Dear Families,
As the start of the school year quickly approaches, we want to share some quick facts to help you better prepare. Please keep this information handy as you plan ahead. We are excited to see our students soon!
First Day of School
- Monday, August 18 is the first day of school for kindergarten, first grade, sixth grade, and ninth grade.
- All students will attend on Tuesday, August 19. It will be an A Day for middle and high school students.
Read our full message
on our website.
Start and End Times
- Elementary Schools: Read
our full message on our website.
- Middle Schools: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- High Schools: 8:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
School Calendar
- Find the 2025-26 school calendar
on our website.
- Access
the A/B calendar for middle and high schools.
School Meals
- Before the start of the school year, either complete
the free or reduced meals application (search for Hanover County Public Schools) or ensure your student has money in
their LINQ account.
Here is an FAQ document for the LINQ portal.
- Meal prices are available
on the HCPS website.
- School menus can also be found
on LINQ.
Read our full message
on our website.
Transportation
- Find your bus stop and schedule in
the Parent Portal on PowerSchool.
- If your bus assignment is not visible in PowerSchool, please submit a transportation request by
completing this form.
- We kindly ask for your patience, grace, and kindness – especially in the first few weeks of the school year – as we work to provide you and your family the best service possible.
Read our full message
on our website.
Required Forms
- Use
the PowerSchool Parent Portal to access, complete, and submit the Student Information Verification Form and other school forms.
- The deadline to submit these forms is Friday, September 12.
- Contact your school registrar with any additional questions or if you need assistance.
Mobile Device Policy
- As a reminder, students are prohibited from using any mobile device (cell phones, smart watches, and headphones, including ear buds) during the instructional day. This begins when a student enters the building and does not end until the dismissal bell rings. This includes class changes and lunches. The full policy can be found online (
Elementary |
Secondary).
- Failure to follow these requirements will result in disciplinary action and the item(s) will be confiscated, requiring a parent/guardian to pick up their student’s device from school.
- Parents/guardians are an important part of the success of this updated policy, which was made to support our students’ academic environment and mental health. Please review the policy with your student(s) in advance of the school year.
Kindness and Bullying Prevention
- Throughout the 2025-26 school year, kindness will be emphasized across all schools. Schools will offer, among other things, kindness-themed activities, lessons, and celebrations.
- This work also includes a deepening of our commitment to bullying prevention.
- Please have conversations with your student prior to the start of school and throughout the school year about the importance of kindness and the serious consequences of bullying.
Read our full message
on our website.
Stay Connected
-
ParentSquare – communications platform (read more
on our website) that features email, text, and/or app notifications.
- Schoology – view your student’s classes and assignments (
Parents |
Students)
-
HCPS website – find up-to-date information on the school division, including the calendar, directory, and more.
- HCPS Social Media – stay informed about division announcements, events, and more (
Facebook |
Instagram |
X).
-
PowerSchool – view your student’s grades and attendance records.
-
Online School Payments – pay your student’s fees online (i.e. dues, parking, library, etc.)
We hope this is helpful as you plan ahead. We are excited to welcome our students back into our buildings and wish you a great start to the school year! As always, thank you for your continued patience, support, and understanding as we work at all levels to provide the highest quality education to our outstanding students.
Hanover County Public Schools