CCS...Getting Ready to IGNITE!
|
Dear Catawba County Schools Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! As we kick off a brand-new year together, I am so excited for everything our students, staff, and families are going to accomplish.
Every great journey begins with a single moment—it all starts with a spark.
Our vision for this year is built on that very promise:
Each day, our administrators, teachers, and staff ignite learning and engagement. That spark spreads to our students, families, and community, creating a culture of joy, love, and lifelong learning. Our students leave Catawba County Schools prepared for life and ready to light the way for others.
This year, our theme is IGNITE, reflecting our commitment to Engage, Inspire, and Empower every child who walks through our doors:
- ⚡ ENGAGE: We’re building strong, joyful connections in our classrooms so your kids feel loved, valued, and excited to learn every single day.
- 🔥 INSPIRE: We are dedicated to lighting that creative spark through hands-on learning, big ideas, and moments that make learning fun and memorable.
- 💪 EMPOWER: We’re equipping our students with the skills, confidence, and character they need to lead, succeed, and light the way for others in the world.
A student's success is a true team effort, and we are so grateful to partner with you. In this newsletter, you’ll find essential details to help your family prepare for the start of school—including open house times, registration updates, meal program information, and district safety protocols.
Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being such a vital part of our school community. Let’s make this an unforgettable year filled with joy, connection, and bright new sparks!
Warmly,
Matt Stover, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Catawba County Schools
|
|
Here are a few important items to "spark" our school year! |
📝 Action Required: Student Registration Update for 2026–2027
Attention Parents and Guardians of returning students!
If your child completed the previous school year with Catawba County Schools, please take a moment to log into your Parent Portal to complete the required annual registration for the 2026–2027 school year.
Don't have an account?
If you do not have a Parent Portal account yet, please contact the Data Manager at your child's school. They will provide you with step-by-step instructions and your unique activation code.
Important Note for New & Kindergarten Families:
If you have already completed a NEW or KINDER registration for your student for the 2026–2027 school year, you do not need to complete another application. You have already completed all the necessary steps and may disregard this notice.
Thank you for helping us prepare for a wonderful school year ahead!
|
|
Welcome to the new school year! Below is the complete schedule of Open House dates, times, and special instructions for all Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. (School supply lists can be found on school websites, and bus route information will be available at open house)
🏫 Elementary Schools
Monday, August 17, 2026
- COMPASS
-
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- Startown Elementary
-
Time: 4:00 PM & 5:00 PM
-
Details: Session 1: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | Session 2: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Thursday, August 20, 2026
- Balls Creek Elementary
-
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM & 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
-
Format: Drop-In
- Banoak Elementary
-
Time: 4:00 PM & 5:00 PM
-
Details: Session 1: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | Session 2: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
- Blackburn Elementary
-
Time: 2:00 PM & 5:30 PM
-
Details: Session 1: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Session 2: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Catawba Elementary
-
Time: 1:30 PM & 5:30 PM
- Claremont Elementary
-
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
-
Format: Drop-In
- Clyde Campbell Elementary
-
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM & 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
-
Format: Drop-In
- Lyle Creek Elementary
-
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
-
Format: Drop-In
- Maiden Elementary
-
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
-
Details: Grades 5 and 6 need to attend either the 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM scheduled session.
- Mt. View Elementary
-
Time: 3:30 PM & 5:00 PM
-
Details: Session 1: 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM | Session 2: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
- Murray Elementary
-
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
-
Details: Session 1: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM | Session 2: 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM
- Oxford Elementary
-
Time: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
-
Format: Drop-In
- Sherrills Ford Elementary
-
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM & 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Snow Creek Elementary
-
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM & 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
-
Format: Drop-In
- St. Stephens Elementary
-
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
-
Format: Drop-In
- Tuttle Elementary
-
Time: Kindergarten at 3:00 PM | 1st–6th Grade: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
-
Details: Session 1: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | Session 2: 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
- Online Catawba (K–8)
-
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Drop-In)
-
Location: BT Room @ Annex
🔔 Middle Schools
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
-
Arndt Middle School — 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (Drop-In)
-
Maiden Middle School — 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Drop-In)
-
River Bend Middle School — 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Drop-In)
Thursday, August 20, 2026
-
Jacobs Fork Middle School — 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Drop-In)
-
Mill Creek Middle School — 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Drop-In)
-
Online Catawba (Grades 6–8) — Open House Date: August 20, 2026
- (Note: 8th graders taking Online Catawba 9–12 courses should follow the High School schedule)
🎓 High Schools
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Bandys High School
-
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Drop-In)
- Bunker Hill High School
-
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Drop-In)
- Maiden High School
-
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- St. Stephens High School
-
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
-
Special Meeting: 5:30 PM Parent Meeting for Freshmen and students new to SSHS only.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
- NorthStar Academy
-
Time: 5:00 PM –
|
❗ IMPORTANT: WHY YOUR APPLICATION MATTERS!
Please take a moment to fill out the Meal Application!
Applying for Free/Reduced Price Meals is about much more than just school meals. Completing an application directly impacts critical federal funding for your child's school. This funding supports classroom resources, technology, academic programs, and support staff. Even if you aren't sure if you qualify—or if your child attends a free lunch school—filling out the application helps ensure our schools receive the maximum federal funding they deserve!
🥞 BREAKFAST
-
Free for ALL Students: Every school in our district provides FREE breakfast to all students every school day!
- (A la carte pricing applies for adult meals.)
🥗 LUNCH
-
Universal Free Lunch: The vast majority of our district's schools provide FREE lunch to ALL students!
-
Paid Lunch Schools: Only the following six schools require paid lunch:
-
Sherrills Ford Elementary ($2.80)
-
Mill Creek Middle School ($2.80)
-
Bandys High School ($2.90)
-
Challenger Early College High School ($2.90)
-
Fred T. Foard High School ($2.90)
-
Maiden High School ($2.90)
- (A la carte pricing applies for adult meals at all locations.)
📞 QUESTIONS & SUPPORT
-
Cafeteria Managers: Your school’s cafeteria manager is empowered and ready to help answer any questions.
-
School Nutrition Office: For direct assistance, call the School Nutrition line at 704-650-4554.
|
📅 2026–2027 School Year Calendar Snapshot
🎒 Key School Year Dates
-
First Day for Students (Fall): Monday, August 24, 2026
-
First Day of Semester 2: Tuesday, January 5, 2027
-
Last Day for Students: Friday, May 21, 2027
🚨 Early Dismissal Days (3-Hour Early Release)
- Friday, December 18, 2026
-
Friday, May 21, 2027 (Last Day of School)
🍁 Fall & Winter Breaks / Holidays
-
Labor Day (No School): Monday, September 7, 2026
-
Veterans Day (No School): Wednesday, November 11, 2026
-
Thanksgiving Break (No School): Wednesday, November 25 – Friday, November 27, 2026
-
Winter Break (No School): Wednesday, December 23, 2026 – Friday, January 1, 2027 (Students return Tuesday, Jan 5)
🌸 Spring Break & Holidays
-
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School): Monday, January 18, 2027
-
Good Friday (No School): Friday, March 26, 2027
-
Spring Break (No School): Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16, 2027
-
Memorial Day (No School): Monday, May 31, 2027
🎨 Elementary-Only Workdays (No School for Elementary Students Only)
- Friday, September 25, 2026
- Thursday, February 11, 2027
☀️ Long Weekends at a Glance
Dates Reason / Event
Sept 5 – Sept 7, 2026 Labor Day Weekend
Sept 25 – Sept 27, 2026 Extended Weekend (Elementary Only)
Oct 16 – Oct 18, 2026 Optional Teacher Workday
Nov 25 – Nov 29, 2026 Thanksgiving Break
Jan 16 – Jan 18, 2027 MLK Jr. Day Weekend
Feb 12 – Feb 15, 2027 Presidents' Day Weekend
(Note: Potential weather make-up days)
March 26 – March 29, 2027Easter / Good Friday Weekend (Note: March 29 is a potential weather make-up day)
❄️ Weather Make-Up Days (If Needed)
- Friday, February 12, 2027
- Monday, February 15, 2027
- Monday, March 29, 2027
|
Nothing is more important to us than the safety, well-being, and peace of mind of your children while they are in our care.
We are sharing our Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and Reunification Protocol so that you know exactly what procedures are in place should an unexpected event occur. We hope and plan to never have to use our emergency protocols, but clear communication and shared understanding are essential for keeping our school community safe and organized.
By familiarizing yourself with these common terms, parent expectations, and step-by-step procedures, you help us ensure that if a situation ever arises, we can respond calmly, efficiently, and effectively together.
|
Our school district has adopted The “I Love U Guys” Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP). Here is an overview of the five core actions:
🛑 HOLD — “In Your Classroom or Area”
-
Students: Clear hallways, remain in room, do business as usual.
-
Staff: Lock door, account for everyone, do business as usual.
🚪 SECURE — “Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors”
Called when there is danger outside the building.
-
Students: Return inside, do business as usual.
-
Staff: Bring everyone indoors, lock exterior doors, account for everyone.
- Parent FAQ:
-
Should parents come to school? No. Classes run as normal inside; outside doors remain locked.
-
Will parents be notified? Longer or serious events will prompt parent notifications.
🔒 LOCKDOWN — “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight”
Called when there is an active threat inside or near the building.
-
Students: Move out of sight, maintain silence, do not open doors.
-
Staff: Lock doors, turn off lights, stay out of sight, remain silent.
- Parent FAQ:
-
Should parents come to school? No. Campus access will be restricted. Parents inside must lockdown too.
-
Should parents text students? Avoid texting initially so sound/light does not compromise safety.
🏃 EVACUATE — “To a Location”
-
Students: Leave belongings (if directed), bring phone if possible, follow directions.
-
Staff: Lead students to evacuation site and account for everyone.
🌪️ SHELTER — “State Hazard and Safety Strategy”
Used for natural hazards or weather emergencies.
-
Students & Staff: Execute specific strategies (e.g., drop/cover/hold, shelter area).
🚨 SAFETY LESSONS & DRILLS IN OUR DISTRICT
-
Age-Appropriate Lessons: We provide age-appropriate safety lessons for students at the beginning of each school year.
-
Student Drills: Students regularly practice fire, tornado, and earthquake drills throughout the year.
-
Staff-Only Training: Our district does not conduct critical incident drills or exercises with students. Critical incident training and exercises are conducted with staff only.
|
Circumstances (weather, outages, safety) may require a controlled release called reunification. This standard protocol ensures safety and accountability when releasing students. Reunification may occur off-campus.
📢 NOTIFICATION
Parents will be notified via Parent Square, our communication platform. With Parent Square, our district has the ability to contact families by email, text, and phone call.
🛑 PARENT EXPECTATIONS & FAQ
-
Bring Photo ID: Essential to confirm identity and custody rights.
-
Be Patient: The process ensures student safety.
-
Can't Pick Up? Students are only released to emergency contacts; otherwise, the school holds them safely.
-
Student Drivers? Vehicles may need to stay on lot; parents should recover the student. High schoolers may occasionally be released on their own.
⚙️ HOW IT WORKS
-
Students: Remain quiet/orderly and limit cell usage.
-
Arrival: Watch for emergency vehicles, park where directed, and do not abandon vehicles.
-
Check-In: Line up by student last name, complete a Reunification Card (one per student), and present ID.
-
Reunification: Receive the bottom stub of your card and proceed to the Reunification area. A runner will fetch your student.
💬 INVESTIGATIONS & COUNSELING
If necessary, parents may be invited inside, interviewed for investigations, or requested for
medical details.
|
|
The International Newcomer Center is open and ready to support families who need bilingual assistance with school enrollment.
If you or someone you know needs help understanding the enrollment process, completing forms, or communicating with school staff in Spanish or Hmong, our Newcomer Center team is here to help make the process easier.
International Newcomer Center (Located in the Lower Building)
2110 Main Ave. SE
Hickory, NC 28601
Call or email us for an appointment:
828-855-9787
We are here to support you and to ensure that every student has a smooth and welcoming start to the school year.
|
|
To ensure you never miss an update, please rely on our official communication channels for all news, announcements, and emergency notifications:
- 🌐 District Website: www.catawbaschools.net
- 🏫 Your Child’s School Website: (accessible via the district homepage)
- 📱 ParentSquare: Our primary tool for direct text, email, and app notifications
Checking these platforms regularly keeps you in the loop with accurate, up-to-date information directly from Catawba County Schools!
|
We are so excited to welcome your students back for a fantastic school year! If you have any questions about registration, schedules, school nutrition, or safety protocols, please don't hesitate to reach out. Contact your child's school directly, and our office staff and administrators will be happy to assist you. Thank you for your partnership, and let’s make it a great year! |
|
|
