Current School Year

To help you make the most of the year ahead, here are 10 important things to keep in mind:

1. School Year Calendar

This is your guide to the year. Print and/or save the link to the approved 2025-2026 school year calendar and X/Y calendar to help avoid missed instructional time during the school year when planning family activities. Please note that this is the official link to the current school calendar. 

2. Student Schedules

To help you plan your days, review the bell schedule start and end times below for each school level.

Follow our step-by-step guides to access your student’s class schedule and to report your student’s absence using ParentVUE.

3. Transportation Information

Please be patient with transportation for the next few weeks as we navigate the start of the school year. Due to the high number of incoming calls to our Transportation Services Department, we encourage you to report any issue through our Issuetrak online form.

Please remember to download the new transportation app, My Ride K-12, and check for updates to route numbers and pick up/drop off times. Routes are continually updated and optimized during the first few weeks of school. Your pickup or drop off time may change frequently.

It is important to remember that all preK, kindergarten, first grade, and supervised-release required students must have a responsible companion or adult present at their afternoon bus stop or they will be returned to the school. This will significantly delay bus transportation during the first few weeks. 

For the safety of our students, staff and other drivers, please review best practices on passing stopped school buses and understanding bus lights. 

4. Sign Up for ParentVUE

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with ParentVUE. Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for a Stafford Schools student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. You will see information about all of your students through one ParentVUE account.  ParentVUE is also available using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.

Update Your Contact Information: Be sure you receive important information from your schools and the school division. Update your phone numbers and email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section of ParentVUE.

5. Emergency Procedures

Stafford Schools has implemented emergency procedures and options that provide our administrators and law enforcement personnel greater flexibility during a potential emergency. This school year, we will use the following emergency procedures:

HOLD: Can be initiated when an area needs to be cleared of students. This could include a medical emergency that requires hallways to be cleared to allow for Emergency Medical Services response. Students and staff will remain in their room or area with the doors closed. Instruction will continue.

SECURE: Will be initiated when there is something considered to be dangerous outside of the building. For example, this could include serious criminal activity in the area. All students and staff will return to the building. Exterior doors will be locked and no one will be allowed to enter or exit the building. Instruction will continue.

LOCKDOWN: Will be initiated when there is an active threat or something dangerous inside the building. Students and staff will enter or remain in a room that can be locked and maintain silence. No one will be allowed to enter or exit the building.

EVACUATE: Will be initiated when there is a need to exit the building. For example, during a fire emergency students and staff will be directed to evacuate the building to a designated area.

SHELTER: Will be initiated during an event requiring students and staff to take shelter during an emergency situation. For example, a tornado warning would require students and staff to move to shelter locations within the school and follow established safety procedures.

Please familiarize yourself with this language as we will use these phrases to communicate with you during an incident.

6. Student Code of Conduct

As members of our school community, our students have certain responsibilities. Stafford Schools' need your help encouraging excellent attendance, behavior, and conduct so all can benefit from our comprehensive educational program and variety of extracurricular activities. The Stafford County School Board annually adopts a Student Code of Conduct to help us reach this goal. The Student Code of Conduct is available for review in ParentVUE and on the division website.

7. Personal Device Rules

Stafford Schools' "Off and Away" personal device policy (which applies to items such as cell phones, iPads, ear pods, and smart watches)  aims to minimize distractions and enhance the educational environment for students in all grade levels. Understanding and cooperation from both students and parents are crucial for successful implementation. While there are specific, limited exceptions to the policy, consequences for non-compliance will be enforced. Silencing and stowing cell phones has been a practice in middle and elementary schools, and the updated policy now applies this practice to students in all grade levels. We appreciate your support in creating a focused and productive learning atmosphere for our students. Frequently asked questions and a video on the updated Personal Device Policy are available on the division website.

8. School Meals

Stay connected with your student's nutrition needs by downloading the SchoolCafé app, a free mobile app compatible with most Android and iOS phones. With SchoolCafé, you can pay online, view and monitor student meal purchases, set purchase restrictions, and apply for free and reduced meals. We strongly encourage all families to set up low balance alerts and regularly check meal account balances. Download the SchoolCafé app today from the App Store or Google Play. Stay informed and ensure your student is well-nourished and ready to learn!

Accessing nutritious meals is vital for students' health and well-being. Our Free and Reduced Meal Application program strives to provide eligible families with access to wholesome meals, supporting students' nutritional needs throughout the school year. Families must submit a new free or reduced student meals application each school year. Although paper applications are available in English and Spanish at your school's front office, we encourage the use of our convenient online application platform for swift and efficient submission. This online process streamlines your application and expedites the review process.

9. Update Immunizations and Records

Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.

Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your student is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia as soon as possible. If your student needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Rappahannock Area Health Department website for a list of immunization clinics.

Remember to request your student’s immunization record and bring that to your school’s front office.

Families may complete this form to indicate a religious exemption from immunizations. The form must be notarized and returned to your school nurse.

10. Student Support

If your student needs school supplies, clothing, or socio-emotional support during the school year, please reach out to your school’s counseling team, social worker, or school administration team. We are all here to help ensure every student has what they need to succeed. Don't hesitate to connect with staff for assistance.