We are excited to announce a new, easy way for families to report student absences using the Infinite Campus parent portal.

Parents and guardians can use the Absence Request tool to submit a request that informs the office in advance when their student is not going to be in school. After the request is processed, Campus creates an attendance record for the student.

1. On the Campus Portal, click on the main menu icon (3 lines)
2. Click on More and then Absence Request
3. Mark the student for whom you are submitting the absence request.
4. Select the reason the student will be absent from the Excuse dropdown list.
5. Select the Absence Type.
6. Enter the date(s) for the absence.
7. Upload any optional/required documents. Only one document is allowed per request and it will be attached to every student in the request.
8. Enter Comments about the absence reason.


Click on the link for directions with screenshots

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vgJE_yjPCvXLnldZ2X4CajNEpRYsBdc4/view?usp=sharing
about 2 months ago, HCPS
Campus Portal
🚌 BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY ALERT 🚌

School will be back in session on Wednesday! With more buses, walking students, and excited drivers on Halifax County roads, let’s all do our part to keep our kids and community safe.

Here are a few quick safety reminders for your morning and afternoon commute:

πŸ›‘ Stop for school buses
Yellow lights flashing: Slow down and prepare to stop.

Red lights & stop arm extended: Traffic in BOTH directions must come to a complete stop until the arm is retracted.

Railroad crossings: Buses are required by law to stop at all railroad tracksβ€”give them plenty of room!

πŸš— Watch for new teen drivers: High school routes will have newly licensed student drivers on the road. Be patient, avoid tailgating, and allow extra space around school entrances.

🚸 Slow down in school zones: Obey posted speed limits, watch for crossing guards, and NEVER pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

πŸ“± Put the phone away: Distracted driving is dangerous driving. Keep your eyes on the road, especially around neighborhoods and bus stops.

⏰ Plan ahead: Add 10–15 extra minutes to your morning drive to account for bus routes and school traffic.

Let’s keep Halifax County safe this school year!
about 2 months ago, HCPS
Bus Stops on Highways
Help with Parent Portal
2 months ago, Heidi Ward
flyer for help with parent portal to contact Heidi Ward at hward@halifax.k12.va.us or Tina Waller at twaller@halifax.k12.va.us
🍎 August 🍎

Back to School

Set Up for Success

Tip:
🍎Before school starts, set clear screen time limits and create a simple daily routine: homework first, then limited screen use. Keep devices in shared spaces during school nights and avoid screens during meals and before bed.

Why it matters:
🍎Too much unstructured screen time can impact focus, behavior, and learning habitsβ€”especially at the start of the school year when routines are forming. Excessive screen use can also lead to decreased attention span, difficulty transitioning to tasks, and disrupted sleep.

Pro Tip:
🍎Start small and stay consistent. Even simple routines like β€œno screens before school” or β€œdevices off 1 hour before bed” can make a big difference in your child’s focus and mood.

Try This at Home:
🍎Create a simple family tech routine chart (morning, after school, bedtime) and post it on the fridge so expectations are clear and consistent.
2 months ago, HCPS
Tech Tip Tuesday
πŸ¦… Building Digital Independence πŸ¦…
Summer is the perfect time for kids to spread their wings β€” both outdoors and online! Help your child build digital independence by teaching simple, confidence-boosting tech skills they can use safely on their own.

✨ Tech Tip:
Show your child how to handle small tech challenges before asking for help. Practice things like:

Restarting a frozen device or app

Connecting to Wi-Fi

Downloading updates safely

Using search tools to find answers responsibly

These moments empower them to problem-solve and think critically, while you still keep a caring, watchful eye.

πŸ’‘ Pro Tip:
Praise effort over perfection! When your child figures something out independently β€” even a small task β€” celebrate it. Building confidence with technology prepares them for school, work, and life.

🌐 Helpful Website/App:
Code.org – www.code.org
Engage your child in fun, free coding games that strengthen logic, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

πŸ’¬ Remember:
Just like learning to ride a bike, digital independence takes practice, patience, and guidance. The goal isn’t to remove support β€” it’s to raise safe, capable, and confident digital citizens! πŸ¦…
3 months ago, HCPS
Tech Tip Tuesday
**Shaping the Future One Masterpiece at a Time** 🎨✨

Sydnor Jennings Elementary scholars had the opportunity to present at the school board meeting and share highlights from an incredible year of learning and growth. Through personal stories and reflections on their favorite school experiences, students showcased the achievements, memories, and opportunities that helped shape their futures. Their presentations were a wonderful example of how Sydnor Jennings is truly *Shaping the Future One Masterpiece at a Time*.
4 months ago, Heidi Ward
School Board
School Board
School Board
School Board
School Board
School Board
School Board
School Board
School Board
Scholars in Mrs. Cash's Kindergarten class at Sydnor Jennings enjoyed making their own bubble wands and used them to blow bubbles after reading the magical story, "Bubble, Bubble" by Mercer Mayer. Special thanks to Mrs. Benson for sharing the fun unit with us!
4 months ago, Heidi Ward
bubble fun
bubble fun
bubble fun
bubble fun
Stop by and pick up a brick from the old high school on Thursday, June 4, 2026 from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM.
4 months ago, HCPS
Bricks
πŸ–οΈ JuneπŸ–οΈ Tech-Tip
Shore’ Up Your Security on Vacation!

The Tip:
🌞Your child may ask to connect their phone or tablet to β€œfree Wi-Fi” while travelingβ€”but not all networks are safe. Public Wi-Fi at beaches, hotels, or restaurants can sometimes be fake or unsecured. When possible, use your family’s hotspot or wait until you’re on a trusted network.

Why it matters:
🌞Hackers can use public Wi-Fi to see activity on a device or trick users into joining look-alike networks. This can put personal information, logins, and accounts at riskβ€”especially for kids who may not recognize the warning signs.

Pro Tip:
🌞Turn off β€œAuto-Join Wi-Fi” so devices don’t automatically connect to unknown networks. Also remind your child not to enter passwords or personal information while on public Wi-Fi.

Parent Connection:
🌞Before traveling, talk through a simple rule: β€œWe only connect to Wi-Fi we trust.” Show your child how to check network names carefullyβ€”some fake networks are designed to look like real ones.

Helpful Resource for Families:
πŸ‘‰ https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/using-public-wi-fi-networks-safely

This guide explains how public Wi-Fi works and simple steps families can take to stay safe while traveling.

Try This at Home:

Check your child’s device settings and turn off auto-join Wi-Fi
Practice identifying a β€œsafe” vs. β€œsuspicious” network name
Set up and test your mobile hotspot before your trip
Create a family rule for when and how devices can connect
Conversation Starter:
β€œIf you saw two Wi-Fi networks that looked almost the same, how would you decide which one is safe?”
4 months ago, HCPS
Tech Tip Tuesday
Please click on the link to view the summer school bus routes.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zyyp-uias8wsDsI4y1d0Su7jpRBydsXY/view?usp=sharing
4 months ago, HCPS
Summer Bus Routes

The countdown is almost over! β³πŸŽ“

Tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM, the Class of 2026 officially takes the stage. Share this link with your family, friends, and out-of-town guests so everyone can celebrate this amazing milestone together!

πŸ“Ί Stream the ceremony live here: > https://youtube.com/live/WTPWIATXK_c?feature=share

4 months ago, HCPS
HCHS
Congratulations to our outstanding scholar Paisley Tuggle who earned the Highest GPA Award! πŸ†πŸ“š Her hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence has truly paid off. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and all she has accomplished this school year. Keep reaching for greatness! ✨
4 months ago, Heidi Ward
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
A special moment for our Sydnor Jennings 5th grade scholars as they received their promotion certificates! πŸŽ“βœ¨ We are so proud of all they have accomplished and cannot wait to see the amazing things they will do in middle school. Congratulations, scholars β€” your future is bright! πŸ’™πŸ’›(This is part 2.)
4 months ago, Heidi Ward
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
A special moment for our Sydnor Jennings 5th grade scholars as they received their promotion certificates! πŸŽ“βœ¨ We are so proud of all they have accomplished and cannot wait to see the amazing things they will do in middle school. Congratulations, scholars β€” your future is bright! πŸ’™πŸ’›(This is part 1.)
4 months ago, Heidi Ward
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
Celebrating the accomplishments of our amazing 5th grade scholars at the Sydnor Jennings Promotion Ceremony! πŸŽ“βœ¨ From academic awards to special recognitions, these students have worked hard, shown determination, and made us proud every step of the way. Congratulations to all of our award recipients as they prepare for their next chapter in middle school! πŸ’™πŸ’›
4 months ago, Heidi Ward
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
promotion ceremony
The last day of school for students will be Thursday, May 28, 2026. Students at South Boston Elementary School and South Boston Early Learning Center will dismiss at 11:00 AM. All other students will dismiss at 11:30 AM.

We hope you have a wonderful, safe summer!
5 months ago, HCPS
Last Day of School
Three Kindergarten Scholars scored a trip to the book machine for earning at least 50 Dojo points. Scholars were able to get a book of their choice! Happy Reading!
5 months ago, Heidi Ward
Book Vending Machine
Book Vending Machine
Book Vending Machine
Book Vending Machine
Caps off to our amazing Pre-K graduates! πŸŽ“ Today we celebrated a very special milestone as our little scholars completed their Pre-K journey and are ready for kindergarten. We are so proud of all they have learned, the friendships they’ve made, and the bright futures ahead of them. Keep shining, graduates! 🌟
5 months ago, Heidi Ward
prek grad
prek grad
prek grad
prek grad
prek grad
prek grad
prek grad
prek grad
prek grad
prek grad
Today we celebrated the hard work, growth, and achievements of our amazing scholars in grades K-4 during Awards Day! πŸŽ‰ We are so proud of each student for their dedication, perseverance, and success throughout the school year. Keep reaching for greatness, scholars β€” your future is bright! 🌟
5 months ago, Heidi Ward
awards day
awards day
awards day
awards day
awards day
awards day
awards day
awards day
awards day
awards day
Congratulations to our April and May Scholars of the Month! πŸŽ‰ These outstanding scholars have demonstrated hard work, leadership, kindness, and dedication both inside and outside the classroom. We are so proud of all they have accomplished and can’t wait to see their continued success. Keep shining, scholars! 🌟
5 months ago, Heidi Ward
Scholars of the Month
Scholars of the Month