Back to School Guide
Dear Parents and Guardians of SVUSD Students,
As we gear up for another school year, it's natural for both you and your children to feel a mix of excitement and anticipation. Amidst the flurry of preparations and last-minute details, we understand that the transition back to school can be both thrilling and a tad nerve-wracking.
To assist you during this busy time, we've put together some helpful tips aimed at fostering organization, establishing routines, and ensuring our students thrive in their academic journey.
🎉 You're Invited to Open House & Meet the Teacher!
Get ready to kick off an incredible school year! Join us for Open House/Meet the Teacher Night at our Neighborhood Schools and give your child the chance to start the year with confidence.
📅 Monday, August 3
Neighborhood Schools (K–7): 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Town & Country 8th Grade: 3:30–5:30 p.m.
This is the perfect opportunity to:
🍎 Meet your child's teachers
🏫 Explore the campus and tour the school
📚 Visit classrooms and find your child's learning space
🚌 Learn about transportation and bus schedules
👋 Meet our amazing staff and ask questions
Seeing the school, meeting friendly faces, and becoming familiar with the campus can make a big difference in helping students feel excited, confident, and ready for the first day of school. We can't wait to welcome your family and help you start the year off right!
We look forward to seeing you on August 3!
📅 Count Down to the First Day of School!
The excitement is building—school starts Wednesday, August 5 (an Early Release Day)!
One fun way to help your child prepare is by creating a back-to-school countdown. Hang a calendar where they can see it every day and let them mark off each day as the first day gets closer. Watching the countdown can build excitement and help make the transition back to school feel fun and predictable.
Don't forget to circle Monday, August 3 for Open House/Meet the Teacher Night! Join us from 4:00–6:00 p.m. (or 3:30–5:30 p.m. for 8th grade at Town & Country) to tour the campus, meet teachers and staff, find classrooms, and get ready for an amazing year.
As the first day approaches, start easing back into a school-year bedtime routine to help your child get the rest they need to wake up refreshed, energized, and ready to learn.
We can't wait to welcome your family back for another incredible year of learning, growth, and achievement. See you soon!
🎒 Make Back-to-School Shopping an Adventure!
Back-to-school shopping is more than just checking items off a list—it's a chance to build excitement for the new school year! Plan a special shopping trip with your child and enjoy choosing everything they'll need for a successful start.
Let your student pick out their favorite backpack, lunchbox, clothes, and school supplies (be sure to check your school's supply list first!). Giving them a voice in these choices helps build confidence, encourages independence, and gets them excited to use their new gear on the first day of school.
Whether it's finding the perfect notebook, a colorful set of markers, or a backpack they can't wait to wear, every new item helps create anticipation for the year ahead.
✨ A little preparation now can turn first-day jitters into first-day excitement!
Stay connected with teachers:
Figure out ways to be involved in the classroom this school year by touching base with teachers. Be early to address any issues your child may have and share the success. At SVUSD, we aim to connect with all stakeholders, which is why we created the SVUSD App. Download the app to access everything at your fingertips, including documents, events, the staff directory, alerts, news, and ROOMS Communications. It's your direct communication tool with your child's teacher—everything SVUSD in your pocket.
Helpful mealtime hints for school-age children:
Prepare lunches and breakfast: Studies show that students who have breakfast function better at school and have more energy. Ask your children in advance about healthy foods they like to take to school. Perhaps they have favorite fruits or vegetables you can pack along with a healthy sandwich.
Eat with us! Our Partner SFE's goal is to provide healthy, nutritious meals to your children in a loving educational environment so that they are able to develop a healthy eating lifestyle that will carry on throughout their adult life. Visit our Child Nutrition and Food Service page for more information
Need some assistance? Apply for free and reduced-price healthy breakfasts and lunches. Did you know that applications for these nutritious meals not only help your family but also affect funding for our schools, particularly for reading programs and Title One funding?
Health Information:
Ensure your students have received all required immunizations as mandated by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Have you completed the necessary forms, such as emergency contact and health information forms? Inform the school nurse and teachers about any medical conditions your child has that may need to be managed during the school day. For more details, visit our Nurse's Office page to find all the needed information and requirements.
Transportation and Safety:
If your student is riding the bus, do you know where the bus stop is and what time they'll be picked up and dropped off? Are you familiar with the school's designated drop-off and pick-up area? Visit our transportation page for all the relevant information and needed forms. We are excited to share that our transportation department is getting ready to introduce the MY RIDE K12 app this school year, allowing families to track the bus along its route. More information soon!
