoardDocs to the Union County Board of Education Portal, powered by Diligent Community. The portal provides access to Board of Education policies, meeting agendas, minutes and other board-related information. If you previously bookmarked the BoardDocs website, be sure to update your bookmark.

Athletics

It's time for fall sports! Upcoming athletic events, schedules or forms can be conveniently found on the athletics website.

Title IX

Union County Public Schools (UCPS) will not discriminate against anyone based on sex in its educational programs or activities, in admission to its educational programs or activities, or in employment policies and practices under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. Visit the Title IX webpage for further details and contact information.

Anonymous reporting

Parents, students, staff and community members are encouraged to use the UCPS Tip Line to share feedback, give kudos or report safety risks. If you want to report an anonymous tip, do not include any contact information in your submission.

UCPS has adopted the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System to provide another layer of support for school safety. This system allows individuals to anonymously report this information through a telephone crisis hotline, website or mobile app.  

Have a great 2026—2027 school year!