Ark City Schools Connection

As we get ready for a new school year, I can't help but feel excited about what's ahead for Arkansas City Public Schools.

The weeks before school starts are filled with preparation. Our staff is getting classrooms ready, planning lessons, preparing buses, and making sure our schools are ready to welcome students back. Behind the scenes, there's a lot of work happening, all with one goal: giving every student the best possible start to the year.

This is also an exciting time for our district. As we continue Building Our Future...Together, we'll celebrate student success, strengthen opportunities for learning, and continue investing in safe, welcoming schools where every child can grow.

Thank you for the trust you place in our schools. We look forward to welcoming students back soon and partnering with you for another great year.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we'll see you soon. Go Bulldogs!

We are excited to welcome students back for the 2026-27 school year!

Already enrolled?

If you completed enrollment during April registration, you are all set. You do not need to enroll again.

Check your contact information

Log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and confirm your:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Emergency contacts

Still need to enroll?

Please complete online enrollment as soon as possible.

Need help?

📅 Thursday, July 23

⏰ 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
📍 Any USD 470 school*

Computers and staff will be available to help new and returning families.

*Because of current renovation work, Adams and families enrolling in PreK should visit Arkansas City Middle School for assistance. Enter on the 6th-Grade side (northwest entrance).

Visit our enrollment webpage for helpful info, school supply lists, and free community resources.

• July 23 – Enrollment Support (10a-7p)
• July 30 – ACMS closed for first-responder training
• Aug 12 – Preseason Sports Meetings (Grades 7-12) at ACHS
• Aug 17 – ACHS Open House (9a-6p)
• Aug 17 – 6th Grade Orientation (9-11a)
• Aug 17 – Elem Backpack Night (5:30-7p)
• Aug 17 – ACMS Stock Your Locker Night (6:30-7:30p) *Health Dept. on-site to offer student immunizations
• Aug 19 – First Day of School (K-12)
• Aug 21 – First Day of School (full-day PreK)
• Aug 24 – First Day of School (half-day PreK)

Stay Connected

Arkansas City Public Schools uses several tools to keep families informed. Please make sure your phone number and email address are current in PowerSchool.

TalkingPoints
Teachers and schools use TalkingPoints for school-related messages. Families may receive messages by text or through the app and can reply in their preferred language.

Phone, Text and Email
The district may send calls, texts or emails about weather, emergencies, attendance and other important updates.

District Website
Visit usd470.com for official news, calendars, menus, school information and family resources.

Social Media
Follow @arkcityschools for reminders, district news and celebrations. Important information will also be shared through official district communication tools.

Learn more about district communication.

The big picture: TalkingPoints is USD 470's communication platform for teachers, schools and the district. The free TalkingPoints app helps families stay informed and connected throughout the school year.

Why download the app?

The app lets you:

• View all messages in one place.
• Receive messages in your preferred language.
• Message your child's teacher.
• Manage messages for multiple students.
• Use speech to text and listen to messages.

You can also continue receiving messages by text if you prefer.

New this year: Students can receive messages

Starting on July 30, students ages 13 and older can choose to receive TalkingPoints messages.

To participate, students must:

• Be at least 13 years old.
• Have their cell phone number entered in PowerSchool.
• Opt in once they receive a message from TalkingPoints.

This helps students receive classroom updates, team reminders, and school information directly.

What families should do

• Download the free TalkingPoints app.
• Verify your family's contact information in PowerSchool.
• If your student wants to receive messages, make sure their cell phone number is listed in PowerSchool.

Bottom line: TalkingPoints makes it easy to stay connected with your child's school, in your preferred language, from anywhere.

The PowerSchool Parent Portal app puts important school information at your fingertips. Families can check grades, attendance, assignments, schedules, and more, all from a smartphone or tablet.

The app also provides quick access to complete online enrollment each year and update your contact information to make sure you receive important school messages.

To get started:

• Create or log in to your Parent Portal account at usd470.powerschool.com.
• Download the free PowerSchool Mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
• Enter the USD 470 District Code: GZZT
• Sign in using your Parent Portal username and password.

If you need help accessing your account, please contact your child's school office.

Students in grades 7-12 who plan to participate in athletics or school activities this year should complete their registration through Bound. Bound is the new platform for online registration, schedules, scores, rosters, team notifications, and more.

Before your student can participate, you must:

• Complete online registration through Bound.
• Turn in a completed sports physical to the ACHS athletic office.

Preseason Parent & Athlete Meetings

Parents and student-athletes should plan to attend their preseason meeting before the season begins. Coaches will share important information about expectations, schedules, and the upcoming season.

📆 Wednesday, August 12, 2026

• Middle School meetings at 5:30 p.m.
• High School meetings at 6:15 p.m.
• All meetings will take place at the high school

Need help getting started? Visit our website for registration instructions, tutorial videos, preseason meeting details, and other helpful resources.

Learn more at: https://bit.ly/4vzcX5M or call 620-441-2016.

Summer may be winding down, but we're celebrating a season full of learning, discovery, and fun.

By the numbers:

• 180 Pre-K through eighth-grade students participated.
• 40+ teachers and staff helped make the program possible.
• 8,000+ free meals were served to children in our community.

What students experienced: From science, art, agriculture, and careers to fitness, life skills, and kindergarten readiness, students explored new interests through hands-on learning. Field trips, guest speakers, and community experiences helped make learning come alive.

Thank you: We appreciate every family who chose to spend part of their summer with us. Thank you as well to our dedicated team for making another successful MindCraft possible.

We hope you've had a wonderful summer. We can't wait to welcome everyone back for another great school year!

Construction is beginning on secure entrances at Adams and Roosevelt elementary schools. This is the first real visible phase of the district’s voter-approved bond work.

Anticipated timeline:

• Summer 2026: Preparation and early construction begin.
• Fall 2026: Work continues on entrances and office areas.
• Winter 2026-27: Interior construction continues.
• By April 2027: Most work is expected to be complete.

Families may notice temporary changes to entrances, parking or traffic flow. Schools will share details before changes take effect.

Work is also beginning at the former Ark City Clinic on Radio Lane. The building will serve as the temporary home for Head Start and PreK offices. This move will allow for the renovations at Adams. The PreK office will be open to families at the Radio Lane location starting Monday, July 20.

Planning also continues for improvements at Arkansas City Middle School and the new Early Childhood Center.

Construction dates may change because of weather, materials or other project needs.

The big picture: Every school day matters. Students who attend regularly learn more, build stronger relationships, and are more likely to succeed in school. Missing just two days each month can add up to a student being chronically absent.

What families can do:

• Build consistent bedtime and morning routines.
• Schedule appointments outside the school day when possible.
• Avoid early pickups unless necessary.
• Contact your child's school as soon as possible if they will be absent.

What to expect: If your child misses school, you'll hear from us. Schools monitor attendance and will reach out if absences become a concern. Our goal is to partner with families early so we can help students stay on track.

Don't forget: Arriving late or leaving early means students miss valuable instruction. Even a few minutes each day can add up over the course of a school year.

Need to report an absence?
Call your child's school the day of the absence. To excuse an absence, contact the school that day or send a note within 24 hours.

We're here to help.

If something is making it hard for your child to attend school, let us know. Together, we can work to find solutions and help your student stay on track.

Learn more: Visit our Family Attendance Guide for attendance expectations, helpful tips, and available resources.

A new Kansas law changes how students may use personal electronic devices during the school day and how school employees communicate with students through social media.

USD 470 continues to seek legal guidance about how the law will affect students, families, and staff. At this time, the information we are sharing is based on guidance from KASB and local legal counsel.

Under the law:

• Students may not use personal electronic devices during the school day. Devices must be turned off and stored away, with limited exceptions.
• School employees may not privately or directly communicate with students through social media.
• Schools may not require students to use social media for assignments or activities.
• Approved school social media accounts may continue to share public, one-way information about school activities and events.

The USD 470 Board of Education has adopted an updated student personal electronic device policy. A policy addressing employee social media communication is still being developed.

The district will continue to review available guidance and share more information as it becomes available.

As USD 470 continues to grow and change, we want to keep our community informed. Understanding school finance helps everyone better understand the decisions that shape our schools.

What's new: Each week, we're sharing a short Budget Breakdown video that explains one piece of the puzzle, from property taxes and mill levies to the district budget and Revenue Neutral.

Watch anytime: New videos are posted weekly on our website and social media.

Learn more: https://www.usd470.com/district/budget-and-finance

Helping keep our schools safe is a shared responsibility. When you visit any USD 470 school, you may notice a few security procedures. These steps help us know who is in our buildings and protect our students and staff.

When you visit, please expect to:

• Enter through the school's main entrance.
• Check in at the front office before entering the building.
• Share the reason for your visit.
• Show a valid photo ID when requested.
• Wear a visitor badge while you are in the building.
• Check out through the office before leaving.

Some visitors may also be escorted to their destination, depending on the purpose of their visit or the school's procedures.

Thank you for your patience and partnership. These simple steps help us maintain a safe, welcoming learning environment for every student.

Every USD 470 household is asked to complete the Home Economic Survey each year. It only takes a few minutes, but it helps the district receive important funding for students.

Why it matters: The survey helps determine funding for:

• At-risk student programs
• Counselors and student support services
• After-school and summer programs
• Technology and testing
• Other student resources

What to know:

• Complete one survey per household.
• If you received a Direct Certification letter from USD 470, you do not need to complete the survey.
• All information is confidential and used only for approved educational reporting and funding purposes.

Bottom line: If you did not receive a Direct Certification letter, please complete the survey during enrollment or backpack night. Your response helps bring valuable resources to our students and schools.

Looking for a job that makes a difference? Arkansas City Public Schools is hiring ESOL Student Assistance Team (SAT) members (bilingual preferred), bus drivers, bus aides, substitute teachers, and more.

These important roles help students succeed every day. Plus, you'll enjoy a work schedule that closely follows the school calendar, giving you time with your own family during many school breaks and holidays.

If you're ready to make a positive impact in the lives of students, we'd love to have you on our team. Visit usd470.com/careers to learn more and apply.

Do you know an Arkansas City High School graduate whose accomplishments have made a difference? Nominations are still open for the inaugural ACHS Hall of Fame.

We're looking for alumni whose careers, service, or leadership inspire others and reflect the Bulldog spirit.

Deadline: Aug. 1
Nominate someone: hs.usd470.com/hall-of-fame

Email: info@usd470.com

Website: www.usd470.com
Phone: (620) 441-2000

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