Unity Braxton Weekly Newsletter

Dear Unity Braxton Families,

As we prepare for the first day, here are a few reminders:

• First Day of School: Monday August 24, 2026
• School Hours: 8:10AM -2:55PM
• Arrival: Please plan to arrive on time and follow the school’s arrival procedures.
• School Supplies: Review the supply list below and have all essential items ready.

We know the night before school can feel exciting—and maybe a little hectic!—so we put together this quick guide to help students and families feel prepared, confident, and ready to go on the first day.

Take a few minutes tonight to review the information below with your student.

• Leave home with plenty of time to arrive at school on time!

• Set an alarm and plan to get a good night's sleep.

• Pick out clothes and shoes for tomorrow.

• Pack your backpack with everything you will need.

• Make sure you know how you are getting to and from school.
• Review your bus information, if you are a bus rider.
• Review your class schedule on ParentVue and StudentVue
• Double-check that you have completed any required forms or beginning-of-year paperwork.

Please allow extra time during the first few mornings for:

• Traffic
• Parking/drop-off
• Finding classrooms
• Bus delays

REMINDER that the vendor has updated the ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile apps for the 2026-27 school year, and previous versions are no longer active. Most back to school tasks, including completing the Annual Back to School Packet, viewing teacher assignments, and accessing transportation information, begin in ParentVUE and StudentVUE. Please be sure to download the new ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps to receive important back to school information.

As you prepare for the first day of school, I encourage all families to visit our Back to School Guide webpage for important information, updates, and reminders. While you are there, please complete the Annual Back to School Packet in ParentVUE.

To help ensure that dismissal runs safely, smoothly, and efficiently, we follow a specific dismissal process each afternoon.

Families, please review the following information with your student so they understand what to expect at the end of the school day.

Car Riders

Students who are being picked up by a parent/guardian or designated car rider will be dismissed first.

Bus Riders

Students who ride a bus will be dismissed once their bus is ready. If a bus is delayed, students will remain safely inside the building until their bus is called.

Walkers, Athletics & Clubs

Once bus dismissal has taken place, students who are walkers or participating in athletics and/or after-school clubs will be dismissed.

Important Dismissal Reminder

For your student's safety, students must follow the dismissal plan provided by their parent/guardian and recorded with the main office.

Students should not independently change their method of transportation or tell staff that they have permission to go a different way home. If there is a change to your student's normal dismissal plan, please contact the main office directly so we can ensure the appropriate staff members are notified.

• We encourage parents to send their student(s) to school on the bus for the first day. This way they get familiar with their route and avoid any confusion the rest of the school year.

• How can families find their student's bus stop information?
  Bus stop locations and pickup/drop-off times are available in ParentVUE. Families should review their transportation information before the first day of school and periodically throughout the year for updates. Stops and times should be available by Friday August 21.

• How can families track their student's bus?
  PWCS uses the EZArrival app to provide real-time bus information and notifications. Families are encouraged to download the app and enable alerts.

Starting this school year, students who arrive late to school must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the main office. Parents/guardians will need to sign their student in upon arrival. This procedure helps ensure accurate attendance records and the safety and security of all students. Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a safe and orderly school environment.

Is your student interested in participating in a fall sport? Now is the time to get ready, tryout's start Monday August 31 after school!

Before students can participate in tryouts or practices, families must complete two important requirements:

Middle and High School Grade Students

• All cell phones and personal electronic communication devices must be turned off and stored away during the bell-to-bell school day and during any instructional periods, regardless of location, including field trips.
• Dual-purpose watches are allowed, but wireless/cellular features must be turned off during instructional times (e.g., must be in airplane mode).
• All cell phones and personal electronic communication devices may be turned on and used within the school and on the school campus before or after the bell-to-bell school day.
• Cell phones and wireless communication devices may be used on school buses provided the device does not distract the driver, compromise safety, or violate the Prohibited Content and Use for All Students provisions detailed below.

Prohibited Content and Use for All Students

Students are not allowed to create, access, or share content that is incompatible with a K-12 educational environment while on school property, including school buses, or at school-sponsored events, regardless of location. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Content that is obscene, contains profanity, or involves or threatens illegal acts.
• Content that bullies, harasses, threatens, or degrades others is strictly prohibited, including the use of artificial intelligence to impersonate others.
• Videotaping misconduct is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary actions.
• Use of cell phones and wireless communication devices in restrooms or locker rooms is strictly prohibited. Photographing or videotaping other students in a state of undress in these or other areas of the school will result in discipline and may result in a referral to law enforcement.
• Use of cell phones and wireless communication devices to cheat or in ways that violate the school division’s acceptable use policy.

At Unity Braxton Middle School, we believe that a positive school culture begins with three simple expectations. Throughout the year, students will be encouraged to follow our three school rules:

• Take Care of Yourself – Make healthy choices, be prepared to learn, and always do your best.
• Take Care of Others – Show kindness, respect, empathy, and include everyone in our school community.
• Take Care of This Place – Take pride in our school by keeping our classrooms, hallways, and campus clean, safe, and welcoming.

These three expectations guide everything we do and help us create a school where every Jaguar feels safe, valued, and ready to succeed. We encourage families to reinforce these principles at home as we work together to build a strong, respectful, and caring school community.