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 24 is the first day of school for kindergarten, first grade, sixth grade, and ninth grade.
- All students will attend on Tuesday, August 25. 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: 7:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Three schools (Cool Spring Elementary School, Laurel Meadow Elementary School, and Mechanicsville Elementary School) will once again operate on a shifted schedule of 8:05 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. to help ensure our transportation service is as efficient as possible.
- 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 2026-27 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 (review this document for more information on logging in).
- 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 18.
- Contact your school registrar with any additional questions or if you need assistance.
Read our full message on our website.
Mobile Device Policy
- As a reminder, students are prohibited from using any mobile device (i.e., cell phones, smart watches and glasses, tablets, headphones/ear buds, etc.) during the instructional day, including class changes and lunches. This begins when a student enters the building and does not end until the dismissal bell rings. 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 2026-27 school year, we will continue to emphasize kindness 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.
Parent Dropoff Tips and Bus Safety
- While the first few weeks of school naturally bring increased traffic as everyone settles into new routines, following the universal tips detailed in this message will help keep our dropoff line moving safely and efficiently. Most importantly, your cooperation helps ensure our students arrive at school safely and are ready to begin a great day of learning.
- If your child rides the bus, it is important that both students and parents know and understand safe loading and unloading procedures. It is also important that you teach your children other safety procedures that revolve around school transportation processes. Please read this message for our safety tips.
- Regardless of how your student gets to/from school, please be reminded that Virginia law mandates that traffic stop for a stopped bus with flashing lights and the stop sign extended.
Stay Connected
- ParentSquare – customizable communications platform 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.
- Policy Manual – access policies regarding Hanover County Public Schools.
- Code of Student Conduct – learn about expectations for student conduct, responsibilities, and disciplinary procedures.
- Parent-Student Handbook – review information regarding many school-related topics.
- Online School Payments – pay your student’s fees online (i.e. dues, parking, library, etc.).
- LINQ – add funds to student meal accounts.
School-Appropriate Items
We recognize that many of our students and families enjoy spending time outdoors, including hunting and fishing. Please be reminded that only school-appropriate items are permitted on campus. Hunting and fishing equipment should remain at home or in a secure location outside of school property. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting a positive and safe school community.
Required Notice
Virginia law now requires school divisions to notify you annually regarding the safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in the household. As a school division, we are committed to partnering with families to help keep our students safe at school and beyond our walls.
Please note the following as required by law:
- § 18.2-56.2 of the Code of Virginia includes information on the safe storage of firearms and parents’ responsibility to safely store any firearm present in the household.
- § 18.2-308.7:1 of the Code of Virginia also includes requirements regarding the storage of firearms.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), firearm injuries are among the leading causes of death for children and teens in the United States.
- Please visit the Virginia Department of Education’s website for parent and caregiver resources for self-harm, suicide, and violence prevention.
Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us maintain safe and supportive environments for students.
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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, especially during the first few weeks of school, as we work at all levels to provide the highest quality education to our outstanding students.
Hanover County Public Schools