Back-To-School Guide

Welcome Back, HSE Students and Families!

Hamilton Southeastern Schools is excited to welcome students and families back for the 2026-2027 school year! We've created this guide to help you prepare for the first day of school on Wednesday, August 5. While this guide covers many back-to-school essentials, your child's school will continue to share additional information specific to your family through ParentSquare. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with your child's school. All school office staff will be available beginning Tuesday, July 21, and school office hours are listed below. We look forward to a great year of learning, growth, and success together.

DOWNLOAD OR PRINT BACK-TO-SCHOOL GUIDE

Summer Building Hours ⏰

Elementary, Intermediate & Junior High Schools
May 26-29 — 7:30 AM-3:30 PM
June 1-5 — 7:30 AM-12 PM
July 21-31 — 7:30 AM-3:30 PM
August 3 — Normal Hours Resume

High Schools
May 26-June 8 — 7 AM-3 PM
June 9 — CLOSED
June 10-July 16 — 7:30-11:30 AM (Monday-Thursday) (Closed Fridays)
June 29-July 3 — CLOSED
July 21-31 — 7 AM-3 PM
August 3 — Normal Hours Resume

Administration Building
May 26-July 31 — 7:30 AM-3:30 PM
June 19 — CLOSED
July 3 — CLOSED
August 3 — Normal Hours Resume

Updating Forms 🖱️

Student Fees 📚

Consumable Fees

Grades K-3: $25
Grade 4: $30
Grades 5-6: $45
Grades 7-8: Up to $75
Grades 9-12: Up to $125

Athletic Participation Fees

Junior High Athletics: $50 per sport
High School Athletics: $75 per sport

Preschool Fees

Monthly Participation Fee: $350
One-time Material Fee: $90

At its June 10 meeting, the Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees approved several fee changes for the 2026-27 school year, including the return of consumable material fees, athletic participation fees and an adjustment to preschool tuition. These changes will help offset rising costs and support student programs and services. Consumable material fees will vary by grade level and course selection, with all fees waived for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Athletic participation fees will help cover a portion of program costs, and no student will be denied the opportunity to participate due to financial need.

LEARN MORE

Transportation 🚌 🚸

Bus route information will be available on Skyward on August 1st.
You will receive an email to confirm your route information.
Please review bus information again the night before school starts due to possible last-minute changes.
Please be patient as buses may run late during the first few days of school as drivers learn their new routes.

School Start and End Times

7:40 a.m.-2:10 p.m. (Elementary Schools)
8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (High Schools)
9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Intermediate and Junior High Schools)

Food Services 🍎🥛

2026-2027 Meal Prices:

Paid Student Breakfast K-12: $1.50
Paid Student Lunch K-6: $2.80
Paid Student Lunch 7-12: $3.00

Free and Reduced Meals

HSE Schools participates in the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program for free and reduced-price meals to qualifying families.
Families must apply each year (even if you have qualified previously).
Applications and participation is confidential.
If your family qualifies for ‘Direct Certification’ from the state, you do not need to submit an application through Skyward (as you already qualify).
Direct Certification notifications will go out soon.
Families can apply for Free and Reduced Meals beginning July 2026.

HSE FOOD SERVICES

School Supplies 🖍️📓

*Please Note: Not all schools provide a required school supply list. Also, some school do not require school supplies on the first day of school. Please follow building level communication to know what your student needs. Thank you!

Student Devices 💻

All incoming students in K-2, 5-7, and 9-11 will be issued an iPad at the start of the school year. There is no rental fee at Hamilton Southeastern Schools. Students in these grades are not eligible to bring your own (BYO) devices.

Personal Electronic Devices

Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, Hamilton Southeastern Schools will implement new expectations for student use of personal electronic devices during the school day.

Under Indiana's recently passed "bell-to-bell" law (Senate Enrolled Act 78), students will be required to keep personal wireless communication devices powered off, stored away and inaccessible throughout the instructional day.

To help answer common questions, we have created some Frequently Asked Questions about device expectations, communication procedures, exceptions and other important details.

Health Services 💊💉

Required Immunizations

Students must complete state-required immunizations to attend school. Families should ensure new immunizations for incoming kindergarteners, 6th graders, and 12th graders are done prior to August 5th.

STATE IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Medications at School

For students who require medications administered during the school day, the following guidelines must be followed:

Medications must be in the original bottle with the full label.
Medications must stay in the clinic except for emergency purposes.
Non-FDA medications cannot be administered at school unless a physician’s note is provided.
CBD or essential oils are not allowed.

Required Health Forms

Each school year, families are required to complete their student’s Health Card and Consent-to-Treat form in Skyward. Families can also fill out forms for various health concerns, like allergies, diabetes, etc. For detailed information on immunizations and medications, and health concern forms, please visit our HSE health services webpage.

HSE HEALTH SERVICES

Visiting & Volunteering 🪪

A SafeVisitor background check is required for anyone visiting an HSE school, including family members of students. This requirement also applies to:

Classroom Volunteers/ Helpers/ Room Parents
Field/Study Trip Chaperones

A SafeVisitor background check is valid for three years. The cost is $12.95, covering a national screening process. The background check process may take 5 to 7 business days to complete. Visit our school safety webpage to learn more.

Before The Bell 🔔🎉

Ring in the new school year with HSE students, teachers, staff, administrators, community leaders, and partner organizations. This year’s districtwide celebration, presented by Meijer, will take place on Thursday, July 30th, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Fishers Nickel Plate AMP located at 6 Municipal Drive. Enjoy informational booths, free activities, prize giveaways, student performances, and food trucks!

Stay Connected 📸

SOCIAL MEDIA

Stay updated and connected by following @HSESchools on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. Get the latest information, and a glimpse into the exciting happenings at across the district.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Explore the Community Insider to discover school and community-driven activities that might interest you and your family.

R.A.V.E. REVIEWS

Help us recognize our outstanding employees by submitting a R.A.V.E. (Recognizing All Valuable Employees) Review. It only takes a minute to nominate someone who has made a positive impact.