Get ready, families in the New River Valley! The countdown has begun, and the first day of school for your little ones in the NRV is just around the corner.
We've got you covered with the ultimate guide to kickstart the school year. Looking for school calendars in any of our New River Valley counties? Fun back-to-school events in the New River area? Where to get your kid's back-to-school haircut or go back-to-school shopping in the NRV?
We have it all! Check it all out here:
School Calendars for the New River Valley
- Montgomery County Public Schools: 2025-2025 School Calendar
- First Day: August 13
- School Supply Lists
- Radford City Public Schools: 2025-26 School Calendar
- First Day: August 13
- School Supply Lists
- Pulaski County Public Schools: 2025-2026 School District Calendar
- First Day: August 13
- School Supply Lists
- Giles County Public Schools: 2025-26 School Year Calendar
- First Day: August 18
- Floyd County Public Schools: 2025-26 School Calendar
- First Day: August 13
Back-to-School Events in the New River Valley
- 🎒 Free Backpacks with Supplies Drive-Thru August 2, 2025
- 🎒 Annual Back to School Extravaganza August 3, 2025
- 🎒Backpack Bash: Free Supplies for Eastern Montgomery Students August 4, 2025
- 🎒 Get Cool for School August 9, 2025
- 🎒 Back to School Bash - Pulaski August 9, 2025
- 🎒 Back to School BackPack Drive and Pool Party August 9, 2025
- 🎒 Annual Back to School Free Haircut Event August 9, 2025
- 🎒 Back to School Bash August 10, 2025
- 🎒 PCPS Back to School Bash!! August 14, 2025
Know of a community back-to-school event in the NRV we're missing? Add it to our Macaroni KID New River Valley calendar now!
 RDNE Stock Project | Canva |
Back-to-School Haircuts in New River Valley
Looking for a great spot for a back-to-school haircut? Here are a few stylists in the New River Valley area offering back-to-school haircut specials!
- OK Barber Shop: 321 E Main Street, Pulaski, Va -- August 7th - August 12th First Come First Serve Basis. School Aged Kids PreK-12th grade
- Barber & Beauty: August 9th 12:30-3pm only - 610 Peppers Ferry Road Christiansburg
- Back to School BackPack Drive and Pool Party: August 9th 9am-4pm, Rosa L. Peters Playground in Christiansburg
- Get Cool for School Event: August 9th 10am- 2pm, 249 Dora Hwy, Pulaski, Va
Know of a back-to-school haircut event or stylist special in the New River Valley area? Email shelbyp@macaronikid.com with the details and we'll get it added!
 Primipil | Canva |
Back-to-School Shopping in the NRV
There are the big box stores, of course, but you can also support locally-owned businesses when doing your back-to-school shopping! Here are some of our favorite places for shopping for school supplies and clothes in the New River Valley that are locally owned:
- Once Upon a Child: 360 Arbor Dr Ste E Christiansburg, VA - buys and sells gently used children’s items all year long. With sizes from infant to tween, you’ll find big-name brands at small prices—and you can sell your kids' outgrown items for cash on the spot!
- Plato's Closet: 360 A Arbor Drive Christiansburg, VA - Local retailer focused on trendy, gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories tailored to teens and twenty-somethings.
- Y Weekly Clothing Sale: 1000 N Main Street Blacksburg, VA - Every Tuesday and Wednesday- all clothes marked $5.00 are 50% off.
Have a favorite locally owned spot for back-to-school shopping you don't see listed here? Email shelbyp@macaronikid.com, and we'll get it added!
Back to School Resources
These articles and resources will help make the 2025-2026 school year your child's best year ever!
7 Back to School Shopping Tips
Celebrate the First Day of School With This Free Printable for Kids
10 Books to Ease Back to School Fears
4 Delicious and Nutritious Breakfast Ideas On Those Busy Mornings
3 Ways To Pack Your Kid's Lunch With Love
What Your Younger Kids Need To Know As School Starts
Foods that Make the Grade: Bento Box School Lunch Ideas
Helping Your Child with Special Needs Get Ready For Back to School
5 Teacher-Approved Tips to Make Back-to-School Time Great
7 Tips to Prepare Your Child for Middle School
5 Ways Parents Can Support Their Neurodivergent Children In School
Master Shoelace Tying in 60 Seconds: A Must-Know Skill for Every Kid
7 Practical Ways To Prepare Your Child For Pre-K and Kindergarten
Coping with Back to School Anxiety
Help your kids get ready for the new school year by planning ahead. Register online and read all of the information available on the school's website. These five additional tips will help make the school year easier for the entire family:
- Spend the last week before school begins with earlier bedtimes and earlier wake-up times so your child will be ready on the first day of school.
- Encourage your child to read at least 15 minutes each day. Even better, spend time reading together as a family.
- Help your child set goals for the new school year and set up a study center stocked with all of the supplies your child will need.
- Limit electronics during the week and encourage your child to study even when there's no homework.
- Stay in touch with your child's teacher and attend events held at school. Volunteer in your child's classroom if possible this year.
Volunteer with Your Child's School
Think outside the box for ways to help at school if you can't be at school during the day. These five ideas will get you started. Talk to your child's teacher or the volunteer coordinator for more suggestions.
- Ask your child's teacher about art or classroom supplies needed for the year.
- Send food for parties and teacher appreciation lunches.
- Participate in school fundraisers. Take your child around the neighborhood or check with coworkers about items your child is selling.
- Offer to make name tags, labels or to cut art patterns at home.
- Offer to help with big projects at your child's school such as school carnivals or book fairs.
Help your child have a great year by getting involved in your child's school. Encourage your child's learning, both in and out of the classroom. Support your child's school and show your child that education is important.
Our FREE newsletter publishes weekly on Thursdays at 7 AM. You can subscribe to our newsletter here. Our newsletter features local family-friendly events as well as crafts, recipes, boredom busters, and other ways to entertain your kids and keep them busy!
Have a great school year and let Macaroni Kid New River Valley help you Find Your Family Fun® throughout the school year!
