Roughly 4,041 Loveland City Schools students head back to class Aug. 13, after district staff packed an auditorium in matching orange shirts Aug. 12, for an opening-day pep rally complete with a live band on stage.

Students with last names A-L report Aug.13. Those with last names M-Z follow Aug. 14.

The district posted photos of the event on its official @LovelandTigers account, writing that staff were getting fired up for opening day and that the district is ready for an amazing year.

The staggered start spans all six campuses: Loveland Early Childhood Center, Loveland Primary School, Loveland Elementary School, Loveland Intermediate School, Loveland Middle School and Loveland High School.

What's new this year

The Loveland Board of Education unanimously approved updated student handbooks and new meal prices for 2026-27 at its May 19 business meeting. Board President the Rev. Jonathan Eilert, Vice President Lynn Mangan, Christina Jeranek, Katie Schuckman and Dr. Eric Schwetschenau all voted yes on both measures. The meal-price vote drew no discussion before passing.

All five members voted yes.

Specific dollar amounts for the new meal prices have not been released publicly.

The board also approved a staffing package at its June 23 meeting covering new hires, resignations and supplemental positions. Among the new faces: Abigail Palmer, a University of Cincinnati graduate from Oaklawn, Ohio, joins Loveland Middle School as a 7th-grade social studies teacher. Leona Messer starts at Loveland Intermediate School, and Abbey Loree heads to Loveland Early Childhood Center.

"I'm excited to be joining Loveland City School District because of the academic community and joyful atmosphere," Palmer said in a district introduction posted Aug. 8.

Getting ready

Loveland Intermediate School and Loveland Middle School held an open house Aug. 6, giving families a chance to tour campuses and meet staff before the first bell. As we reported Aug. 8, the district introduced several new teachers on social media that week.

Fox 19 reported Loveland's Aug. 13-14 staggered start in a regional back-to-school roundup published Aug. 3.

Families with questions can visit lovelandschools.org for bus routes, supply lists and the updated handbook.