Back to School 2025-2026

Aug. 20: Emerson Elementary, Grades 1-5 New Student Welcoming Tour, 3 pm

Aug. 21:  Emerson Elementary, 4:30-6 pm (grades 1-5)
                     Grant Elementary, 4-5:30 pm
                     Hayes Elementary, 4:15-5:45 pm
                     Lincoln Elementary, 4:15-5:45 pm
                     Roosevelt Elementary, 4:15-5:45 pm

Aug. 25:  Harrison Elementary Kindergarten Orientation, 5:30-6:30 pm

Aug. 26:  Emerson Elementary Kindergarteners, 4-6:00 pm
                     Garfield Middle School Open House, 6-7:30 pm
                     Harding Middle School Open House, 6-7:30 pm
                     Harrison Elementary Kindergarten Open House, 5:30-6:30 pm
                     Horace Mann Elementary Kindergarten Open House, 4;30-5:30 pm; Grades 1-5 Open House, 5:30-7 pm

Aug. 28:  Lakewood High School/West Shore Career-Tech Open House, 6-7:30 pm       

Sept. 9:   Franklin School of Opportunity Meet the Teacher Night, 6:15-7:30 pm             

Sept. 11: Harrison Elementary Curriculum Night (grades 1-5), 5:30-7 pm                    

Aug. 14:  Garfield Middle School New Student Orientation, 12-1:30 pm
                     Garfield Middle School Family/Student Orientation, 2-3 pm & 6-7 pm (pick one)

                     Harding Middle School New Student Orientation, 8:30 am - 3 pm
                     Harding Middle School New Parent Orientation, 6-7 pm

                     Lakewood High School Ranger Jump Start, 12-6 pm

Supplies:

Supply lists are available under the Parents tab of the individual school web pages. Classroom teachers will provide supply lists for Lakewood High students on the first day of school.

Fees: 

The District uses an online payment system called PaySchools for families that wish to pay student fees online using a credit card. If you have not already done so, you will need to create a new account by visiting www.payschoolscentral.com and clicking on Register, entering your profile details, setting up your password via the email link that PaySchools sends to you, then logging in. Please note that you will need your child’s student ID number to complete the registration process.

You can create your new account at any time, and your child’s fees will automatically show up when they are assigned. Once you see that fees are due, you can follow the payment instructions on the PaySchools website. You can enter your credit card and/or banking information to use with your account or use guest checkout.

In addition to paying student fees, families will also be able to pay fees for extracurricular activities using PaySchools.

Those who do not wish to pay fees online may submit their payment to their school office or at the LHS Bookroom for high school students. If you have questions about fees, please contact your child’s school.

What is the cost of meals?:

See this meal cost sheet for prices for breakfast and lunch at all District buildings.

How do I apply for free & reduced meals?

Parents please go to https://www.payschoolscentral.com/ to complete the Free/Reduced Price Application and/or to add money to your student(s)'s accounts.

Where can I find out what's on the menu for the day?

The District uses an online menu program call My School Menus, which provides comprehensive information about our school meals, including nutrition content and allergy information. During the school year the link can be find on the Nutrition Services webpage.

How does the District communicate with families?

We communicate with our families and staff members through various channels: our website, Infinite Campus email messaging system, and our social media accounts. Individual schools and teachers will communicate through Infinite Campus and Google Classroom (depending on grade level). You can also bookmark our lakewoodcityschools.org website to view district and school news, calendars, forms,  and more.

Be sure to sign up  to receive  the District’s e-newsletter, District Doings. The newsletter is sent through Constant Contact at the beginning of each month, October through May.

Finally, follow Lakewood City Schools on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

How can I be sure I will receive all school and district communications?

Lakewood City Schools uses Infinite Campus for district and school communication. Email, text, and/or voice call notifications allow us to contact our school community within minutes.

Please review your contact information prior to the start of each school year when you update your child's Returning Student Data. If your email address or phone number changes during the school year, please contact your child's school office to update your contact information or visit the Infinite Campus parent portal.

Our Health Services webpage has comprehensive information about your child’s health while at school. You will find medicine authorization forms, health action plan forms, immunization requirements and much more, including when to keep your child home from school.

Safe Routes to School is a campaign to offer families different ways to get their children to and from school.  Such options include carpooling, walk pools (“walking school buses”), and bike pools. Lakewood Schools supports traffic and transportation safety efforts in and around schools, and is implementing Safe Routes to School and other student transportation safety efforts. This year LCS is partnering with NOACA to offer  Schoolpool across the district PreK-12. Stay tuned for more information.