The six schools in the Hartselle City School System are preparing to welcome students for the 2015-2016 school year, which will begin Wed., Aug. 12.

From fun events that will allow elementary students to meet their teachers to orientations for students entering new schools, there are many upcoming events designed to prepare students and their parents for school.

In addition to the events, Hartselle High School has made some major changes this year by allowing parents to pay their fees online.

Crestline

Kindergarten and first grade students will meet their teachers and drop off supplies Sun, Aug. 9, from 2- 2:30 p.m. The parents will then have orientation with Principal Robin Varwig from 2:30-3 p.m. while students remain with the teachers.

The second grade classes will have a watermelon welcome where students can meet their teachers Mon., Aug. 3, from 6-7 p.m. at Sparkman Park in Pavillion 4, but it will be cancelled if it is raining. Supplies can be dropped off at Crestline Sun., Aug. 9, from 2-3 p.m.

The third grade students and their parents will meet their teachers Sun., Aug. 9, at 2 p.m. and have orientation with Varwig at 3:15 p.m.

Fourth graders will meet their teachers and drop off supplies, Sun., Aug. 9, from 2 to 3 p.m.

A parent orientation for each grade will be scheduled after the start of school.

Barkley Bridge 

For pre-K and kindergarten students, only the parents will attend the meetings. The meetings will be held Sun., Aug. 9, in the library, with pre-K parents meeting at 3 p.m. and kindergarten parents meeting at 2 p.m. Kindergarten supplies will be delivered later, and no supplies are needed for pre-K.

For second through fourth grades, parents and students may attend the meetings, which will also be held in the library. Second grade students and parents should bring their supplies Tues., Aug. 11, at 5:30 p.m. Third grade families should bring supplies Thurs., Aug. 6, a 6 p.m., and fourth graders and their parents should bring their supplies Mon., Aug. 10, at 5:30 p.m.

F.E. Burleson

F.E. Burleson staff plan to post an orientation video to the website explaining all the details about school operations. Class lists will be mailed July 30 with additional details.

In addition to the orientation video, each grade will have a scheduled time for parents and students to meet their teachers, drop off school supplies and pick up information packets. Kindergarten families will meet Mon., Aug. 10, between 4:30-6:30 p.m. First grade will meet on the same day between 4 and 6 p.m.

Second and third grade families will meet Tues., Aug. 11, from 8 a.m. to noon, and fourth grade parents and students will meet later that day from 1:30-6 p.m.

Hartselle Intermediate 

HIS will hold two events for its fifth grade class. An orientation for students and their parents will be Mon., Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. An academy for the students will be held the following day, Tues., Aug. 4, from 1-4 p.m.

Sixth grade orientation for parents and students will be Tues., Aug. 4, at 5 p.m.

Hartselle Junior High 

HJHS will hold its early schedule pick-up Tues., Aug. 4, from 8:30-11 a.m. and from 12:30-3 p.m. This is the only time for HJHS to pick up their schedules prior to school beginning, and it will give families a chance to pay their fees. For families who cannot attend Aug. 4, schedules will be available on the first day of school. HJHS will not change student schedules unless an error was made during the scheduling process. No changes will be made on this day regardless of the situation.

General fees are $50 and include gym locker, school locker, planner, gym suit and mailing fees. If students use the gym suit from last year, fees will be $38. Checks or correct change should be used to pay because the school will not have cash available to make change on this day.

Students will not receive their locker during the early pick-up time. HJHS assigns lockers by homeroom on the first day of school.

Orientation and open house will be Sun., Aug. 9, from 1:30-3 p.m.

Hartselle High School

HHS recently announced the pickup days for student schedules, fee information and parking instructions.

Freshman camp, an orientation session for all incoming freshmen, will be Fri., Aug. 7, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students will learn about the school, visit their classes, meet teachers and have lunch with us. It is strongly recommended that all freshmen attend.

Schedule pick-up day for seniors and juniors will be Wed., Aug. 5, with seniors coming from 9 a.m to noon and juniors coming from 1-4 p.m. Sophomores and freshmen can pick up schedules Thur., Aug. 6, with sophomores coming from 9 a.m. to noon and freshman coming from 1-4 p.m. Core classes cannot be changed, but electives may be changed until Aug. 28. Voluntary schedule changes fee is $10.

Students who are unable to attend on their assigned day should have a friend pick up the schedule and pay any fees. When they pick up schedules, students should be prepared to secure lockers and parking spaces and pay any fees.

In order to secure schedules on those dates, parents will need to pay any class fees for their child. Furthermore, all non-returned textbooks must be cleared and all old debts must be paid. Students not clearing all accounts will only be allowed to pick up schedules on the first day of class. Parents should write one check for all expenses or they should pay online from home using a credit card by going to myschoolfees.com.

To pay online, HHS issued the following instructions for parents:

The online payment for school fees began July 1. Parents will receive a receipt through email immediately after the payment is made. The student should print this receipt and bring it with him or her when he or she is picking up the schedule. A 3 percent fee is charged online with a minimum fee of $1 and maximum of $15.

Using a computer, login to www.myschoolfees.com.

Select “Register” and register as a user. Select “Hartselle High” and enter the student STI ID, which can be obtained by calling 256-751-5615. When returning to the site, use the email address and the password that were created.

Select “Registration Fees” to pay for specific classes.  The fees will be listed.

Select “Other Fees” to buy lockers, yearbooks, parking, PTSO and additional fees.

HHS students can also pre-pay for school meals at www.paypam.com.

HHS also gave parking instructions. Students who are dropped off in the morning should use the following procedures:  Parents/drivers entering the high school parking lot from the Main Street side of Bethel Road should turn in the right lane of the high school entrance. They will then turn right in front of the flagpole and follow the road to the right of the building around to the cafeteria. Parents/drivers entering the parking lot from the F.E. Burleson side of Bethel Road should enter the high school parking lot in the left lane. They should remain in the left lane until they are able to merge right after passing the circle drive at the front of the school. Students will be dropped off in front of the auditorium (in the right lane) and enter the school there. All parents/drivers then have the option of exiting out the back of the school onto Roan Road or turning left and exiting out the front.

Students who are picked up in the afternoon have two options:

Parents/drivers picking up a student may enter on the main road that runs by the auditorium and park in an open parking place in the parking lot. Students may then use the crosswalk to go to the vehicle.

Parents/driver may line up on the road behind the cafeteria. The first vehicle will pull up to where the road joins the bus circle and stop there. Other vehicles will fill in as they arrive. Private vehicles are not allowed in the bus lane until all buses have departed. These vehicles may use the Roan Road exit.

Students who drive to school will enter the campus in the appropriate lane but remain on the road next to the auditorium. Merging to the appropriate lane when safe, students may turn in either direction to arrive at their parking space. When exiting the parking lot, all students must use the front exit. The Roan Road exit is for parents and buses only.