Mountain View Elementary kindergarteners Holden Gwinn, left, and Maybelle Fisher take part in a gingerbread-building learning activity in December. Kindergarten orientation for the 2026-27 school year will be held at all Alleghany Highlands Public Schools elementary schools Feb. 19. (AHPS Photo)

Kindergarten Orientation at AHPS Set for February 19   Low Moor, VA (Jan. 15, 2026) - Alleghany Highlands Public Schools will host kindergarten orientation events at its elementary schools on Thursday, Feb.19, to begin registering students for the 2026-27 school year. The orientations will be held at each elementary school beginning at 5:30 p.m. and are designed to help families prepare for their child’s first year of school. Parents will receive important information, complete registration and health history paperwork, and have an opportunity to tour the school. As part of the evening, families will be provided dinner, and students will take part in activities such as a bus ride and classroom experiences. Parents are asked to notify their home school in advance if they plan to attend so meals can be prepared. Parents are encouraged to bring their child’s birth certificate, a current immunization record, and preschool physical documentation if the child has had a physical within one calendar year of the expected enrollment date. To be eligible for kindergarten, a child must turn 5 years old by Sept. 30, 2026. Kindergarten screening dates are scheduled for April 13-15, 2026. Parents will sign up for screening times following the orientation. AHPS encourages families to register as early as possible, which helps schools plan for classroom materials and staffing needs. “Starting kindergarten is a big step for our little ones and their families,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. “We want parents to feel welcomed, informed and at ease walking through our school doors. These evenings are a chance to meet the people who will be caring for their children every day and to see firsthand that our schools are friendly places where kids can learn and grow.” Find the latest AHPS news and events on Facebook and Instagram (@AHPublicSchools, @ahpublicschools), or visit ahps.k12.va.us for more details.

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