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Back to School Guide

The word COMPASS is displayed with a compass rose graphic and text that reads 'A Family Guidebook For the Journey Ahead'.

Your Guidebook for Back To School and Beyond

Welcome to the 2026-2027 Compass – a comprehensive family guide helping you navigate to the important points on your student’s journey ahead. In this guide you’ll find:

  • Important dates in our district
  • Information on summer offerings to help students Stay Sharp This Summer
  • Tips on how to successfully navigate the start of the 2026-2027 school year

 If you have questions not answered by the Compass, feel free to drop us a line at communications@chehalisschools.org and we’ll help.

Three smiling girls pose together outdoors on a sunny day.

Mark Your Calendar: Important Dates

  • Aug. 18 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Freshman Link Day for all incoming 9th graders
  • Aug. 19 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Readiness & Picture Day for all 10th-12th Graders: 8-10 a.m. for 12th graders; 10-12 for 11th graders; and 1-3 p.m. for 10th graders
  • Aug. 26 – Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5) Student Orientation 4:30-6 p.m.
  • Sept. 1 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for grades 3-12
  • Sept. 2 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for grades 1-2
  • Sept. 4-7 – All Chehalis Facilities and Schools Closed for Labor Day Weekend
  • Sept. 8 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for Kindergarten
  • Aug. 3-6 – FREE Summer Meals for Kids 18 and Younger: 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at James Lintott Elementary; 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at Orin Smith Elementary; 11:30-12 lunch at Chehalis Middle School; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at James Lintott Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at Orin Smith Elementary.
  • Aug. 10-13 – FREE Summer Meals for Kids 18 and Younger: 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at James Lintott Elementary; 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at Orin Smith Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at James Lintott Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at Orin Smith Elementary

James Lintott Elementary Library (grades K-2)

  • Noon-2 p.m. Aug. 3-6
  • Noon-2 p.m. Aug. 10-13

Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5)

  • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3-6
  • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10-13
  • Aug. 3 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Counseling Center re-opens after summer
  • Aug. 6 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Main Office re-opens after summer
  • Aug. 10 – Chehalis School District Office returns to regular hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays (From Monday, June 22 to Monday, Aug. 10 Chehalis School District Office will be open to the public summer hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. and Closed Fridays.)
  • Aug. 14 – James Lintott Elementary (grades K-2) Main Office re-opens after summer
  • Aug. 18 – Chehalis Middle School (Grades 6-8) Main Office re-opens after summer
  • Aug. 18 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Freshman Link Day for all incoming 9th graders
  • Aug. 19 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Readiness & Picture Day for all 10th-12th Graders: 8-10 a.m. for 12th graders; 10-12 for 11th graders; and 1-3 p.m. for 10th graders
  • Aug. 24 – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5) Office re-opens after summer break
    • Aug. 18 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Freshman Link Day for all incoming 9th graders
    • Aug. 19 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Readiness & Picture Day for all 10th-12th Graders: 8-10 a.m. for 12th graders; 10-12 for 11th graders; and 1-3 p.m. for 10th graders
    • Aug. 26 – Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5) Student Orientation 4:30-6 p.m.
    • Sept. 1 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for grades 3-12
    • Sept. 2 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for grades 1-2
    • Sept. 4-7 – All Chehalis Facilities and Schools Closed for Labor Day Weekend
    • Sept. 8 – First day of the 2026-2027 school year for Kindergarten
    • Aug. 3-6 – FREE Summer Meals for Kids 18 and Younger: 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at James Lintott Elementary; 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at Orin Smith Elementary; 11:30-12 lunch at Chehalis Middle School; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at James Lintott Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at Orin Smith Elementary.
    • Aug. 10-13 – FREE Summer Meals for Kids 18 and Younger: 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at James Lintott Elementary; 8:45-9:15 a.m. breakfast at Orin Smith Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at James Lintott Elementary; 12-12:30 p.m. lunch at Orin Smith Elementary
  • James Lintott Elementary Library (grades K-2)

    • Noon-2 p.m. Aug. 3-6
    • Noon-2 p.m. Aug. 10-13

    Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5)

    • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 3-6
    • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10-13
    • Aug. 3 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Counseling Center re-opens after summer
    • Aug. 6 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Main Office re-opens after summer
    • Aug. 10 – Chehalis School District Office returns to regular hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays (From Monday, June 22 to Monday, Aug. 10 Chehalis School District Office will be open to the public summer hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. and Closed Fridays.)
    • Aug. 14 – James Lintott Elementary (grades K-2) Main Office re-opens after summer
    • Aug. 18 – Chehalis Middle School (Grades 6-8) Main Office re-opens after summer
    • Aug. 18 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Freshman Link Day for all incoming 9th graders
    • Aug. 19 – W.F. West High School (grades 9-12) Readiness & Picture Day for all 10th-12th Graders: 8-10 a.m. for 12th graders; 10-12 for 11th graders; and 1-3 p.m. for 10th graders
    • Aug. 24 – 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Orin Smith Elementary (grades 3-5) Office re-opens after summer break

Landmarks on the Journey Ahead

Every step in a student’s journey is important. There are also a few landmarks along the way where students and families may need a little bit of guidance to help them successfully navigate the transition. Here are some resources that can help keep you on the right path.