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Back to School Guide

Welcome parents and families! School starts this year on Wednsday, Aug. 20. Please use these helpful links to navigate important tasks and reminders before school starts. We can’t wait to welcome our Eagles for Back to School!

Students in a preschool classroom sit on a carpet while the teacher holds up and reads from a picture book

Step 1: Be sure your student is enrolled

New students, or students transferring into Joplin Schools: parents and guardians will complete all enrollment forms in PowerSchool and provide necessary documents to their child's new school. Returning students: parents and guardians will complete an Annual Student Information Update in PowerSchool to ensure accurate contact information, health information, and more.

Find all Enrollment and Information Update Steps Here
Four middle school students stand around a science lab counter, all wearing safety goggles and working with a large pan of foaming contents during a science experiment.

Step 2: Gather School Supplies

School Supply lists are available for students in preschool through 8th grade. While no specific list is available for high school students, a few basic supplies to start the year will be helpful: pencils, highlighter, notebooks, folders. High School classes will be provided with lists of any specific supply needs after school starts and at the change of classes each semester. If your family is unable to provide school supplies for your student(s), please contact your school counselor for assistance. If you would like to provide additional supplies to benefit the classroom or other students in need, please contact your child's teacher.

Find School Supply Lists and Online Shopping Options Here
A blue school lunch tray is filled with a variety of lunch foods including cashew chicken with rice, vegetables, fruits, and a carton of milk.

Step 3: Complete the Annual Free/Reduced Meal Application

All families, regardless of income, should complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application annually in SchoolCafe. The application is available as an online form, or families can request a paper form from their school secretary or cafeteria manager. It is vital that ALL families complete the form, even if they did not qualify in previous years, as district budgets are dependent upon accurate data gathered from the Free/Reduced Meal Application. If you need help with the application, please contact the Nutrition Services Department at 417-625-5315.

Find the Free/Reduced Meal Application
Three young students stand alongside a small automated, talking bus during a bus safety event.

Step 4 - Find your Student's Bus Routes

UPDATE 8/1: Bus Routes for the 25-26 school year are still in process. Check back soon for official routes. Students eligible to ride the school bus will be automatically enrolled into an appropriate route at the beginning of the school year. Updated routes may be adjusted and communicated to parents as ridership needs change. Students who plan to ride the bus home in the afternoon on the first week of school are required to also ride the bus to school in the morning. Starting the second week of school, students are welcome to ride the bus home without any morning requirements. This process ensures our bus drivers are able to make accurate and safe stops while becoming familiar with new students on their route. Please note: Parents or guardians of kindergarten and first grade students must meet their student at the bus door and ask for their student by name. Siblings that are fourth grade or older may accompany kindergartners and first graders home instead of a parent or guardian.

Bus Routes Available Here Soon
The ParentSquare logo on a graphic cell phone screen

Step 5 - Download the ParentSquare App and Register Your Account

Stay in touch with your school, class, teacher, clubs, athletics, and district updates by registering for ParentSquare! ParentSquare is the only district-approved communication app, and is the most important way we plan to share updates and information with parents and families, including (but not limited to): - School cancellation for inclement weather - Tornado warnings and safety advisories - Class, school, and district newsletters - Direct Messages from teachers - Class, club, and athletics reminders - Field trip dates, forms, and photos

Activate your ParentSquare Account Today
A large group of middle school students stand in a circle in a large hallway.

Step 6 - Get Ready for Open House

Meet your student's teachers, see their classrooms, drop off school supplies, learn classroom procedures, and familiarize yourself with your school at Open House! Here are the Open House times and dates for 2025-26: Joplin Early Childhood: AM classes - 5:00-6:00PM Tuesday, Aug. 19 PM classes - 6:00-7:00PM Tuesday, Aug. 19 Elementary Schools: 5:30-6:30PM Monday, Aug. 18 Middle Schools: 6th Grade - 4:30-6:00PM Monday, Aug. 18 7th-8th Grade - 6:00-7:30PM Monday, Aug. 18 High School: 9th Grade Orientation - 8:00-11:30AM Friday, Aug. 15 Open House - 4:30-6:30PM Monday, Aug. 18