Kindergarten Staggered Entry (2026–2027)
Welcome to **Haw River Elementary!** We are excited to welcome your child to our **Lion Cub family** and begin this exciting kindergarten journey together. Our goal is to provide a smooth, positive start to kindergarten while helping every Lion Cub feel comfortable, confident, connected, and ready to learn.
What is Kindergarten Staggered Entry?
The Alamance-Burlington School System uses a staggered enrollment process for all kindergarten students. During staggered entry, students attend school on one individually assigned day before all kindergarten students begin school together.
This smaller-group setting allows our teachers to:
* Build relationships with each child
* Introduce school routines and expectations
* Learn about each student's strengths and needs
* Complete beginning-of-year reading and math assessments
* Observe students in the classroom
* Create balanced classroom rosters that best meet students' needs
* Introduce our school-wide **ROAR expectations: Respect, Ownership, Academics, and Resilience**
How Does Staggered Entry Work?
Each kindergarten student is assigned one staggered entry day. Families receive their child's assigned date on a colored postcard mailed to the enrollment address in early August.
Please have your child attend **only on the assigned staggered entry date**. Parents/guardians are responsible for childcare on the two days their child is not scheduled to attend school.
All kindergarten students will begin attending school together with their permanently assigned teacher on **August 27, 2026**.
Important Dates
* **Assigned Day 1:** August 24, 2026
* **Assigned Day 2:** August 25, 2026
* **Assigned Day 3:** August 26, 2026
Meet the Teacher
**August 26, 2026 | 4:30–6:00 p.m.**
Families may arrive anytime during this open-house event to meet their child's teacher. Teacher assignments will be available upon arrival, and staff members will be available to assist families.
First Day for All Kindergarten Students
**August 27, 2026**
Morning arrival begins at **7:15 a.m.**
What Will My Child Do During Staggered Entry?
Students will spend the day becoming familiar with **Haw River Elementary** while participating in activities designed to help them feel safe, welcomed, and excited about school.
Our Lion Cubs will:
* Tour the school
* Explore their classroom
* Meet classmates and staff
* Learn about our **ROAR expectations**
* Enjoy lunch and recess
* Meet our Music, Art, Media, and PE teachers
* Participate in beginning-of-year reading and math assessments
* Practice classroom and school routines
First-Day Information
Parent Drop-Off
On your child's staggered entry day only, up to one adult may walk their child to the classroom.
Beginning **August 27**, students will enter the building independently. Additional staff members will be available throughout the building to support our Lion Cubs as they make this transition.
Arrival & Dismissal
* **Arrival:** 7:15–7:50 a.m.
* Students arriving after **7:50 a.m.** will be marked tardy.
* **Dismissal begins:** 2:30 p.m.
* Early dismissal requests must be made by **1:00 p.m.**
Safety at Arrival
As part of ABSS district-wide safety procedures, all schools use **OpenGate metal detectors** during morning arrival. Students will walk through the detectors before entering the building.
Staff members will assist students as needed to ensure the process is quick, safe, and welcoming.
Families can help by ensuring backpacks contain only school-related items and supplies.
Helpful Kindergarten Reminders
* Bring school supplies to **Meet the Teacher on August 26**.
* Pack one easy-to-open snack each day.
* Send a labeled change of clothes in a zip-top bag to keep at school.
* School breakfast and lunch are available each day.
* Haw River Elementary is a **Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)** school, so breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost to students.
Welcome, Lion Cubs!
Starting kindergarten is a big milestone, and we are thrilled to begin this journey with your family. We encourage you to talk with your child about school, practice independence with everyday routines, and remind them that their HRE teachers and staff are here to help them learn and grow.
At Haw River Elementary, we **ROAR** together!
**R — Respect**
**O — Ownership**
**A — Academics**
**R — Resilience**
We look forward to partnering with your family as your child begins an exciting year of **learning, growth, friendship, and leadership** at Haw River Elementary!
**Welcome to HRE, Lion Cubs! 🦁**
Questions?
If you have questions about Kindergarten Staggered Entry or preparing your child for school, please contact the **Haw River office at 336-578-0177**.
As we enter the last week of school, we want to thank our students, families, and staff for an amazing year filled with growth, learning, and memories. We are excited to celebrate our students during upcoming awards ceremonies and recognize their hard work and accomplishments throughout the year.
As summer begins, we encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, read often, and enjoy time with family and friends. We are so proud of all our students for finishing the school year strong and cannot wait to see all the wonderful things they will accomplish in the future.
THERE IS NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, MAY 25 due to the Memorial Day holiday.
As we head into the final days of the school year, we want to encourage all students to finish strong! End-of-Grade testing for grades 3–5 will take place this week. Please help your child be prepared by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast filled with protein each morning. Encourage them to take their time, use their testing stamina, and keep pushing through even when questions feel difficult. We are proud of all the hard work our students have shown this year!
We also want to remind families that we currently have several illnesses going around the school community. Please help us keep everyone healthy by keeping students home if they have a fever, diarrhea, or are not feeling well. Students should remain home until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours without medication. Thank you for your continued support as we finish the year together!
REMINDERS: If your student requires bus transportation next year, you must complete the request form before June 5, 2026. All current and new bus riders have to complete the form. If you do not complete this form before June 5, 2026, you will not be guaranteed transportation when school begins in August.
Transportation Request Form: https://forms.gle/nTgEvSgQDao5LqPr8
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Pre-k celebration @ 10:30 am - Friday, May 29
Awards - Monday, June 1
1st-2nd grade awards 9-9:50 am
3rd-4th grade awards 10-10:50 am
5th grade awards and celebration - June 3 at 10:00 am
Kindergarten awards and celebration - June 5 at 9:00 am
As we begin End-of-Grade (EOG) testing, we encourage all students to come to school each day prepared and ready to do their best. A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, arriving on time, and bringing a positive attitude can make a big difference in helping students feel confident and successful. Please help your child stay focused by maintaining regular routines and encouraging them to show integrity by doing their own best work each day. We are proud of all the hard work our students have put in this year and know they are ready to shine!
Aquí tienen nuestro boletín informativo: https://app.smore.com/n/yvcqw
Ahora que damos comienzo a las pruebas de fin de grado (EOG), animamos a todos los estudiantes a asistir a la escuela cada día preparados y listos para dar lo mejor de sí mismos. Una buena noche de descanso, un desayuno saludable, llegar a tiempo y mantener una actitud positiva pueden marcar una gran diferencia para ayudar a los estudiantes a sentirse seguros y exitosos. Por favor, ayuden a sus hijos a mantenerse concentrados manteniendo rutinas regulares y animándolos a demostrar integridad realizando su mejor trabajo cada día. ¡Estamos orgullosos de todo el arduo trabajo que nuestros estudiantes han realizado este año y sabemos que están listos para brillar!
View our newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/j2hz3
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, every day counts! Students are wrapping up important learning, celebrating growth, and preparing for a strong finish. Consistent attendance helps children stay connected, confident, and ready for all the exciting end-of-year activities and celebrations ahead. Let’s work together to finish the year strong by making school attendance a priority each day.
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our PTO, Hospitality Committee, and families for showering our teachers and staff with so much love and appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week. Your kindness, generosity, and support mean so much to our school community and helped make our staff feel truly celebrated. Thank you for partnering with us and helping make our school such a special place!
It is time to save the dates for our upcoming celebrations!
May 29 - pre-k celebration
Awards - June 1
1st-2nd grade awards 9-9:50am
3rd-4th grade awards 10-10:50am
5th grade awards and celebration - June 3 at 10:00am
kindergarten celebration - June 5 at 9:00 am
Here's our newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/p457y
As we enter the final month of school, we are encouraging all students to finish strong by showing integrity in everything they do. Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching—completing assignments honestly, treating others with kindness, and taking responsibility for choices.
Attendance remains very important during these last few weeks. Every school day counts, as teachers are continuing instruction, reviewing key skills, and preparing students for a successful transition to the next grade level. Being present each day helps students stay on track academically and be part of all the exciting end-of-year activities.
Let’s work together to finish the year with strong attendance, positive choices, and a commitment to doing our best. Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we make this final month meaningful and successful for all students! 🌟📚
If your student requires bus transportation next year, you must complete the request form before June 5, 2026. All current and new bus riders have to complete the form. If you do not complete this form before June 5, 2026, you will not be guaranteed transportation when school begins in August.
Transportation Request Form: https://forms.gle/nTgEvSgQDao5LqPr8
Si su estudiante requiere transporte escolar para el próximo año, debe completar el formulario de solicitud antes del 5 de junio de 2026. Todos los usuarios del transporte escolar, tanto actuales como nuevos, deben completar el formulario. Si no completa este formulario antes del 5 de junio de 2026, no se le garantizará el transporte cuando comiencen las clases en agosto.
Formulario de solicitud de transporte: https://forms.gle/nTgEvSgQDao5LqPr8
Al entrar en el último mes del año escolar, animamos a todos los estudiantes a terminar con fuerza, demostrando integridad en todo lo que hacen. La integridad significa hacer lo correcto incluso cuando nadie nos observa: completar las tareas con honestidad, tratar a los demás con amabilidad y asumir la responsabilidad de nuestras decisiones.
La asistencia sigue siendo sumamente importante durante estas últimas semanas. Cada día escolar cuenta, ya que los maestros continúan impartiendo clases, repasando habilidades clave y preparando a los estudiantes para una transición exitosa al siguiente nivel académico. Estar presentes cada día ayuda a los estudiantes a mantenerse al día académicamente y a participar en todas las emocionantes actividades de fin de año.
Trabajemos juntos para terminar el año con una asistencia sólida, tomando decisiones positivas y con el compromiso de dar lo mejor de nosotros mismos. ¡Gracias por su continua colaboración y apoyo para hacer de este último mes una experiencia significativa y exitosa para todos los estudiantes! 🌟📚
