Welcome Back! It was great to see so many families at our Open House. Here are some reminders as we start this school year.
First Day of School & School Hours
The first day of school for all 1st–5th grade students is Monday, August 24.
If you have a Kindergarten student, please remember that Kindergarten students will follow a staggered entry schedule during the first week of school. Please reference the postcard mailed to your home for your child's specific start date.
Student Hours: 7:50 a.m.–2:35 p.m.
Doors Open: 7:20 a.m.
Walking Students to Class During the First Week
Parents and guardians may walk their child to class during the first week of school between 7:20 and 7:50 a.m. If you choose to walk your child inside, please park in a marked parking space in the front parking lot.
All students and adults entering the building will be required to walk through the Weapons Detection System before proceeding to classrooms. We know this may take some additional time, especially during the first few days of school, and we appreciate your patience.
Our instructional day begins promptly at 7:50 a.m., so all parents and guardians will need to exit the building by the time the tardy bell rings. Please exit out the green hall doors.
Beginning Monday, August 31, students in grades 1–5 will walk to class independently. Beginning Tuesday, September 8, Kindergarten students will also walk to their classrooms independently. Staff members will be stationed throughout the hallways to greet students and help them find their way.
Morning Arrival
Our front doors open to students at 7:20 a.m. Students may not be dropped off before 7:20 unless they are enrolled in our Early Bird Program, as supervision is not available before that time.
Car Riders: Cars must follow the established traffic pattern and proceed through the car circle. Staff members will be on duty to help students exit vehicles and enter the building safely and efficiently.
All students will enter through the front doors and walk through our Weapons Detection System upon entering the building.
To help us maintain a safe and efficient arrival process, all car riders must use the car line. Beginning August 31, families may not park and walk students across from the parking lot or stop near a crosswalk to allow students to exit in an effort to avoid the car line. These practices create additional congestion and, most importantly, serious safety concerns.
Walkers: Families who live close enough to walk to school may do so as long as safety procedures are followed. Students must be accompanied by a parent or adult due to the increased traffic during arrival. Families should use the designated walker sidewalk at the front entrance. Families may not drive to school, park in the parking lot, and have their child enter as a walker.
Afternoon Dismissal
Buses and car riders begin dismissing at 2:35 p.m.
Car Riders: Parents must request a Highland Pickup Tag by completing the Highland Pickup Tag Request Form on the Highland website.
All vehicles must display either a Highland-issued pickup tag or a temporary car rider pass. Temporary passes are issued when a parent contacts the school in advance to make a transportation change for that day.
Vehicles without a Highland-issued pickup tag or temporary pass will be directed to park, and the adult will need to come into the front office before the student can be released.
Please make sure your Highland pickup tag is clearly visible so staff members can quickly identify and call for your child. Parents should enter using both lanes and wait behind the designated area. School personnel will then funnel vehicles into a single lane as cars approach the student loading area.
Walkers: Parents must request a Highland Pickup Tag by completing the Pickup Tag Request Form available on our website. Adults must present the Highland-issued Pickup Tag when picking up a student.
If an adult does not have the appropriate pickup tag, they will be directed to the front office before the student can be released.
Parents will walk along the designated sidewalk beside the fenced portion of the car rider line, cross at the crosswalk, and proceed to the side door near the gym. A staff member will call for students to meet their adult at the door.
Please remember that families may not drive to school, park in the parking lot, and pick up their child as a walker.
Weapon Detection Systems
This year, all schools will have Weapon Detection Systems (WDS) in place. This is an added layer of security that will quickly scan students and visitors as they enter the building. We’ve put together some helpful information and a video of what the process looks like for our students. Take a look at our webpage for more information.
Here Comes the Bus
Is your student a bus rider? ABSS will be implementing the “Here Comes the Bus” app to help track students as they travel to and from school and get updates on delays and expected arrival times. We anticipate there will be some delays as we account for bus driver shortages. Please be patient as we roll out this new platform. Families can download the free app in the Google or Apple app stores. For directions on how to connect to ABSS, please visit our Back to School webpage.
Free and Reduced Lunch Forms
It’s time to apply for free and reduced cost breakfast and lunches. Families must reapply each year to receive continued benefits. Complete the electronic free and reduced lunch form for the 2026-2027 academic year.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!