Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to the start of another exciting school year at Union High School! I hope your family has enjoyed a safe, relaxing, and rewarding summer. We are eager to welcome our students back and begin the 2026–2027 school year together.

The first day of school for all students in the Union School District is Wednesday, August 26. Student class schedules are available through the FOCUS Parent and Student Portal. If a schedule adjustment is necessary, requests should be made this week using the following form https://forms.gle/Cmpum4hPjpQZD6qF9 or by contacting Mrs. Gallo in the office. Mrs. Gallo will be making arrangements for schedule change appointments (if needed) on August 11 and 12. Mrs. Weckerly, our new school counselor, will also be available to answer any questions regarding scheduling. If you are scheduled for fewer than 6.5 credits, please contact the school so that we can make any necessary scheduling changes for you.

Before classes begin, we invite families to attend our annual orientation and open house on Tuesday, August 25. Sixth-grade students and their parents or guardians are invited to report to the cafeteria for an orientation presentation, which will begin at 2:00 p.m. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. Families of students in grades 7–12 are also welcome to visit the building, starting at 2:30 p.m., to meet teachers, locate classrooms, and become familiar with the school. The open house will conclude at 3:00 p.m.

Prompt attendance is an important part of student success. Students must be seated in their assigned classroom by 7:43 a.m. each day. Arrivals after that time will be recorded as tardy. Please review the Student Handbook for information regarding the relationship between excessive unexcused tardies and truancy.

Whenever a student is absent, a written excuse must be submitted within three school days of the student's return for the absence to be considered excused. Families may submit excuses through FOCUS, deliver them to the School Police Officer or Attendance Secretary, or email them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Once a student has accumulated ten parent/guardian excuses, any additional absences must be verified by a healthcare provider to qualify as excused.

To promote a safe learning environment, all students will enter the building through the main entrance each morning. The front loop is reserved exclusively for school buses. Parents who transport their children should use the rear parking lot and drop students off along the sidewalk before reaching the bus loop.

As students enter the building, they will remove items from their backpacks that could activate the security screening equipment before proceeding through the metal detectors. After being cleared by School Police Officers, students who choose to eat breakfast should report directly to the cafeteria. All other students should report to the main gymnasium until the school day begins. Students should not remain in the main lobby during morning arrival.

As announced earlier this summer, Union High School will be implementing a phone-free learning environment through the use of Yondr pouches. Phones and other personal electronic devices should be placed in the Yondr bags before proceeding through the metal detectors. We encourage every family to review the informational letter and Frequently Asked Questions to better understand how this initiative will operate throughout the school year.

Recognizing and celebrating positive choices continues to be an important priority at Union High School. Through our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, students will have opportunities each marking period to earn incentives and participate in special activities by consistently demonstrating responsible behavior. Expectations may be adjusted throughout the year based on student data and school needs.

The 2026–2027 Student Handbook is available on the district website for your review. We encourage families to read the handbook together, as it contains important information regarding school procedures, expectations, and student responsibilities. After reviewing the handbook, please complete the electronic acknowledgment through the Parent Portal no later than Friday, September 11, 2026. Maintaining an active Parent Portal account is one of the best ways to stay informed throughout the school year. Families can update emergency contact information, view class schedules, monitor grades, and access report cards through FOCUS.

Please take time to review the High School Disciplinary Matrix included in the Student Handbook. Our goal is to provide a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for every student. Students are expected to meet the behavioral expectations established by the school, and disciplinary consequences will be applied when those expectations are not met.

All students will be issued a Chromebook in the 2026-27 school year. Students will not be allowed to use the Wifi using personal devices. As a 1:1 Chromebook school, every student is responsible for properly caring for their assigned device. We strongly recommend purchasing a durable backpack or protective case to help prevent accidental damage. Chromebook insurance is available for $35, and we encourage families to take advantage of this protection as repairs can be expensive.

We are excited for another outstanding year of learning, growth, and achievement at Union High School. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. We look forward to welcoming everyone back very soon and wish your family all the best as we begin the new school year together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carlson
High School Principal

Attachments:

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Parent_Guardian Welcome Letter 26-27.pdf	199 kB	08-03-2026 20:10