As a new school year begins across Northern Kentucky’s River Cities, local school districts are opening their doors to more than just students.
Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, Ludlow, Newport and Southgate schools are welcoming families back through community celebrations, open houses, orientations and family engagement events designed to help students start the year prepared and connect families with teachers, staff and resources available throughout the school year.
The events reflect a shared commitment among the River City districts to make schools a central part of their communities and build strong relationships with families from the first day of the school year.
“Starting a new school year is about more than getting students back into classrooms. It’s about making sure our families feel welcomed, connected and supported,” said Greg Duty, Superintendent of the Southgate Independent School District.
“Our schools are community hubs, and these events give families an opportunity to meet the people who will support their children, learn about available resources and begin building those relationships before the school year gets underway. Relationships are the foundation of our future successes!”
Bellevue Independent Schools
Bellevue Independent Schools will host its Back to School Bash from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Ben Flora Gymnasium and Gilligan Field.
Students and families will have an opportunity to meet teachers, receive information needed for the first day of school and connect with community resources and vendors. Families can also explore the district’s new facility areas, participate in games and enjoy free food served by Bellevue Board of Education members at the district’s new concession stand.
The district enters the 2026-27 school year focused on continuing its forward momentum and its mission to “Engage, Equip, and Empower” every student. Students’ first day at Bellevue is August 19.
Covington Independent Public Schools
Covington Independent Public Schools will welcome students and families to a series of back-to-school events throughout August:
• Holmes High School: Freshman Camp, 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 14; back-to-school event, 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18
• Holmes Middle School: Sixth-grade event, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 18; Seventh and eighth grades, 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 19.
• Glenn O. Swing Elementary: 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 19
• Latonia Elementary: 4-6 p.m. Aug. 18
• John G. Carlisle Elementary: 4-6 p.m. Aug. 20
• Ninth District Elementary: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 20
• Sixth District Elementary: 4-6 p.m. Aug. 20
Superintendent Cortnei Flucas, who began leading the district July 1, plans to attend school events throughout the district, using the opportunities to meet students and families and continue listening and learning from the Covington community as the new school year begins. The district’s first day of school is Monday, Aug. 24.
Dayton Independent Schools
Dayton Independent Schools will begin its back-to-school activities with the Greendevil District-Wide Community Bash from 2-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the Lincoln Elementary gymnasium.
The district will also host several student orientations Wednesday, Aug. 12, including seventh-grade orientation from 6 to 7 p.m. and Gateway and School-to-Work Program orientations from 7-8 p.m.
Dayton’s Family Engagement Days will take place from 1-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. Families can schedule individual conferences to connect with school staff and prepare for the upcoming year. The first day for Dayton students is August 19.
Ludlow Independent Schools
Ludlow Independent Schools will host Pantherfest from 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, welcoming all preschool through 12th-grade families.
Families will begin in the high school gymnasium before visiting classrooms to meet their children’s teachers. The event will also connect families with a wide range of school and community resources, including the Family Resource and Youth Services Center, counseling services, English learner support, after-school childcare information, meal information, PTO, athletic boosters and more.
To help with traffic flow, families are asked to arrive according to staggered entry times based on last name: 4:30 p.m. for A-F, 5 p.m. for G-L, 5:30 p.m. for M-R and 6 p.m. for S-Z. The first day of school for Ludlow is also August 19.
Newport Independent Schools
Newport Independent Schools is wrapping up a series of open houses leading into the district’s first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 12.
The district’s back-to-school activities included Newport Night Out on Aug. 4 and open houses for Newport Intermediate and Newport Primary students. Newport High School will host its open house from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Kindergarten through 12th-grade students return to classrooms Aug. 12, followed by preschool students Aug. 17.
Southgate Independent School District
Southgate Public School will kick off the year with Readifest from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 William Blatt St.
The free family event will give new and returning students an opportunity to meet teachers and staff, tour the campus and celebrate the beginning of the school year together. Activities will include games, face painting, balloon animals, a bounce house and free cookout. Southgate’s first day of school is August 19.
While the events look different from district to district, River City school leaders say they share a common goal: ensuring families know their schools are places where they can find support, build relationships and be active participants in their children’s education.
“When families know the staff in their schools and feel comfortable walking through the doors, it builds stronger connections that support students throughout the entire school year. These events are one way we can show families from day one that they are valued and that they play an important role in their child’s education.” said Misty Middleton, Superintendent of Bellevue Independent School District.
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