2026-27 School Year Preparation

Posted Date: 07/21/26 (03:52 PM)

Forward 466

Our Future, Our Health, Our District

Early Preparation for the 26-27 School Year

Beaver Nation! We are just under a month away from the beginning of the 26-27 school year, but do not let this newsletter disrupt your summer fun! A few announcements below will help prepare for the start of the year. We are looking forward to more success with our students and families in the upcoming months!

Student Personal Electronic Communications Legislation – AKA Cell Phone Ban

One of the biggest topics in school news last spring was the passing of a law to ban the use of personal electronic communication devices by students during the school day. HB 2299 was the final product, and this bill requires that schools make student-owned cell phones, smart watches, ear buds, etc. inaccessible during the school day.

This intent of this law is to eliminate the distraction devices create to the focus of education’s mission to prepare students academically. USD 466 has had a cell phone ban in place for nearly six years, so this concept is not new to us. There are, however, updates in how we carry out the ban in our definition of “inaccessible” and the disciplinary actions taken when the policy is not adhered to.

A few highlights in the updates:

“Inaccessible” will mean students can store powered off devices in their lockers.
If devices are confiscated from students, parents will be required to retrieve the devices in the office, and detentions, ISS, and OSS disciplinary actions will be consequences.
All devices our students have used in the past, including cell phones, smart watches, and ear buds, are included. If other, newer devices surface that meet the intent of the law and policy, they will be added to the list.

At the July board meeting, the USD 466 Board of Education added school policy JCDC to meet the requirements of the law. Board policy can be found at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Q8rzHFe_BMHI0tiuINMAZAdjcDP0LaUf

Building handbooks will be available by the end of the first week in August, and will include specific information pertaining to each building.

A dark blue 'S' and 'C' monogram with a light blue outline.

Communication Platform

HB 2299 also put limits on the platforms schools use to communicate to students, groups and teams, and parents. The intent of this bill is to assure that communications between staff members and the students and families they work with can be monitored. In the past we have used Sports You and Group Me as methods to communicate information, but they do not meet the oversight standard set by this new law.

Last year we implemented Parent Square, and slowly grew into it throughout the 25-26 school year. Moving into the 26-27 school year, Parent Square will be our platform for communications from the school.

We are still able to post information on our Facebook pages, and intend to do that by sending reminders and highlighting student achievements. Communications through Facebook will no longer happen as we will no longer allow replies to our posts.

If the move away from previous platforms causes frustration, we apologize. Regardless, Parent Square is a quality option and will protect the communication process for all involved.

Enrollment Preparation

School building offices will open August 3, and we intend to open enrollment online on August 5. If anything causes the enrollment date to be pushed back, we will communicate this via Parent Square and each school’s Facebook account.

School supply lists will be made available during the first week of August on the district website. Some schools have posted their supply lists on their Facebook page. You can also take advantage of the School Tool Box program established by the Beaver Backers. This is an online option for students in grade PK-8 to order online and have supplies delivered directly to you. The link to the School Tool Box on the Beaver Backers Facebook page can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EgirD3pwi/.

If any family needs help with the cost of school supplies, please contact the office where your student will be enrolled.

Dates to Consider

As you make final summer plans, upcoming appointments, and trips, you may want to know a few dates when school is scheduled to NOT be in session so your student can avoid absences.

Notable days and scheduled “No School” days are:

August 19, The first day of school.
September 5 - 7, Labor Day weekend
September 28, Professional Development Day
October 23, Professional Development Day
November 23 – 29, Thanksgiving Week
December 21 through January 4, Winter Break and Teacher Workday
February 1, Professional Development Day
February 26, No School
March 15 – 21, Spring Break
March 26 – 29, Spring Weekend
April 26, Professional Development Day
After May 20, Last Day of School

Graphic illustrating 'Future Driven Healthy Lifestyles' with icons for education, ideas, and achievement.

Needs Assessment/Dashboard

Each year at the July board meeting, the school board considers the district’s needs assessment. The Needs Assessment report, also called our District Dashboard, is updated throughout the school year as information becomes available, and you can review it at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-jImtAlNhyJbOtziuHH0nJV_5WIhv4ZY/view.

You can also find the district’s Strategic Plan at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u6oahaYXsaMxFWCDlZDR20Vbfv8v_HDi/view.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

District Office 620-872-7600

Scott City Elementary School 620-872-7660

Scott City Middle School 620-872-7640

Scott Community High School 620-872-7620

Visit our webpage at: