By CHAD COOPER
With the first day of school less than five weeks away, Buchanan County Public Schools is encouraging families to complete required health forms, attend school meet-and-greet events, take part in back-to-school celebrations and take advantage of a free vaccination clinic before students return to class.
The 2026-27 school year begins Friday, Aug. 21, marking the opening of a new chapter for students across the county, including the inaugural year of Southern Gap High School.
School officials remind parents that all required physical examinations, immunization records and other health documentation must be completed before the first day of school. Families may also turn in those documents during school meet-and-greet events scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
At Southern Gap High School, students and families will have an opportunity to meet teachers, tour the new campus and become familiar with the school’s layout during the Aug. 19 meet-and-greet. Elementary and middle school students throughout the county also will have an opportunity to meet their teachers from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 19 at their respective schools.
In addition to the meet-and-greet events, schools and community partners have planned several Back-to-School Bash celebrations to help students and families prepare for the new academic year.
Riverview Elementary/Middle School will kick off the schedule with a Back-to-School Bash on Thursday, July 30, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the school.
Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School will host its event Saturday, Aug. 1, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Whitewood Volunteer Fire Department.
Council Elementary/Middle School and Tommy P. Justus Elementary/Middle School (Hurley Elementary/Middle School) will each hold Back-to-School Bash events on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at their respective schools.
Southern Gap High School will conclude the celebrations with its Back-to-School Bash on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the new high school, giving students and families another opportunity to become familiar with the campus before the first day of classes.
School officials said the events are designed to help students of all ages make a smooth transition into the new school year while allowing parents to meet faculty and staff, become familiar with school procedures and connect with available resources before classes begin.
Health requirements vary by grade level. Kindergarten students must have a current school physical and all required immunizations before attending classes.
Students entering seventh grade must receive the Tdap and meningococcal vaccines, while the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remains optional under Virginia guidelines.
Students entering 12th grade are required to receive the meningococcal vaccine before returning to school.
To help families meet those requirements, the Virginia Department of Health will host a free Back-to-School Vaccine Clinic on Thursday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Appointments may be scheduled by calling 276-935-4591, although walk-in patients also will be accepted throughout the day.
School officials encourage parents not to wait until the last minute to schedule physicals or vaccinations, noting that completing all required paperwork before classes begin will help ensure students can start the school year without delays.
The vaccination clinic, Back-to-School Bash events and school meet-and-greets are all part of the division’s effort to help families prepare for the opening of the 2026-27 school year and give students a successful start when classes begin Aug. 21.
