Get ready, families of the Roanoke Valley! The countdown has begun, and the first day of school for your little ones in the Roanoke and Salem areas is just around the corner.
We've got you covered with the ultimate guide to kickstart the school year. Looking for school calendars in Roanoke, Salem, or Botetourt? Fun back-to-school events in the Roanoke Valley? Where to get your kid's back-to-school haircut or go back-to-school shopping all around Roanoke?
We have it all! Check it all out here:
School Calendars for Roanoke, Salem and Botetourt Areas
- Botetourt County: BCPS Calendar
- First Day: August 11
- Botetourt County School Supply Lists - "select your school" from the top left drop down menu. click on Parents and a school supply list by grade will appear.
- Roanoke City: RCPS Calendar
- First Day: August 19
- Roanoke City School Supply Lists by School
- Roanoke County: RCPS Academic Calendar
- First Day: August 14
- Roanoke County School Supply Lists by School
- Salem: Salem City Schools Calendar
- First Day: August 18
- Salem Schools Supply Lists - select your school from the schools drop down at the top and simply click the supply list tab for the selected school to get your document with listings by grade
Virginia Tax Free Weekend August 1-3
Whether you're planning to purchase basic school supplies or make bigger purchase for school, save some money by shopping during the weekend of August 1-3, 2025. The 3-day sales tax holiday starts the first Friday in August at 12:01 am and ends the following Sunday at 11:59 pm.
In addition to qualifying school supplies during the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday, you can also buy clothing, footwear, emergency preparedness and hurricane supplies, and Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products without paying sales tax.
You'll find detailed lists of qualifying items at the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday website.
Back-to-School Events in the Roanoke Valley
- 🎒 Back to School Pizza Party August 5, 2025
- 🎒 4th Annual Back-to-School Celebration August 6, 2025
- Back to School Scavenger Hunt w/ Ice Cream 🎒 August 6, 2025
- 🎒 PLAY-Palooza Back to School Event August 8, 2025
- Back to School Craft 🎒 August 8, 2025
- 🎒Back to School Bonanza with Blue Ridge Booster Club August 8, 2025
- 🎒 Back to School Health Fair August 9, 2025
- 🎒 Roanoke County's Cuts with Cops August 9, 2025
- 🎒 Back to School 2025! August 9, 2025
- 🎒 Back-to-School Night August 13, 2025
- 🎒Back to School Extravaganza (Roanoke City) August 16, 2025
- 🎒 Free Back to School Event August 16, 2025
- 🎒Back to School Pray and Praise August 17, 2025
Know of a community back-to-school event in the Roanoke, Salem, Vinton or Botetourt area that we're missing? Add it to our Macaroni KID Roanoke calendar now!
 RDNE Stock Project | Canva |
Back-to-School Haircuts in Roanoke
Looking for a great spot for a back-to-school haircut? Here are a few stylists in {Town} offering back-to-school haircut specials!
- Grandin Road Barber Shop: 1306 Grandin Road SW, Roanoke, VA - Starting 7/22/25 thru 8/23/25 when you donate school supplies and you will receive $2 off any FULL PRICE HAIRCUT! Plus they take the supplies to locations for it to distributed. Please keep in mind they will be extremely busy but you can book online for your appt!
- Faith & Hope Church: 1802 Orange Avenue NW Roanoke, Va - Holds free haircut sessions every other Wednesday as part of youth outreach. Students needing mentoring/haircare can call ahead for appointment
Know of a back-to-school haircut event or stylist special in Roanoke, Salem, Vinton or Botetourt? Email shelbyp@macaronikid.com with the details and we'll get it added!
 Primipil | Canva |
Back-to-School Shopping in the Roanoke Area
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 Roanoke that are locally owned:
- Once Upon a Child : 4092 Electric Road Roanoke and 1371 Towne Square Blvd Roanoke - 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!
- LFA Kid's Consignment Sale: 660 Brandon Ave. Roanoke, Va (Lower Level Towers Mall) - Next Sale October 2-12th. Find incredible deals on gently used kids’ clothing, toys, books, and gear—courtesy of our community of families.
- Back on the Rack ReSale PopUp: 1001 Roanoke Blvd. Salem, Va (Salem Civic Center) - Next Sale September 17-21. Offers great deals on gently used clothing and accessories, giving families a chance to shop and sell quality items at affordable prices.
- Bonsack Consignment Resale: 4845 Cloverdale Rd, Roanoke, VA - Next Sale Saturday September 13, 2025. Excellent deals on gently used goods for kids and families, supporting Bonsack Baptist Preschool.
- Plato's Closet: 4086 Electric Rd, Roanoke, VA - Local retailer focused on trendy, gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories tailored to teens and twenty-somethings.
- Savvy-Swap: 660 Brandon Ave. Roanoke, Va (Lower Level Towers Mall) - Next Sale August 23-30th. The BEST deals in town on gently used men’s, women’s, junior’s clothing, shoes, accessories, and home decor — all in one place!
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
Capture the Moment: A Printable for That Special First Day of School
10 Books to Ease Back to School Fears
Tips for Making Breakfast Easy on Busy School 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
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 Mondays 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 Roanoke Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® throughout the school year!
