By: MDA Staff Writer | July 13, 2026
CLARKSDALE, Miss. — The countdown is officially on as the Clarksdale Municipal School District (CMSD) prepares to welcome thousands of students back to classrooms for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
The first day of school for students is Monday, Aug. 10, following staff development days scheduled for Aug. 3-7. District leaders are encouraging families to complete registration, gather school supplies, and review the updated school calendar and attendance policies to ensure a smooth start to the new academic year.
This year’s calendar includes several scheduled breaks, including Fall Break (Oct. 15-19), Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 23-27), Winter Break (Dec. 21-Jan. 1), and Spring Break (March 8-12).
https://www.cmsdschools.org/cmsd-calendar
To help students begin the year prepared, CMSD has released grade-level school supply lists for Pre-K through 12th grade. While requirements vary by grade, students are encouraged to arrive with essential classroom materials such as pencils, notebooks, folders, glue sticks, crayons, markers, binders, loose-leaf paper, and other supplies needed for daily instruction. The district notes that individual teachers may request additional classroom items throughout the year.
Registration is also underway across the district. Families with new and returning students are encouraged to complete enrollment as soon as possible by providing required documents, including proof of residency, immunization records, birth certificates, and other necessary paperwork.
Parents should also be aware of new attendance requirements that will take effect this school year in accordance with updated Mississippi law.
Among the changes:
- Students may receive up to five excused absences per semester, including parent notes and medical excuses.
- Medical documentation is required after a student’s third illness-related absence.
- Students must attend at least 66% of the instructional day to be counted present.
- Students who miss more than 33% of the school day will not be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities that day.
District officials emphasize that regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success.
“Every day counts,” the district reminds families. “Good attendance starts at home.”
Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible, submit doctor’s notes promptly, avoid unnecessary early checkouts, and maintain communication with their child’s school regarding attendance concerns.
The district also encourages students to begin establishing healthy routines before the first day by adjusting bedtime schedules, organizing school supplies, reviewing class expectations, and arriving on time each morning.
With classrooms prepared, teachers ready to welcome students, and families making final back-to-school preparations, CMSD is looking forward to another year of learning, growth, and achievement.
As students return to campus this August, the district’s commitment remains the same: “Every Student. Every Need.”