Back to School Newsletter | August 2026
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Dear SACS Families,
The excitement is building, and we can't wait to welcome our students back for another incredible school year! There is something special about the first day of school, the anticipation of new friendships, new opportunities, and new beginnings. Whether your child is walking into Pre-K or kindergarten for the very first time or beginning their final year at Homestead High School, we are honored to be part of their educational journey.
We are ready to welcome our students back on Wednesday, August 5, and look forward to an outstanding year together. (Click here for your student’s bell schedule).
As we begin the school year, I'd like to share a few important updates and reminders.
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Southwest Allen County Schools has long recognized the importance of minimizing distractions during the school day and has maintained expectations that limit student cell phone use during instructional time. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, a new Indiana law establishes statewide requirements for student wireless communication devices in schools.
In accordance with the new law, students may bring personal electronic devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, to school. However, these devices must remain powered off, stored away, and inaccessible during the school day. This approach supports focused learning environments while ensuring compliance with state law.
Below is a summary of the expectations by grade level. Families are encouraged to review their child's school handbook and the Board of School Trustees' policy for complete details. Click here to view the policy.
High School
Electronic devices must be powered off and stored in a backpack or locker, remaining inaccessible between 7:40 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Middle School
Electronic devices must be powered off, stored in a locker, and remain inaccessible throughout the school day.
Elementary School
Electronic devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, must be powered off, stored in the school's designated location, and remain inaccessible throughout the school day.
These expectations help create classrooms where students can remain focused, engaged, and actively connected with their teachers and classmates.
Please Note: We understand there may be occasions when families need to reach their child during the school day. As has always been the practice at SACS, parents and guardians should contact the school office if an urgent message needs to be relayed to a student. Likewise, if a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during the school day, school staff will assist them through the school office. This process ensures important communication can occur while maintaining a safe, focused learning environment for all students.
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Southwest Allen County Schools takes the health and safety of our students and staff seriously and follows a comprehensive Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety plan, along with established food safety procedures, in all school kitchens. Our food service staff are trained in proper food handling, receiving, storage, preparation, and sanitation practices to ensure all meals served meet rigorous safety standards. We partner only with reputable vendors that follow established food safety programs and industry standards, and all products served in our cafeterias are carefully sourced with student and staff well-being as our top priority. Regarding the current Cyclospora outbreak, SACS has been in communication with our produce supplier, who has provided assurance that products supplied to our schools follow appropriate food safety protocols and testing procedures. In accordance with USDA program guidelines, the leafy greens served in our cafeterias are sourced from growers within the United States. While there has been no indication that produce served in SACS cafeterias has been impacted, we believe in taking an abundance of caution when it comes to protecting our students and staff. As an added precautionary measure, we have temporarily closed all school salad bars and suspended the service of side salads throughout the month of August. The Food Service Department will continue to provide alternative meal options during this time and remains committed to serving safe, nutritious meals every day while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust practices as needed based on guidance from the FDA, CDC, Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), and Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). OTHER NEWS: The state has posted the 26-27 Free and Reduced Meal Application for the upcoming school year. Please click here to complete the application.Information about breakfast and lunch prices for the 2026–2027 school year are available on the SACS website. Families are encouraged to review meal pricing, menus, and other important back-to-school information before the start of school.
| Supplemental Consumable Fee |
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In May 2026, the Southwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees approved a $60 Supplemental Student Consumable Fee for all K–12 students. In the coming weeks, families will receive an invoice through ParentSquare Pay. Payment is due by October 16, 2026.
This annual fee helps offset the cost of classroom materials and instructional resources students use throughout the school year. In recent years, SACS has absorbed many of these expenses as Indiana law limited the ability of public schools to charge certain student fees. Recent changes to state law now allow school districts to recover a portion of these consumable costs, helping us continue to provide high-quality learning resources while responsibly managing district finances.
The Supplemental Student Consumable Fee helps support items such as:
- Classroom consumables and instructional supplies
- Hands-on learning materials
- Fine arts supplies
- STEM resources
- Other supplemental materials used throughout the school year
SACS remains committed to supporting every family while ensuring students have access to the resources they need to learn, grow, and succeed.
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Exciting improvements are taking shape across SACS! Playground renovations are underway at Haverhill, Aboite, and Covington elementary schools. The work includes removing the old equipment, completing site and drainage improvements, installing beautiful, state-of-the-art playground equipment, and finishing each space with turf. Completion remains on schedule, with the planned succession occurring in phases from September through October.
Upgrades to Summit Middle School’s track and field are also well underway.
While these projects may require a brief pivot as the school year begins, each school has developed plans to ensure students continue to have safe opportunities for recess, physical education, outdoor learning, athletics, and other activities.
We are excited to see these new spaces come to life and look forward to the opportunities they will provide for our students, staff, and community for years to come.
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A Little Grace Goes a Long Way
The first days of school are filled with excitement, new beginnings, and a few adjustments as everyone settles into new routines. Students are learning schedules, teachers are getting to know their classes, buses are establishing routes, and our schools are welcoming thousands of students each day.
During these first few weeks, we appreciate your patience and grace. You may experience a little extra traffic at arrival and dismissal, slightly longer bus rides, or occasional delays as we fine-tune our systems. Please know our staff is working diligently to make adjustments and ensure a smooth, safe, and successful start for every student.
Thank you for choosing Southwest Allen County Schools and for entrusting us with your children each day. We value our partnership and look forward to a school year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences.
On behalf of our Board of School Trustees, administrators, teachers, and staff, welcome back! Here's to an outstanding 2026–2027 school year!
Sincerely,
Joshua St. John Ph.D., Superintendent
Southwest Allen County Schools |
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