Welcome to the Pickerington Schools Back To School HQ

This is your ultimate one-stop destination for everything you need to prepare for the upcoming 2026 - 2027 school year! This central headquarters is designed to simplify your back-to-school planning, offering essential information on:

• Staggered start times
• School supply lists
• Detailed busing information
• Breakfast/Lunch menus and payment options
• And all school building Open House dates

Beyond the basics, you'll also find details about our Back 2 School Resource Fair, and much more, ensuring every family has the resources and information necessary for a smooth and successful start to the school year.

Annual Update

Each school year, parents are asked to update and submit the required Annual Update, “Back to School Forms” for their student(s).

What is the Annual Update? Every academic year, parents/guardians are asked to update and submit the required "Back-to-School Forms" for their currently enrolled student(s).  

Included are forms such as the Emergency Medical Authorization, Student Handbook Acknowledgement, Device Agreement, Technology Protection Plan and Field Trip Authorization Form, among other release agreements.  The process of completing these forms is referred to as the Annual Update.

Where do I find the Annual Update? The Annual Update can only be accessed via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.  The Annual Update "lives" in the Online Registration area of the Parent Portal. Instructions for accessing and completing the Annual Update can be found here.

Please Note - Address changes  cannot be reported via the Annual Update.  If you have moved or need to change your address, please complete the  Change of Student Information Form and return it to the Welcome Center.

Who may fill out the Annual Update? Only parents or legal guardians in the student's primary custodial household may complete the Annual Update. Students may not complete this update for themselves.

When is the deadline? Please complete and submit the Annual Update by August 1, 2026.

Need to Register for School?

If you need to register your student for the 2026 - 2027 school year please visit the Welcome Center page HERE.

Health and Immunization Information?

Looking for health forms? They can be found on our Health Services page HERE.

Staggered Start Days: August 18 & 19

Detailed staggered start schedules, including dates and times for each grade level, will be communicated directly to you by your school's administration.

Staggered Start Days (Grades 1-12)  - August 18-19 

Staggered Start Days (Kindergarten) - August 18-20

First Day All Students Grades 1- 12: August 20

First Day All Kindergarten Students: August 21

Ohio Sales Tax Holiday 2026

In 2026, Ohio will host the standard back-to-school sales tax holiday of three days, starting 12:00 a.m. Friday, August 7th until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 9th. The exemption will apply to all items of clothing priced at $75 or less, school supplies priced at $20 or less, and school instructional materials priced at $20 or less. Learn more HERE:

Grades 7-12 Open House is: August 12, 2026 from 4:00-6:00 pm

Grades K-6 Open House is: August 13, 2026 from 4:00-6:00 pm

Never Miss the Bus: Track Your Child's Route with Ease!

New this year, PLSD will be using BusRight! Want to know exactly where your student's bus is and when it will arrive? Watch the videos below to learn how to effortlessly access all your bus route information, including:

• Precise pick-up and drop-off times

• Real-time tracking of your student's bus location

• And much more!

If you have any issues or concerns regarding transportation, transportation-eligible families should:

Contact Petermann Bus at 614-837-8525

• Visit the BusReport website to report any issues.
• Email all Bus forms to 

  Natasha Martin - nmartin@petermannbus.com
  Tonya Moore -  tmoore3@petermannbus.com

Bus Routes will be available the week of August 3, 2026!

Download the NEW BusRight App.

Athletics & Extracurricular Transportation Update

Overview

Pickerington Local Schools is implementing adjustments to extracurricular transportation and select athletic programs following the outcome of the District’s May levy request. These changes are intended to preserve extracurricular opportunities while addressing ongoing financial challenges.

What About Music Procedures?

Performance/Event Priority

1. OMEA District Concert Band Adjudicated Event

2. OMEA State Concert Band Adjudicated Event

3. OMEA JR HS Large Group Concert Band Adjudicated Event

4. OMEA Pickerington Band Festival

5. OMEA State Marching Band Finals

6. OMEA Local Marching Band Shows

7. Football Game Central/North

8. Other football games

Based on educational benefit, student safety, budget constraints, and PLSD Transportation policy for SY26-27, the bands will be performing at the following events this school year:

• All Home Football Games

• The Pickerington Band Festival

• 2 OMEA “Away” Marching Band Contests (Boosters will fund return transportation)

• OMEA State Marching Band Finals, if bands qualify (Boosters will fund return transportation)

• OMEA District Concert Band Adjudicated Event (Boosters will fund return transportation)

• OMEA State Concert Band Adjudicated Event (Boosters will fund return transportation)

• OMEA JR HS Large Group Concert Band Adjudicated Event (Boosters will fund return transportation)

• Pickerington North Marching Panthers will attend the Central/North Football Game (Preston Tart will assist us with a parent pick-up plan after the game)

• On away football game dates, bands will have a rehearsal that will end with a performance for parents in their respective home stadiums.

Transportation & Kindergarten Shuttle Model

Our transportation model is designed to ensure every kindergarten student is supervised, safe, and supported throughout the school day. Staff members supervise students throughout the shuttle process, including attendance checks, guided boarding, and bus transfers between the kindergarten center and home elementary schools.

Morning (AM) Kindergarten Shuttle

• Kindergarten shuttle staging at neighborhood elementary schools: 9:05 a.m.
• Attendance verification and guided transfer: 9:05–9:15 a.m.
• Shuttle Buses will leave promptly at 9:15 a.m. for the Pickerington Kindergarten Center
• Direct transit to Pickerington Kindergarten Center (≤12 minutes)
• Arrival: 9:35 a.m.

Afternoon (PM) Kindergarten Shuttle

• Kindergarten shuttle staging at Pickerington Kindergarten Center: 3:40 p.m.
• Attendance verification and guided boarding
• Departure: 3:45 p.m.
• Transfer to home buses begins: 4:05 p.m.

Special education students with IEP transportation services will continue to receive door-to-door transportation as outlined in their plans.

Transportation Eligibility & Frequently Asked Questions

We understand families have questions about how transportation and kindergarten shuttle services will work with the new Pickerington Kindergarten Center. Transportation eligibility and pickup/drop-off procedures may vary depending on where a student lives and their assigned elementary school.

Will every kindergarten student receive neighborhood bus transportation?

No. Transportation eligibility is based on district transportation guidelines and Ohio law.

Ohio law requires public school districts to provide bus service to all K–8 students living two miles or more from school. Pickerington Schools exceeds this requirement by also providing transportation to many students in grades K–12 who live one mile or more from school. In some situations, students living closer than one mile may also receive transportation due to safety considerations.

Students who live within a designated non-transportation zone (which may exceed 1 mile from the school) around their assigned elementary school may not receive neighborhood bus service.

My family does not receive neighborhood bus service. Can my child still ride the kindergarten shuttle?

Yes. Families who live within a non-transportation zone may still access the kindergarten shuttle service by bringing their child to their assigned elementary school for kindergarten shuttle pickup and dismissal.

Families may also choose to:

• Transport their kindergarten student directly to the Pickerington Kindergarten Center; or
• Utilize a daycare provider that offers transportation services.

How does kindergarten shuttle drop-off and pick-up work at my child’s elementary school?

Each elementary school has its own arrival and dismissal procedures.

Families using kindergarten shuttle transportation through their assigned elementary school should contact their building principal for details regarding:

• Arrival and dismissal times;
• Parent drop-off and pickup procedures;
• Kindergarten shuttle supervision and transfer procedures; and
• Student dismissal expectations.

How will students be supervised during bus transfers?

Students are supervised by staff throughout the kindergarten shuttle process. Attendance checks are conducted before boarding, and staff members guide students during all kindergarten shuttle transfers between the kindergarten center and their assigned elementary school.

Students are never expected to independently navigate bus transfers.

What about students with specialized transportation needs?

Students with specialized transportation services or individualized education plans (IEPs) will continue to receive transportation accommodations as outlined in their plans.

Families with questions regarding specialized transportation should contact their building administration or the Transportation Department.

Will transportation routes or schedules be adjusted for individual family circumstances?

Transportation routes and schedules are developed districtwide to safely serve students across the community and generally cannot be customized for individual family schedules or preferences.

School transportation operates under state and federal transportation standards related to student safety, staffing, routing efficiency, and service levels.

Need to Request a Babysitter or Shared-Parenting Bus Stop?

Families who need to request a babysitter or shared-parenting bus stop must complete the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuX47sx2a9Mb8VkDuAV2kcAwoHTn8TkxhZGD0AJX8l-UOdgg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Tech or Device Questions? 

  Contact Academic Innovation & Instructional Technology HERE

If you purchase the Technology Protection Plan by September 30th, you will be protected against expensive Chromebook repair fees. Click “Tech Protection Plan” on your Infinite Campus fee page to purchase the plan.

The cost of replacement parts has risen significantly, especially for newer devices. We urge all families to consider purchasing this plan. Families who do not purchase the plan will be billed for any repairs. 

For $40, you will receive up to $400 in free repairs for the school year.*

For more information, see your student handbook or call Natalie Ruble at 614-834-2109.

*Intentional damage is not covered by the Tech Protection Plan. Please respect your Chromebook! Do not pick off keys, write on it, or otherwise damage it on purpose. You will be charged!
 

IC or GoGuardian Parent Helpdesk Link

If you are having issues with Infinite Campus or GoGuardian Parent please click here to put in a ticket.

Technology Updates for the New School Year

Please check your TalkingPoints and/or Infinite Campus messages for important back-to-school technology information from the PLSD Technology Department, including student Google password resets, Chromebook distribution and return procedures, ClassLink QuickCards, technology support, and the Technology Protection Plan. Reviewing this information before the first day of school will help ensure your student is ready for a successful start.

Student Google Access Changes for 2026–27

To strengthen cybersecurity, protect student privacy, and support learning, Pickerington Schools is updating student Google Workspace (Gmail and Google Drive) access based on grade level beginning this school year. These changes are designed to reduce phishing risks, protect student information, and maintain appropriate collaboration opportunities for students.

Please review the attached Student Google Access Changes guide for grade-level details about Gmail and Google Drive access.

Instructional Technology at the Back 2 School Resource Fair

Stop by the Instructional Technology room at the Back 2 School Resource Fair on August 8 for quick, 5–10 minute presentations on two important topics for families!

• 🛡️ GoGuardian Parent – Learn how to monitor your child's school Chromebook activity. Presentations begin at the top of every hour.
• 🤖 PLSD's Updated AI Policy – Learn about the district's updated guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning. Presentations begin every half hour.

No registration is required—just stop by and join the next session! We look forward to seeing you there.