Back to School Extravaganza was something special
The Warren County School System’s second annual Back to School Extravaganza, held Saturday at Three Star Mall, was a great success, drawing what many felt was an even larger crowd than last year.
School officials estimated that literally thousands of parents and students took advantage of the information and array of free school supply items available at the tables and booths set up for the event.
Bonnie Collier, the school system’s professional and community development coordinator, said she feels the program provides an excellent opportunity for schools to communicate directly with parents and students.
‘It’s been wonderful,’ said Collier. ‘We had a great turnout last year and it’s been even more so this year. It’s exactly what we wanted to happen, to be able to reach as many students and parents as we possibly can, and from the people I’ve talked to, there’s been an incredible number of folks here this morning.’
Collier says the extravaganza also provides an effective way for the school system to comply with some mandatory federal programs, as well as provide a service to the community.
‘Through federal programs and Title 1, part of what we’re required to do is get information to families about the school system,’ Collier said. ‘So this is an excellent way for us to do that. We also want to do everything we can to help the community, and the sales tax weekend happens before school starts, so by going ahead and doing this now and giving out the school supply list, it allows parents to take advantage of the sales tax holiday and get their children the school supplies they need.’
Director of Schools Dr. Jerry Hale was also impressed with the turnout.
‘This has been a very good morning,’ Hale said. ‘We’ve had what appeared to be thousands of people through here. We’re trying to answer questions, giving out supplies and just trying to meet the public, so it’s been a very good event.’
Hale says he feels the program is good for everyone concerned, parents, students and the school system, since it tends to strengthen the relationship between them.
‘Anytime we can get out in the public and put a face to a name and meet people, make them feel they’re a part of this, then we feel its a positive thing,’ Hale said. ‘It goes along with the community involvement we’re trying to encourage now. Anytime we can get the parents and the schools working together, that’s a positive for us.’
School board member Mike Holland says the board supports the event and what it is working to accomplish.
‘I think it’s one of the best things we’ve done in the county,’ Holland said. ‘The state had a good vision there with the tax free holiday on school merchandise. As you can tell with the crowd we have here today they’ve been really enthusiastic. They get a lot of free items, a lot of information, and even if they have questions we don’t have the answers to we can at least steer them in the right direction. I think this is a really great project.’