The start of school is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a fresh chapter filled with new routines, friendships and opportunities to grow. Our back-to-school checklist is here to help you and your student ease into the year with confidence.
9 Things to Do Before the First Day of School
1. REVIEW THE SCHOOL CALENDAR
The first day of school is Wednesday, September 3 for students in grades 1-12. Kindergarten students start on Monday, September 8. The first day for preschool students is Wednesday, September 10. See other important dates for the school year.
2. VIEW YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
Get ahead by reviewing the school supply list provided by your school on their website. This ensures your child has everything they need from day one, setting them up for success throughout the school year.
Access to free school supplies is available for families thanks to the Highline Schools Foundation. If your family would like to receive school supplies, please reach out to your school office directly to request supplies.
3. ACTIVATE PARENTSQUARE & PARENTVUE
ParentSquare
Get updates from your child's teacher, school and district by downloading the ParentSquare app and activating your account. Set your language preference and enable text notifications in your settings.
ParentVUE
Activate your ParentVUE account to track how your student is doing in school. You can view your child’s assignments, grades and attendance.
4. CONFIRM YOUR STUDENT’S CONTACT INFORMATION
Each year, families must verify student emergency and health details so we have accurate contact information on file. This helps us reach you quickly and ensures your student's safety. Please complete this before school starts.
5. CHECK OUT SCHOOL MENUS
School meals are available to all students at no cost this year! Our menus, carefully crafted by a dietitian, showcase freshly baked goods and scratch-made entrees such as spaghetti, chicken pozole, and chicken chili. We prioritize local Washington produce, whole grains and low-fat dairy in every meal. Explore our weekly menus to see what's cooking!
Help your student learn their ID number—it’s needed for meals and other school activities. Knowing it makes meal service faster and ensures special diets are tracked. You can find your student’s ID in ParentVUE under Student Information.
6. FIND YOUR BUS ROUTE
Find your bus stop and pick-up/drop-off times starting August 26 using our online tool. Please check back just before the first day of school. Minor adjustments to routes could be made before school starts.
7. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES AND REVIEW OFFICIAL NOTICES
Review the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook and our Official Notices so you and your student know school expectations and what you can expect from your school. This includes:
- Attendance policy
- Photo and video release
- Protecting your student’s information
- Special education
- Health service information
- Discipline policy
- Statement of Student Rights
- Other important information
8. PRACTICE GETTING UP ON TIME
We can prepare for school by setting the alarm and waking the family up on time. Good attendance is linked to stronger academic results, and missing just two days a month can make learning harder. When we show up every day, our children feel better about school—and about themselves. Learn more about why attendance matters.
9. USE #BACKTOSCHOOLHIGHLINE ON SOCIALS
Share photos of your student getting ready for the school year and the first day of school using the hashtag #BackToSchoolHighline on social media. Stay in the loop with all the exciting school highlights and essential updates this school year by following Highline on Facebook and Instagram.
Let's make this year one to remember!