Skip to main content

School Begins in TWO WEEKS! Get Ready Now with our Back-to-School Checklist!

Posted Date: 8/07/25 (5:45 PM)

A colorful banner with school supplies and the words 'Back to School'.
✅ COMPLETE THE RETURNING STUDENT UPDATE IN SKYWARD ON AUGUST 8TH
  • Skyward will open after 4PM on Friday, August 8th. We recommend completing the Returning Student Update on a desktop/laptop computer rather than a mobile device. A parent/guardian will need to go through this step first in order to access their child's teacher, schedule and bus route information.
✅ VIEW YOUR CHILD'S SCHEDULE, TEACHER AND BUS ROUTE INFORMATION
After you've completed the Returning Student Update on August 8th, please log in from a desktop/laptop and select your child from the drop down to find:
  • Teacher/Schedule Information: In the left column, click on the "Schedule" tab. 
  • Bus Information: In the left column, click on the "Busing" tab. NOTE: Your bus information is subject to change between now and the start of the school year as we make adjustments and finalize routes. Please check Skyward once again closer to the start of school to see if there have been any updates to your child's bus stop or pick-up or drop-off time. 
  • Please note: Navigation in the app differs from these steps; we recommend you use a desktop/computer for the easiest navigation. 
✅ VERIFY YOUR PARENTSQUARE ACCOUNT
  • All users must go through a two-factor authentication step to confirm their email and cell phone number to log into www.parentsquare.com. The email and cell phone number must match the records we have in Skyward. If you have already verified your account and there have been no changes in your contact information or account from last year, you will not need to complete this step and you will be automatically logged into the system. If you've forgotten your password, please click "Forgot Password" to reset it. 
✅ SET YOUR NOTIFICATION PREFERENCES IN PARENTSQUARE
ParentSquare allows users to customize their notifications based on notification type and also select their preferred delivery method for each school. You can choose between "instant" and "digest" notifications. The "instant" setting will send all post notifications in real-time. The "digest" setting sends direct messages, alerts, and time-sensitive posts instantly, but sends all non-time sensitive posts around 6:30PM, thus reducing the number of notifications you receive daily. (We recommend the "digest" setting.)
  • From www.parentsquare.com: On your home page, click your name and select "My Account." Then, select "Notification Settings."
  • If you are using the mobile app: From your home screen, click the triple bar in the top left corner. Click on "Account," then "Notifications."
A school district calendar for 2025-2026, with dates and events highlighted.
✅ ADD MONEY TO YOUR CHILD'S LUNCH ACCOUNT
  • If you prefer to send in cash or a check, please make your check payable to "ETSD" and place it in a clearly-marked "BREAKFAST/LUNCH MONEY" envelope with your student's name, teacher/homeroom, grade and ID#.
✅ APPLY NOW FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH
  • Applications being accepted now! If you need help completing the application, please contact our Food Services Department at 610-779-0700
✅ COMPLETE NEW HEALTH FORMS
  • If your child has seizures, allergies, asthma, needs medication at school, or has any health concerns the nurse should be aware of, please complete the appropriate form(s) to give to the school nurse. 
✅ PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES
School supplies lists are here: https://www.exetersd.org/school-supplies
  • Please contact your school should you need help purchasing school supplies.
✅ PAY YOUR STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE
For students in 7th-12th grade who intend to play a sport or participate in clubs or other extracurricular activities, payment of your yearly student activity fee can now be made online on ParentSquare.
✅ REVIEW YOUR STUDENT HANDBOOK
View your handbook here: https://exetersd.org/student-handbooks

✅ REVIEW SCHOOL START/END TIMES, COMMUTER DROP-OFF PROCEDURES & COMPLETE TRANSPORTATION FORMS
We can't wait to see you on time for the first day of school!
✅ RENEW OR SUBMIT YOUR CLEARANCES TO VOLUNTEER OR CHAPERONE
  • Clearances are good for five years for parents and volunteers who wish to chaperone field trips or participate in school volunteer activities. 
✅ ATTEND A NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Students who are new to schools are invited to attend our New Student Orientations on:

Senior High:
  • August 13th: 6-8PM
Junior High:
  • August 7th: 6-8PM
  • August 11th: 9-11AM
Reiffton:
  • August 14th: 6-7PM
Elementaries:
  • August 15th at 10-11AM or 1-2PM
  • PLUS! Sneak-A-Peek on August 20th: 3-5PM
✅ MEET YOUR CHILD'S TEACHERS
Meet your child's teachers on:
  • Owatin Creek: August 25th from 5-7PM
  • Jacksonwald: August 26th from 5-7PM
  • Lorane: August 27th from 5-7PM
  • Junior High: September 2nd from 6-8PM 
  • Reiffton: September 4th from 5-7PM
  • Senior High: September 11th from 6-8PM
✅ GET READY FOR PICTURE DAY
  • Jacksonwald: October 1st
  • Lorane: September 16th
  • Owatin Creek: October 15th
  • Reiffton: September 23rd
  • Junior High: September 3rd
  • Senior High: August 21st (9th-11th only)

We're here to help! Should you have questions about anything not covered here, please ask at your child's New Student Orientation, call your child's school or comment in ParentSquare for help! Enjoy the rest of your summer!