Students throughout the Escalon Unified School District will soon be heading back to class; the first day of school is Thursday, Aug. 8 so summer vacation is almost over.
Classrooms are being cleaned, summer work projects are being completed, and teachers are busy preparing for the start of the new school year, along with the administrative team in the district.
Start times vary by campus; schools in the district are Collegeville, Dent, Farmington and Van Allen elementary schools, El Portal Middle School, Vista High continuation, Escalon High School and Gateway Charter Academy.
Several of the sites have already hosted some events, such as the July 30 Panther Kick Off for incoming sixth graders at El Portal; with the seventh grade kickoff on July 31 and eighth grade kickoff on Aug. 1.
Escalon High School also welcomed incoming seniors and juniors to campus on July 30, with sophomores due on campus July 31. Incoming freshmen have their turn for an orientation event on Aug. 1.
The Dent Dragon kickoff for parents to bring in paperwork and learn who their child’s teacher is is set for July 31.
Once the year officially gets underway on Aug. 8, all sites are also planning Back To School nights to introduce parents to the school campuses, teachers and schedules.
Families throughout the district are also reminded that, for the 2024-2025 school year, the Escalon Unified School District will be participating in the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and the California State Universal Meals Program, said Food Service Manager Shelli Nicholas.
“This means that all students enrolled in Escalon Unified schools will receive breakfast and lunch free of charge,” she explained.
But, she added, it’s important that families complete and submit the Alternate Income Form found in the ‘first day packet’ provided to students. Families only need to complete one form per family, listing all their students on the form.
“Filling out the form allows us to continue to be eligible to participate in the programs that provide no cost meals to all students,” Nicholas said.
