Welcome Back to School Flyer
Let's Get Rolling, 2024 - 2025!
Welcome Back to School, Carter Families!
We are thrilled to welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year at Carter Academy! Whether you're returning or joining our Cougar family for the first time, we are excited to have you with us as we embark on another incredible year of learning, growth, and achievement.
This year's theme, A Galaxy of Greatness, reminds us that every student has the potential to shine brightly. Together, we'll inspire curiosity, foster creativity through the performing and visual arts, and encourage every child to reach for the stars. Our dedicated staff has been working all summer to prepare engaging learning experiences and create a safe, welcoming environment where every student can thrive.
Inside this newsletter, you'll find everything you need to launch the school year with confidence—from important dates and campus procedures to updates about our magnet programs, exciting events, and ways to stay connected throughout the year. We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are the key to student success, and we look forward to working alongside you every step of the way.
As we begin this exciting journey together, let's make this a year filled with exploration, innovation, kindness, and excellence. Here's to an unforgettable year as we soar together through A Galaxy of Greatness!
With Cougar Pride,
Cindy Buentello
Principal
Meet the Teacher & Orientation Night
To kickstart the school year, we will be hosting our annual "Meet the Teacher Night" on Friday, August 7, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This evening serves as a wonderful opportunity for parents and students to meet their new teachers, see their classrooms, receive transportation information, HAC update support, preorder school t-shirt (cash only), and learn about what to expect in the upcoming school year.
Also, during Meet the Teacher Night, we will issue Car Rider Tags, Daycare Tags, Walker Tags. If you are not able to attend Meet the Teacher Night, we will have tags issued during school hours starting on August 10, 2026.
First Day of School – August 12, 2025
We are excited to welcome our students back for the 2026–2027 school year! On the first day of school, August 12, 2026, parents and guardians are welcome to accompany their child into the building to help ease the transition.
However, we do face a common challenge: limited parking. To help accommodate all families and ensure a smooth experience, we kindly ask that visits to classrooms be kept to 10 minutes or less. This will allow other parents the opportunity to park and walk their children in as well. Your cooperation will help make the first day a positive experience for everyone.
To allow the school day to begin on time and help our students settle in and focus, we ask that all parents and guardians exit the building by 8:00 AM.
If you plan to walk your child to class, please park in the teacher parking lot located on the side of the building. A limited number of spaces are also available in the front of the school.
For safety reasons, please do not block the side ramp (used for morning car rider drop-off) or the front ramp (used for morning bus drop-off).
Campus Safety & Visitor Guidelines
In accordance with Aldine ISD safety protocols, all visitors must:
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Enter through the front doors
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Present a valid state-issued ID
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Pass through our metal detector — no exceptions
To minimize disruptions and ensure we can assist you efficiently, we strongly encourage making an appointment if you need to visit the front office or speak with an administrator.
We appreciate your support in creating a welcoming, safe, and smooth start to the school year!
⏰School Hours & Procedures
Building Opens: 7:00 a.m.
Breakfast Served: starting at 7:00 a.m.
Tardy Bell: 7:40 a.m.
Car Rider Ramp:
Open until 7:40 a.m.
After 7:40 a.m., parents must walk students in and sign them in at the front office.
Transportation Changes:
- All transportation changes must be submitted in writing at least 24 hours in advance to the teacher (via email, note, or TalkingPoints message).
- For same-day changes, please notify the front office by 2:00 p.m. at 281-878-7760.
Car Rider Pick-Up: All students must be picked up by 3:40 p.m.
🎒 Dress Code & School Supplies
- Students are not required to wear standardized dress (uniforms).
- All students must follow Aldine ISD's Dress Code Guidelines.
📎Click here for General Guidelines
School Supplies:
- The District Supply List by grade level is available below for your reference.
💻 Home Access Center (HAC) Accounts
All HAC accounts must be updated annually.
Please complete the annual update using the HAC Account link provided below.
📎 Click here to access the HAC Account link
The Home Access Center (HAC) is an online portal that provides parents, guardians, and secondary students access to important student information, including:
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✅ Daily Attendance Summary
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📚 View Assignments Anytime, Anywhere
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🗓️ Current Class Schedule
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⚠️ Discipline Records
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📄 Progress Reports & Report Cards
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🧑🏫 Teacher Alerts, Notes & Comments
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📧 Teacher Contact Information
📽️ Parent HAC Presentations:
📅 HAC Annual Update Support (On Campus Assistance)
Need help completing the update? Visit us on campus during the dates below:
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Wednesday, July 22 | 8:00–11:00 a.m. & 3:00–6:00 p.m.
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Saturday, July 25 | 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
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Wednesday, July 29 | 8:00–11:00 a.m. & 3:00–6:00 p.m.
📞 Prefer support over the phone? Call us at 281-878-7760 for assistance.
🚌 Transportation Information
To help us maintain a safe, smooth, and efficient arrival and dismissal process, please review the important transportation guidelines below:
🚦 Changes to Transportation
- All transportation changes must be submitted in writing at least 24 hours in advance to the teacher (via email, note, or TalkingPoints message).
- For same-day changes, please notify the front office by 2:00 p.m. at 281-878-7760.
🚗 Early Pick-Up
If you need to pick up your child early, please arrive before 2:00 p.m.
After 2:00 p.m., we begin preparing for dismissal and cannot accommodate early check-outs.
🚙 Car Riders
Arrival and dismissal for car riders take place at the side ramp next to the teacher parking lot.
Do not drop students off in front of the school unless you park and walk them to the front entrance.
When using the car rider line, please remain in your car—staff will assist with unloading and loading students.
For safety, do not walk your child across the car rider ramp.
Our priority is the safety of all students, and these systems help us ensure a secure and orderly process.
🎫 Car Rider & Daycare Tags
New car rider and daycare tags are issued each school year.
Tags will be available during Meet the Teacher Night.
If you are unable to attend, you may pick up tags at the front office beginning August 10, 2026.
All students must have a car rider or daycare tag for dismissal.
🚌 Bus Riders
Bus transportation must be requested by completing the HAC Annual Enrollment Form.
Even if your child rode the bus last year, the HAC update is still required to continue service this year.
Bus riders will receive bus tags.
🚨 Arrival & Dismissal Safety Update
We are proud to continue our partnership with the Aldine Police Department to support morning arrival and afternoon dismissal beginning Wednesday, August 12th. This partnership enhances student safety and helps improve traffic flow.
🚌 Buses will enter through the front of the school
🚗 Car riders must use the side ramp next to the teacher parking lot
🆔 Please ensure your child wears their ID badge daily
- 📍Please see the image below for a reference of our Car Rider Traffic Flow Map.
We appreciate your continued support and flexibility in helping us provide a safe and smooth experience for all families.
School Meals and Accounts
📣 Carter Academy Communication Reminder
As we prepare for another exciting school year, we'd like to remind you that TalkingPoints is the official communication platform used by both Carter Academy and all classroom teachers.
Throughout the school year, you'll receive important information through TalkingPoints, including:
- 📚 Classroom updates and reminders
- 📅 School events and announcements
- 📈 Student progress updates
- 💬 Direct communication with your child's teacher
- 🏫 Campus-wide messages from Carter Academy
Our teachers will return to campus on Monday, August 3, 2026, and they will begin connecting with families through TalkingPoints that week.
If you haven't already, we encourage you to download the TalkingPoints app to ensure you receive important updates throughout the school year. The app also provides automatic translation into your preferred language, making communication easier for all families.
📲 Click here to download the TalkingPoints app.
We look forward to staying connected with you and making the 2026–2027 school year a fantastic one!
