HCPSSGetting Ready for 2025-2026: Prepping for Day One
August 21st, 2025
This part of a series of back-to-school information items. Additional information related to the 2025-2026 school year can be found online, and will be continually updated as details become available.
Student and Parent Handbook
The Student & Parent Handbook is updated for the 2025-2026 school year and can be found online. The Handbook outlines districtwide practices and policies related to parents and students, including school procedures, student responsibilities and more. Also online is the Student Code of Conduct, which provides a framework for behavioral goals and disciplinary policies that students are expected to adhere to.
Student Schedules Now Available
Students and parents/guardians can log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy to view schedules including courses, teachers, and room numbers. After logging in, select Class Schedule from the left menu.
Transportation
Revisions to Board of Education Policy 5200 Student Transportation resulted in more students eligible for bus transportation this school year. The online HCPSS bus locator application is now available and can be found on the HCPSS Transportation webpage. Please review your child’s bus number and be sure they know it and check before boarding a bus. Changes to bus stop locations are made on an ongoing basis as routes are designed and/or revised. The location and times listed online include the most up to date information.
Families whose children are served by Zum buses can download the company’s free mobile app to track buses and/or receive notifications.
Walk Area Maps
The 2025-2026 student walk area maps are available and have been posted to the footer of each school’s website.
Student Meals & Payments
HCPSS will continue to use LINQ Connect, a secure, online portal that allows families to make online payments to their child’s meal account, monitor their child’s account, schedule automatic recurring payments, set up low balance alerts, submit a Free and Reduced Meals program application, and more. Complete information on the HCPSS Food and Nutrition Services program is available online.
Health Services
Health Services information can be found online and will be continually updated. All students, staff and visitors should perform daily health checks and may not enter an HCPSS bus or building if they exhibit any signs of a communicable disease. Details, including infection control protocols for communicable diseases, are available online.
Help Keep Schools Pest-Free
Food is one of the main reasons rodents try to get inside buildings. As such, HCPSS is asking families to take several steps to help decrease the likelihood of rodent infestations.
Board of Education Policies
Families are reminded of updates last year or effective this year to Board of Education policies, including but not limited to:
- Policy 5140 Student Participation in Telehealth Appointments
- Policy 5200 Student Transportation
- Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools and Social Media
- Policy 9250 Weapons
Complete Board policies and information can be found at https://policy.hcpss.org.
Reminders
Take Action! Complete Your Family File Today
HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to supply emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child every year.
Student Personal Device Use
Parents/guardians should remind students that personal technology devices are to be put away and silenced, and not a distraction during the student day. Some exceptions may apply, including for students whose IEP, 504 or health plan allow for device use. Full details are available online.