First Day Delayed for Riverside Area Schools

Following days of heavy rainfall that caused flooding and left some roads impassable in eastern Kanawha County, all schools in the Riverside High School feeder area will delay the start of the 2026–2027 school year until Monday, August 24.

Schools in the Riverside Feeder Area:

• Belle Elementary

• Cedar Grove Elementary

• Chesapeake Elementary

• Malden Elementary

• Mary Ingles Elementary

• Midland Trail Elementary

• Pratt Elementary

• Sharon Dawes Elementary

• DuPont Middle School

• Riverside High School

All other Kanawha County Schools will begin Wednesday, August 19, as scheduled.

Why This Area is Delayed

The Riverside feeder area has been the part of the county most heavily impacted by the recent weather. Homes have flooded, roads remain difficult or impossible to travel, and many families are still focused on cleanup and other immediate needs.

While some students could safely reach school this week, others could not. Opening schools only to those able to attend would mean students beginning the year on different days through no fault of their own.

KCS wants every student in the Riverside feeder area to share the same first-day experience. The first day includes important information, new routines and moments that cannot be recreated quite the same way - from a student’s very first day of school to a senior’s last first day. Beginning together also prevents some students from having to repeat first-day activities and information when their classmates are able to return.

New Start Date

Starting on Monday will also give students a full five-day first week. Consistent attendance is important, but families also need time to address what is happening at home right now. This schedule supports both by providing a few additional days for recovery, followed by a full week for students to settle into their school routines together.

Meals Available for Students

All schools in the Riverside feeder area will be open Wednesday, August 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to distribute three-day meal boxes. Meal boxes are only available for students and will include meals for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Schools will be open for meal pickup only during that two-hour window. There will not be separate meal pickup on Thursday or Friday, and no classes or instruction will take place this week.

Looking Ahead to Monday

The additional time will not complete every cleanup or resolve every challenge by Monday. Our hope is that these additional days and another weekend will give families more time at home, allow road conditions to improve, and help students enjoy their first day without the added pressure of rushing through school preparations in the middle of flood recovery.

We look forward to welcoming all Riverside feeder area students on Monday, August 24th, and giving them the shared start to the school year they deserve.