The new school year is just around the corner with classes beginning on Aug. 27. To assist students in starting the new year, open houses, orientations and welcome conferences have been scheduled throughout the Fort Dodge Community School District.

A preschool open house will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday at Riverside Early Learning Center. In addition, preschool teachers will be calling parents/guardians to schedule in home visits. Preschool classes begin Sept. 3.

Welcome conferences for TK through fourth grade families will take place at assigned times between noon and 8 p.m. on Thursday. Parents/guardians should sign up online for a conference time that works for them. The link to sign up for a conference time is located near the top of www.fdschools.org. Families need the name of each student’s teacher in order to sign up and can find the information by logging onto their Infinite Campus Parent accounts. Students should bring their school supplies to their conference so they are ready for the first day. Anyone with questions or needing assistance signing up for a conference time should contact their school secretary.

Orientation for fifth- through eighth-grade students and families will take place at assigned times between noon and 8 p.m. on Thursday. Parents/guardians should sign up online for a conference time that works for them. The link to sign up for a conference time is located near the top of www.fdschools.org.

Fifth-grade families should sign up with your student’s morning meeting teacher and sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade families should sign up with your student’s magic period teacher. Teacher names can be found by looking at the student’s schedule in Infinite Campus. Students are encouraged bring their school supplies to their conference so they are ready for the first day. Anyone with questions or needing assistance signing up for a conference time should contact their school secretary.

In addition, a Fort Dodge Middle School fall sports organizational meeting will be held for seventh and eighth graders at 3:10 p.m. Aug. 27. This will include cross country, football and volleyball. A parent meeting will be held at 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 5. Students must have a current physical on file in order to participate in athletics. Practice for middle school fall sports will begin on Aug. 28.

Fort Dodge Senior High will host freshmen and new student orientation in the Little Theater from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday. Students will be welcomed to the school by administration, counselors, teachers and peer mentors. There will be student tours and a Club Rush to help students find activities they might be interested in joining. Due to limited seating, this event is for students only.

Questions regarding back to school events can be directed to the individual schools or the Central Administration Office at (515) 576-1161.