Back to School Info for You

Posted Date: 08/03/26 (10:00 AM)

Nooksack Elementary Notes Home

August 3, 2026

Getting Ready for Back to School!

A Note from Principal Brown

Welcome! Bienvenidos!

This is Katie Brown, your principal. Hello, and happy summer!

At Nooksack Elementary, we are here to love your children and help them grow. And when I say we, I truly mean all of us. Our teachers and staff are off-the-charts amazing, and it's a privilege to partner with your family.

As August arrives, I know many families begin thinking about back-to-school, so I hope this first round of information is helpful. If you ever have a question, concern, or simply want to connect, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help and love connecting with you!

Sincerely,

Katie Brown

katie.brown@nv.k12.wa.us

If you haven't met Principal Brown yet... this is me...

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the first day of school?

The first day is Thursday, August 27th for 1st - 5th grade.
The first day for Kindergarten is Tuesday, September 1st.
For Kinder, a family meeting will take place on either 8/27, 8/28 or 8/31.
The elementary schedule for all students is Monday-Friday, 9:00am-3:15pm.

What else do Kindergarten families need to know?

Please attend our "Ready for K" event on Monday, August 24th from 5:00-7:00pm at school.
This is for in-coming Kinder students and families.
It is essential that you and your child attend to determine class placement.
Pizza dinner at 5:00pm, followed by a Kindergarten Experience.

What about TK and Early Learning?

Our Early Learning programs will be located at Everson and Sumas Elementary schools next year. This includes our Nooksack Elementary students. A staff member from the program will be in touch with you in August.

When will we find out who our child's teacher is?

Teachers and class lists will be available at our Welcome Back Meet & Greet on Wednesday, August 26, from 3:30–4:30 p.m. You can also check Skyward.

At the Meet & Greet, families can:

Find out who their child's teacher is.
Visit classrooms and meet teachers.
Reconnect with friends before the first day of school.

August 26 is the day before school starts. That feels later than usual.

You're right, it is later than we've done in the past.

This year's school calendar is different because Labor Day falls much later than usual, which shifts the timing of staff workdays and the start of school. Releasing class lists on August 26 gives our teachers the time they need to thoughtfully prepare classrooms, finalize class placements, and be ready to welcome students on the first day.

We know the wait can feel long, but we appreciate your understanding. Our goal is to make Meet & Greet a fun, welcoming kickoff to a great school year!

What is the Meet & Greet?

A Welcome Back event for all Nooksack Elementary students and families.

Wednesday, August 26

3:30–4:30 p.m.

Come:

Meet your teacher.
Visit your classroom.
Say hello to friends and staff.
Enjoy a free popsicle provided by our Families for Nooksack PTO.
Head home feeling excited and ready for the first day of school! Let's Go!!

When does the front office open?

Our office will be open starting Friday, August 21st.
Feel free to call and leave a message, and office staff will return your call as soon as possible throughout August.

Is breakfast and lunch available at no cost again this year?

Yes! Breakfast and lunch will be available to all students at no charge.

Does the district provide school supplies?

Yes, the Nooksack Valley School District provides all school supplies for students.
Families only need to provide a backpack and water bottle.

When is the Community Resource Fair?

Wellness and Resource Fair on Thursday, August 20th from 4:00-7:00pm at the Middle School.
Backpacks, immunizations, health screenings, local activities for students and more.

"Families for Nooksack" PTO News

Events, opportunities to get involved, connections

Join our Facebook Page

First Day of School FAQs

Can I walk my child to class on the first day?

No, please drop students off at the drop-off zones. Staff members will be there to help students. Drop-off zones are located in the back of the school, around the “driveway loop.”
Busses will drop off in the front of the school.
For the safety of all students, we can not allow visitors to walk our hallways and visit classrooms without a background check and volunteer paperwork.

How does drop off and pick up work?

DROP OFF:

Students can be dropped off starting at 8:50am.
Drop off is in the back of the school, following the "driving loop" around the school clockwise.
There are two drop off zones (K-2 at the Kinder wing and 3-5 at the Intermediate wing)
To keep the drop off line moving, please don't get out of your car. A supervising adult will be present at each location to greet students and help keep things flowing.

PICK UP:

Students can be picked up starting at 3:15pm.
There is one pick-up zone at the Kindergarten wing. This is so siblings can get picked up together.
Staff will be there to help.

How do I volunteer?

Thank you for volunteering! We love having our families at school.

Fill out the volunteer paperwork online or come get a copy at school. We will have them available at the Meet & Greet!
Bring the papers to school or the district office in-person. We must see a valid ID and sign it together.
Volunteer paperwork is valid for 2 years. Please call the office once school starts to make sure your volunteer status is good for this year.
We send out volunteer opportunities via Parent Square often.
You can also get involved in our PTO and with your classroom teacher.