Incoming sixth graders across Hilliard City Schools can get a head start on the school year at PAW Day on Aug. 12, one week before classes begin.

The orientation event gives students a chance to pick up their class schedules, practice opening lockers, turn in required forms and tour their buildings before the Aug. 19 first day.

Two campuses, different times

PAW Day runs at both Hilliard Station Sixth Grade and Hilliard Tharp Sixth Grade, but session windows differ by campus.

Station offers two sessions: 9–11 a.m. or 6–7:30 p.m., according to the district's PAW Day page.

Tharp runs a longer morning window, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., and an evening session from 6–8 p.m., according to the Tharp PAW Day page. Students at Tharp can also pick up their schedule in the gym, find their team assignments, drop off school supplies at their locker and visit the Tharp PTO table.

Tharp families who cannot attend Aug. 12 have makeup sessions available Aug. 13, and Aug. 14, 17, 18 and 19 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Arrow students: separate event

Arrow sixth graders do not attend PAW Day at Tharp. According to the district's Arrow page, those students will have a separate PAW Day at a later date. Arrow's back-to-school open house for all Arrow students is Aug. 17, from 5–6 p.m.

What to bring

The district's back-to-school supply list is posted at hilliardschools.org. Tharp students can bring supplies to store in their lockers on PAW Day.

First day details

Doors open at 7:45 a.m. on Aug. 19. The tardy bell rings at 7:55 a.m.

The Hilliard Board of Education meets Monday, Aug. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Central Office, two days before PAW Day.