As we prepare for another great school year, we ask all students and families to review the 2026–2027 Student Handbook and become familiar with the district's dress code expectations.
Our goal is to provide a safe, positive, and distraction-free learning environment where every student can focus on academic success. Students are expected to wear clothing that is appropriate, promotes proper hygiene, and follows the district's dress code.
A few important reminders:
👕 Shirts
• Must completely cover the chest, back, and midsection—even when arms are raised.
• No strapless, halter, spaghetti strap, sheer, or narrow-strap tops.
• Tank top straps must be at least 3 inches wide (approximately the width of a driver's license).
• No pajama tops.
• Undergarments must not be visible.
👖 Pants, Shorts, Skirts & Dresses
• Must be worn at the waist.
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be fingertip length.
• Pants with rips or holes above fingertip length that expose skin must be worn with leggings underneath or have permanent patches covering the holes.
• Leggings may only be worn with shirts that are fingertip length.
• No pajama bottoms.
• Undergarments must not be visible.
👟 Shoes
• Shoes with hard soles must be worn at all times.
• Bedroom shoes/slippers are not permitted.
🧢 Accessories
• Hats, hoods, caps, bandanas, towels, and similar items may not be worn inside the building unless approved by the principal.
• Clothing or accessories that are unsafe, gang-related, vulgar, profane, sexually suggestive, or promote tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or weapons are prohibited.
🥤 Additional Reminders
• No outside restaurant or fast food.
• Water is the only outside drink permitted. Energy drinks are not allowed.
• Metal or glass drinkware (including Stanley-style cups), glass personal care items, and similar prohibited items should remain at home.
We encourage all families to review the complete dress code and school expectations together before the first day of school. Your partnership helps create a respectful, positive learning environment for all students.
Thank you for helping us start the 2026–2027 school year strong!
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles-backend.assets.thrillshare.com%2Fdocuments%2Fasset%2Fuploaded_file%2F4056%2FPsd%2Fc3f94bc2-bd67-4c5a-a313-f7db4027d8e0%2FFY27-PSD-Student-Handbook.pdf%3Fdisposition%3Dinline%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSUMyTm5zaGJIcDBPaVVabHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7bOfZw1OfqnNfFawh6EP_XGzA0QKM6HF52kliE7ORwwypKejBo7U5wMkHciw_aem_OHp4-N-c_BXZx9s5-bYBAQ&h=AUB4CXdxQGpybHLMuh_9quKTgTOd6u4_xpbM5JB-zBKN-pZ-VsOCg8PgcD4Os8phw8ynvxNwoBsIYmAsD46IEpJXd7DxMk_oy-bFRu2OHeDpiM9bjCwZzOJsRjzSB7IXyInNsVNZasfo1vll&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AUAtpwdNxgQP46ueeFQlTd87YQzG6UCTRh5Vn_YOa6VfSN6a3_co772FnVNfavChITKNfgoRarvsoczkI3GcI6p6PHvh4edQ2_jvt4wj-qqJH4Qlt5d2dGZP6Wybdrff2lv3QkYmZMNcR8Efn1MEaVu9qIxegQZNH6nHioi9f2wpsYEYfiNT1S0JxfZ5Gcbmm-6n9tjfzcC7pxMr-xu86t_DLg
As you prepare for a great start to the new school year, here are the 2026–2027 school start and dismissal times for all Polk School District schools.
Elementary School:
🚗 Drop-Off Begins: 7:00 a.m.
🔔 School Starts: 7:30 a.m.
🏠 Dismissal: 2:30 p.m.
Middle School:
🚗 Drop-Off Begins: 7:15 a.m.
🔔 School Starts: 7:45 a.m.
🏠 Dismissal: 3:20 p.m.
High School:
🚗 Drop-Off Begins: 7:30 a.m.
🔔 School Starts: 8:00 a.m.
🏠 Dismissal: 3:25 p.m.
Please allow extra travel time during the first few days of school as everyone settles into their routines.
Thank you for your patience and continued partnership as we begin another exciting school year. Together, we can make it a successful year for every student!
#PSDProud #BackToSchool2026
⚠️YOUNGS GROVE MEAL DISTRIBUTION DELAYED START TO 3:30 P.M.⚠️
Due to some mechanical difficulties with the delivery truck, the summer meals distribution at Youngs Grove Elementary will be delayed until 3:30 p.m. today.
📅 Thursday, July 16th
⏰ Pickup Time
3:30 p.m.
📍 Pickup Locations
Youngs Grove Elementary School
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
#PSDProud #Summer #SchoolNutrition
✏️ Back to School 2026-2027: Elementary School Supply List! 🎒
As we gear up for an incredible school year ahead, we want to help you get a head start on your back-to-school prep.
Below is our district-wide general elementary school supply list.
Kindergarten-2nd Grade
Bookbag
Pencil box or pouch
3-ring binder (½ inch)
Pencils
2 Primary composition notebooks
2- 2 Pocket folders with prongs
Scissors (blunt tip)
2 Boxes of 24-count crayons
6 Jumbo glue sticks
Cap erasers
Headphones (not earbuds)
Kleenex
1 Package of colored pencils
1 Package of washable markers
1 Washable watercolor set
3rd-5th Grade
Bookbag
Pencil pouch
3-ring binder (½ inch)
Pencils (not lead)
3 composition notebooks
2 Pocket folders (solid colors)
Scissors
Crayons
Colored pencils
Glue sticks
Cap erasers
Headphones or earbuds
Kleenex
2 packs of wide ruled paper
1 pack of tab dividers with pockets
Optional Supplies for K-5
Liquid soap
Hand sanitizer
Band-Aids
Baby wipes
Ziploc Bags (Quart and/or Gallon sizes)
Large Pink pearl erasers
⚠️ Please Note: This is a basic, general list for elementary students. Because classrooms differ, we highly recommend chatting with your child’s specific teacher during Open House before buying too many specialized items!
Pre-K Families: Your little ones only need a backpack and a blanket for nap time. Baby wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, and classroom snacks are always appreciated!
Middle & High School Families: Students in grades 6-12 do not have a general list and will receive individualized supply lists directly from their teachers during the first week of school.
We can't wait to see all of our students back in the buildings soon. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we will see you at Open House! ☀️
📢 Returning Student Enrollment for the 2026-2027 School Year is NOW OPEN! 📢
Attention parents and guardians: It’s time to get ready for another fantastic school year! Annual enrollment forms for are mandatory for all returning.
Please note that these forms must be completed before your student can participate in the following:
🏫 Attending Open House
📅 Picking up class schedules
🚗 Purchasing a student parking pass
Beating the rush now means a much smoother start to the fall!
🔗 Click here to complete your forms: https://powerschool.polk.k12.ga.us/public/home.html
Instructions can be found on our website in the Parent Resources section : https://www.polk.k12.ga.us/documents/resources/parent-resources/registration-forms/472015
School secretaries will be out of the office until July 16th. They can assist you at that time with student access IDs and access passwords. If you need to reset your password on your parent account, please click the reset password link.
Let's get a head start on a great year ahead! ✨
July summer meal dates are HERE! 🍕🍓 Check out the updated Summer Meals Program schedule below to find a location and time near you.
Here is everything you need to know about our upcoming July distributions:
📅 July Distribution Dates
Thursday, July 9th
Thursday, July 16th
Thursday, July 23rd
⏰ Pickup Time
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Pickup Locations
You can pick up meals at either of these convenient locations:
Youngs Grove Elementary School
Van Wert Elementary School
🍎 Program Details
Each pickup provides a full 7-day bulk meal kit. Limit one breakfast and one lunch per child per day.
Meals are 100% FREE for all Polk County families with children ages 18 and under.
No registration is required. Just show up during the designated times to grab your weekly meal kits. Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with your friends, neighbors, and family!
#PSDProud #Summer #SchoolNutrition
The 2026-2027 school year is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see our students! Mark your calendars for our upcoming Open House events and schedule pick-ups.
Here is everything you need to know to get ready:
🗓️ Open House & Schedule Pick-Up Dates
Elementary Schools: Monday, August 3, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Middle Schools: Monday, August 3, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
9th Grade Academy (CHS & RHS): Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Grades 10–12 Schedule Pick-Up: Please refer directly to your specific high school’s website or social media pages for exact dates and details.
⚠️ Important Reminder for Parents & Guardians
Returning Student Registration for grades 1-12: All returning student registration forms must be completed online before you can attend Open House, 9th Grade Academy, or pick up your student's schedule.
If you haven’t completed these forms yet, please log into your parent portal as soon as possible to ensure a smooth start to the year!
We are looking forward to an incredible school year together. See you soon! 🎒✨
#PSDProud #BackToSchool2026 #PSDOpenHouse
☀️ FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR POLK COUNTY KIDS! ☀️
The Polk School District School Nutrition Department is excited to announce the return of our Summer Meals Program! We are dedicated to ensuring our community's children stay happy, healthy, and well-fed all summer long.
Here is everything you need to know about our upcoming June distributions:
📅 June Distribution Dates
Thursday, June 4
Thursday, June 11
Thursday, June 18
Thursday, June 25
July Dates: Stay tuned! July distribution dates will be announced soon.
⏰ Pickup Time
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Pickup Locations
You can pick up meals at either of these convenient locations:
Youngs Grove Elementary School
Van Wert Elementary School
🍎 Program Details
Each pickup provides a full 7-day bulk meal kit. Limit one breakfast and one lunch per child per day.
Meals are 100% FREE for all Polk County families with children ages 18 and under.
No registration is required. Just show up during the designated times to grab your weekly meal kits. Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with your friends, neighbors, and family!
#PSDProud #Summer #SchoolNutrition
Join us!
Polk School District is excited to announce our Pre-K/Kindergarten registration dates for the 2026-2027 school year!
✶Monday, February 23, 2026
✶Monday, March 2, 2026
✶Monday, March 9, 2026
Please be sure to carefully review the requirements listed on the attached flyer.
✶Students will not be able to register without a legal parent/guardian present*
✶Legal parent/guardian MUST have a valid photo ID**
✶You must provide a valid proof of residency
✶All current pre-k students MUST register for kindergarten
***Students MUST register at their zoned elementary school***
Please contact the school for which you are zoned if you have any questions.
Today, Northwest Georgia RESA Executive Director Brian Otott and Let’s Read, Georgia! Literacy Coach LeAnne Jones presented Polk School District schools with trophies and books in recognition of their outstanding performance in the Let’s Read, Georgia! literacy campaign this fall.
Polk School District finished 1st overall among participating districts, with several schools earning top honors among schools:
🥇 1st Place : Van Wert Elementary – 16,672 books read
🥈 2nd Place: Northside Elementary – 10,049 books read
🥉 3rd Place: Youngs Grove Elementary – 4,500 books read
The Ready, Set, Read! Campaign, held September 1 – October 10, 2025, is a statewide literacy initiative designed to inspire children, families, and educators to read together and celebrate the joy of reading across Georgia. The campaign highlighted the collective commitment of Georgia’s Regional Education Service Agencies to advance literacy through meaningful engagement with school communities.
During the campaign:
📖 More than 60,000 books were logged statewide
🏫 Participation included 167 districts and 548 schools
📚 Over 17,000 unique book titles were read
👨👩👧 Parents logged more than 24,000 read-alouds
Participation was seen across every region of the state, with Let’s Read, Georgia Literacy Coaches, districts, and school communities rising to the top of the leaderboard. Polk School District is proud to be part of this incredible statewide effort to promote literacy and a love of reading.
Be sure to keep an eye out for another Let’s Read, Georgia campaign coming this February—and get ready to read, log, and compete for the top prizes once again! 📚🏆
#letsreadgeorgia #readsetread #nwgaresa #psdproud
Grab yours here ➜ https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/83268608/cozy-christmas-classics-cedartown-cedartown-performing-arts-center?country=US&language=en
Congratulations to our Students of the Month for unlocking new achievements in learning and character! 🌟
5th Grade: Beau Cates
4th Grade: Olivia Wratten
3rd Grade: Journee Slaton
2nd Grade: Presley Renfroe
1st Grade: Jaxon Davis
Kindergarten: Estrellita Reynoso Tomas
Pre-K: Christopher Young
We’re so proud of you for LEVELING UP! 🚀🎉
Join our statewide reading race where every book counts! Parents, teachers, and community members are invited to log books read with Georgia’s children and help us compete for literacy glory. ✨
📅 Today through October 3
🌐 Log your books here: https://lrg.georgiaresa.org/campaign/ready-set-read
Let’s show how much Cherokee loves to read—together we can race to the top! 🚦📖❤️
We are so proud to celebrate our students’ incredible success on the Georgia Milestones!
✨ 3rd Grade – District leaders in reading, with Lexile scores above the state average.
✨ 5th Grade – District leaders in ELA achievement, Lexile reading scores, math, and science, scoring above the state average in both ELA and science!
This achievement reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, and the unwavering support of our families and community. ❤️🐾
Together, we’re showing that every student can rise, lead, and achieve greatness!
Join us for Technology Night on Thursday, August 28th, from 5:00–6:00 PM! 💻✨
We’ll walk you through navigating online classrooms and PowerSchool, so you can stay connected with your child’s learning all year long.
📅 Date: August 28
🕔 Time: 5–6 PM
📍 Location: Cherokee Elementary
Bring your questions, your curiosity, and let’s get tech-ready together! 🚀
It’s time to complete your student’s Annual Online Registration Forms for the 2025-2026 school year! 🌟
All forms are available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal and must be completed to ensure your student 's information is updated and accurate!
✅ Update contact info
✅ Confirm emergency contacts
✅ Review important district policies
✅ Authorize school nurse care
🖥️ Log in to PowerSchool today and get it done in just a few minutes from the comfort of your home: https://powerschool.polk.k12.ga.us/public/pw.html
Need help logging in? Contact your school’s office—we’re here to help!
Let’s get ready for a great year! 💙📚✏️
🚌 MEET YOUR DRIVER AT OPEN HOUSE 🚌
If your student plans to ride a bus during the 2025-2026 school year, please plan to visit with a member of the transportation department at Open House:
🚌 Meet your driver
📋 Complete bus rider registration forms
📍 Get your pick-up/drop-off times & locations
Drivers and staff will be available during the following times at Open House on August 5, 2025:
Elementary Schools
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Middle Schools
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Pre-K students will need a regular-sized backpack and one small blanket or towel. Additional information will be given at Pre-K Orientation.
Middle School and High School supply lists will be provided by individual teachers.
