As we begin another exciting school year in Pelham City Schools, I am thrilled to welcome our students and families back for another year of learning, growth, and opportunity. It is hard to believe that I have been part of the Pelham family for almost a year. During that time, I have been continually impressed by the pride our community has in its schools and by the support our families provide to our students and educators. Thank you for entrusting us with your children each day. We recognize the tremendous responsibility that comes with that trust, and we are committed to making every school a place where students feel safe, valued, challenged, and supported.

This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate a historic milestone for Pelham City Schools. For the first time since our district was established in 2014, we will have students who began kindergarten in Pelham City Schools walking across the stage as seniors and graduating from the same school system they have called home throughout their entire educational journey. That milestone is a testament to the vision of our community and the dedication of the educators, staff, families, and students who have helped build Pelham City Schools into the outstanding district it is today. From kindergarten to graduation, our goal remains the same: to help every student grow, succeed, and feel supported along the way.

Our mission to Inspire, Empower, and Achieve guides everything we do. We want to inspire students to discover their passions and believe in what is possible, empower them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue their goals, and help them achieve at the highest level possible. We know that the strongest schools are built through strong partnerships between educators and families, and I look forward to working with you as we make this a wonderful year for our students. Thank you for being an important part of the Pelham family. I am excited about the year ahead and all that we will accomplish together. Go Panthers!

Dr. Keri C. Johnson
Superintendent

First-day photos are one of our favorite back-to-school traditions! When you snap yours, share it with the hashtag #PelhamFirstDay. We’ll be sharing photos and first-day moments from across Pelham City Schools on social media.

Make sure you know school start times, and get your morning off to a great start!

If your student rides the bus, be sure to check the bus stops & pick up/drop off times before the first day of school! Some bus numbers, stops, and times have changed.

Reminders:

• Morning pick up and afternoon drop off times are approximate.

• Please have your student at the stop 5 minutes before morning stop time.

• We ask for your patience in the first few weeks of school as we learn which students plan to ride the bus, add stops for new students, and make adjustments to routes as needed.

• Check the Transportation page regularly for updated route information.

You can also find School Bus Rules & Expectations and other transportation information on our Transportation page.

Free Breakfast for All Students

This school year, all Pelham City Schools students can enjoy free breakfast before the school day begins thanks to grant funding awarded to the district. Breakfast is available beginning at 7:15 a.m. each school day.

Dining Menus on the Pelham City Schools App

To find your school’s menu:

1. Open the Pelham City Schools app.

2. Use the green dropdown menu at the top of the home screen to select your school.

3. Tap More at the bottom of the screen.

4. Select Dining to view breakfast and lunch menus.

Free & Reduced Lunch Applications

While breakfast is free for all students this school year, lunch is not. Families are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application to determine eligibility. Information from these applications also helps determine funding for important educational programs and services.

Rooms is the primary communication platform for Pelham City Schools, helping families stay connected with teachers and receive important updates from classrooms, schools, and the district.

New to Rooms? Start with our Quick Start Guide for Families for step-by-step help getting connected. You can also visit our Rooms Resources page for setup information, frequently asked questions, and troubleshooting tips.

Here are a few important changes and reminders for the 2026-2027 school year.

Attendance & Parent Notes

• Based on input from our Student Code of Conduct survey, the number of absences that may be excused with a parent note has increased from 5 to 8 per school year. Both excused and unexcused absences count toward the 8-absence threshold. After 8 absences, a doctor’s or court excuse is required for additional absences to be excused.

Vaping & Nicotine Offenses

• Consequences for vaping and other nicotine-related offenses have been updated. For applicable offenses, students and a parent/guardian will be required to attend an educational class outside of school hours. Additional consequences are outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Bullying

• Bullying has been elevated from a Class II to a Class III violation, with disciplinary consequences outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

FOCUS Act Reminder

• Alabama’s FOCUS Act remains in effect. Cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds/headphones, and other wireless communication devices must be turned off and stored during the school day. Devices may be used after the final dismissal bell.

View the 2026-2027 Student Code of Conduct

Review FOCUS Act Information

The 2026-2027 Panther Pass is on sale now!

Available to all Pelham City Schools students, the Panther Pass provides admission to all Pelham Park Middle School and Pelham High School regular-season home athletic events throughout the school year.

Student Pass Pricing:

• K-5th Grade: $55

• 6th-12th Grade: $85

Panther Passes are digital and are valid through May 31, 2027.

Purchase a Panther Pass on GoFan →

Ever wonder how school funding works, how we measure student success, or what goes into supporting students across Pelham City Schools?

PCS ConnectED is a new community engagement program that gives parents, employees, and community members the opportunity to explore how our school system works, hear directly from the people leading the work, ask questions, and learn more about the programs and services that support our students.

Applications are open through August 28. Approximately 25 participants will be selected for the inaugural class.

Learn More About PCS ConnectED & Apply →

Pelham Homecoming Week returns September 28–October 2!

Students across all four schools will celebrate throughout the week, leading up to two favorite community traditions.

Thursday, October 1: Panther Prowl Parade at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Community Pep Rally at Ned Bearden Stadium.

Friday, October 2: The Panthers take on Chilton County, with recognition of the PHS Homecoming Court and the crowning of the 2026 Homecoming Queen and King.

More details coming soon!

Keep these two calendar resources handy throughout the year:

2026-2027 School Calendar — View the complete school calendar and important dates.

Calendar at a Glance — A quick reference for school breaks and holidays when planning vacations, appointments, and other activities.

Find the news, updates, and information you need throughout the school year.

App
News • Events • Dining • Rooms • Notifications

• Apple App Store: Download for iPhone/iOS

• Google Play: Download for Android

Rooms
Teacher, classroom, and school communication

Website
District and school information and resources

Social Media
News • Photos • Reminders • Highlights

Facebook: @PelhamCitySchoolsAL
Instagram: @pelham_city_schools

Athletics
Schedules • Scores • Teams • Athletics news

A new PCS Athletics app is coming soon! The app will make it easy to keep up with Pelham athletics, including team schedules, scores, news, and more. In the meantime, visit PelhamHighAthletics.com and follow #ThePelhamWay on social media for Pelham athletics news and updates.