EPHRATA — As summer break winds down, Ephrata School District officials are encouraging families to begin preparing for the start of the 2026-27 school year, with orientation events scheduled before students return to the classroom next month. 

Family orientation days for students in grades 1-12 are scheduled for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, while kindergarten orientations will take place between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4. The first day of in-person instruction for grades 1-12 is Sept. 3, kindergarten students begin Sept. 8 and Tiger Cub Preschool students start Sept. 21. 

Sarah Vasquez, communications director for Ephrata School District, said orientations are designed to help students and families become familiar with their schools before classes begin. 

"Families are going to come in and meet with their student's teacher or advisor, depending on grade level," Vasquez said. "They're going to learn about the classroom or building expectations, look at their schedule and get to know the school building." 

At Ephrata High School, students will also have an opportunity to have their school photos taken before the first day of classes. 

"One of the reasons they wanted to do it before school starts is for ASB cards," Vasquez said. "They're required for students that are participating in a sport or activity, but also as a way for students to get into sporting events for free." 

District officials are also encouraging families to begin transitioning children back into school routines before classes resume. 

"I think coming prepared to school and getting sleep is important," Vasquez said. "Something that our superintendent is really doing this year is creating a partnership with the community, the families and the school. We're better together." 

She encouraged parents to stay engaged with their children's education by communicating regularly and keeping up with school information. 

"Read with your kids, talk to your kids, know what's going on," she said. 

The district uses ParentSquare as its primary communication platform. Depending on family notification settings, messages can be delivered through email, text message or the ParentSquare mobile app. 

"One thing that's nice about ParentSquare is if you don't want to be bothered all day throughout the day, there is a notification setting called Digest," Vasquez said. "At the end of the day, you'll just get the happenings from the day." 

Families in Ephrata will continue to receive free school meals through the federal Community Eligibility Provision program, which has been extended through 2030, Vasquez said. 

"It's really nice," she said. 

While school supply requirements vary by building, supply lists are available through the district's back-to-school website. Vasquez said some schools utilize shared classroom supplies, allowing families to contribute what they are able. 

District officials are also reminding families that there will be no school on Labor Day. 

Additional information, including orientation schedules, school supply lists, transportation information and annual student update forms, is available on the Ephrata School District's back-to-school webpage.