With just two weeks remaining before the first day of classes, Buchanan County Public Schools is reminding families to make sure students are ready for the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Students will return to classrooms across the county on Friday, Aug. 21, and school officials are encouraging parents to complete required physicals, immunizations and health paperwork before opening day. Families will also have opportunities to meet teachers, tour schools and submit required documents during upcoming meet-and-greet events.
Meet-and-greet events for Council Elementary/Middle School, Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School, Riverview Elementary/Middle School, and Tommy P. Justus Elementary/Middle School (formerly Hurley Elementary/Middle School) will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Southern Gap High School will welcome students and families during its meet-and-greet on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. The event will give students entering the county’s new consolidated high school an opportunity to meet teachers and staff, tour the building and become familiar with the campus before the first day of school.
School officials said parents may also turn in completed physical forms and immunization records during the meet-and-greet events.
To help families prepare, the Virginia Department of Health recently hosted a back-to-school vaccine clinic and continues to encourage parents to make sure students have all required immunizations before classes begin.
Virginia law requires incoming kindergarten students to have a current school physical and all required immunizations before entering school.
Students entering seventh grade must receive the Tdap and meningococcal vaccines before returning to school. The HPV vaccine is optional.
Students entering 12th grade are required to receive the meningococcal vaccine before the start of the school year.
School officials said completing physicals, vaccinations and required paperwork before Aug. 21 will help ensure a smooth start to the school year and avoid delays when students arrive for classes.
This year’s opening day also marks a historic milestone for Buchanan County Public Schools as Southern Gap High School opens its doors for the first time. The new school will serve students in grades 8-12 following the consolidation of the county’s four high schools.
CAPTION: Southern Gap High School will welcome students and families for a meet-and-greet from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 19, allowing them to meet teachers and staff, tour the new facility and complete required paperwork before Buchanan County Public Schools opens for the 2026-27 school year on Aug. 21. Contributed photo
