New teacher orientation days are set for Thursday, July 31 and Friday, Aug. 1 for the Escalon Unified School District … and opening day follows close behind.

Students, in addition to staff and administrators will return to campus for the start of classes on Thursday, Aug 7.

Collegeville, Dent, Farmington and Van Allen Elementary Schools will welcome students back, as will El Portal Middle School, Escalon High School, Gateway Charter Academy and Vista High School.

Some of the schools will actually have their ‘Back to School’ nights prior to the beginning of the new school year.

Van Allen Elementary back to school night is set for Monday, Aug 4; with Dent and Collegeville kindergarten orientation programs set for Tuesday, Aug. 5. Farmington kindergarten orientation and Dent back to school night are planned for Wednesday, Aug. 6. Vista intake meetings are scheduled for both Aug. 5 and 6.

First day of school across the district is Thursday, Aug. 7.

Throughout the rest of the month, there will be events including Escalon High School back to school night on Wednesday, Aug. 13; Farmington Elementary back to school night on Tuesday, Aug. 19; Collegeville back to school night on Wednesday, Aug. 20 and El Portal back to school night on Thursday, Aug. 21. Also, the Gateway Wildcat Welcome Back will be hosted on Monday, Aug. 25.

Start and release times can vary by school site and grade level. Each school does have those times listed on their respective school websites.

District Superintendent Ricardo Chavez said it’s hard to believe the summer went by so fast, but officials “are ready to begin the next school year” with kids returning to classrooms around the district on Thursday, Aug. 7.