Indian Valley gets an A for Back to School Fair
By Patricia M. Albrecht
Summary: Following a "big yellow school bus" registration, Indian Valley kindergarteners and first and second grade students made their way to six activity stations at the 8th annual Back to School Fair. Kids left Port Washington Elementary with new haircuts, book bags, school supplies, information, healthy snacks and much more in preparation for the upcoming school year.
Kids scheduled to attend Port Washington Elementary School and Midvale Elementary School got a head start on the upcoming school year when they attended the Indian Valley School Districts Back to School Fair on August 11. Students in Kindergarten through second grade were welcomed from 9 am until 12 noon with their parents and caregivers for the 8th annual event held at Port Washington Elementary.
Free book bags were available for Kindergarten students and school supply kits were handed out for first and second graders. In addition, there were various stations that included free haircuts, vision and hearing screenings, dental health services, several community agencies, lice checks, educational websites and reading tips in the library, a healthy snack area, and an opportunity to meet the principals from Port Washington Elementary and Midvale Elementary.
One of the new things this year, said Becka Hicks, curriculum director, is the Scholastic Book Fair set up on the stage in the gym. Kids can shop for books to read now and during the school year. Clifford is here with Scholastic, making rounds and handing out a few free books to children.
The Port Washington PTO sponsored the Scholastic Book Fair and proceeds went to the support of various activities at the school.
As children entered the doors of the cafeteria area, the Back to School Fair began with a big yellow school bus orientation and registration.
The kids will receive a color-coded card sending them to different stations, said Donna Karl, title teacher.
At each station, they get a sticker and some goodies. After they have their six stickers, they head to the school supplies station near the exit.
Heading out with a map, families were shown to the purple attraction area first-the gym with several community service agencies, the principals, and the Scholastic Book Fair.
Over 20 businesses were available distributing free items and information. A few of the agencies represented were Safe Kids Coalition, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, American Red Cross, Fit Youth Initiative, and the YMCA.
Port Washington principal Jim Kennedy and Midvale principal Ira Wentworth handed out refrigerator magnets featuring the school calendar and shared school procedures and guidelines with families.
This is a wonderful opportunity, said Kennedy, for the community and our staff.
The second station held healthy snacks for the children in the cafeteria area before students made their way to the library where reading tips, educational websites, and discussions of what students could expect in first and second grade were held in the ready to learn station.
Free haircuts and lice checks were next in line. Matthew Robinson, age 7, received a cut from Jen Truex from Marks Place. Parents Mark and Kristy say they make it a point to come every year.
The last stations before the school supplies area were the hearing, vision, and dental screening service areas.
Lexie Boffo from Gnadenhutten was given a hearing test from volunteer Nancy Scheetz. Seven year old Lexie
came to the Back to School Fair with mom, Tina, and was handed a sticker for her card after her hearing test.
The school supplies station was the last stop before students exited the building. Book bags for those entering Kindergarten were handed out, and a full bag of school supplies were given to Indian Valley first and second graders.
Last year, said Melanie Baker, family advocate and social worker, we had 200 students who attended the Back to School Fair. That number did not include siblings and parents who came with the children.
The Back to School Fair gives parents and students the opportunity to obtain necessary school information and needed supplies and services while children also get a chance to check out the school they will be attending.
We always have such a great response from parents, added Hicks. The community agencies hand out so much to the kids as well, and every teacher here is doing this voluntarily on their time off.
Generous donations from the Port Washington PTO, Midvale PTO, OAPSE, Local 474, and several area businesses helped to support this years Indian Valley Back to School Fair.
