Families and students expressed their appreciation during Ceres Unified School District’s second annual Back-to-School Bash.
To help parents/guardians prepare for the new school year, which begins today, the district provided free shoes, socks, backpacks and haircut vouchers from 9-11 a.m. on Aug. 6.
“We know our families are excited for the beginning of the school year,” said Edith Narayan, coordinator of Student Services for CUSD. “Some of our students are in need. Whatever we can do to help, we’ll make sure they’re prepared.”
Hundreds of parents and their children attended this year’s event, which was hosted by CUSD’s Student Services Department and Family Resource Center at 2491 Lawrence Street.
Families waited patiently in a line that wrapped around the front of the property just west of CUSD’s headquarters.
“It’s amazing,” said Narayan. “They’ve been out here since 7:30.”
CUSD provided assistance to more families this year as 631 pairs of shoes, 2,424 pairs of socks and 700 backpacks were doled out.
“Last year was our first year,” explained Narayan. “We realized we needed more resources for our families. We worked to build more partnerships to make sure our students have what they need for school.”
Soles4Souls, a non-profit organization, donated the shoes and socks while local businesses donated backpacks.
Adkison Elementary student April Mahafutau was all smiles as she posed for a picture with her brand-new pair of teal Vans.
“I like the color,” she said.
Caswell Elementary’s Noah Echevarria took home a pair of white-and-red Shaq brand shoes, which he tried on with help from Caswell Student Support Specialist Josh Pack.
“We came here last year,” said his mother, Maria Alvarez, whose daughter Camila Echevarria also received shoes, socks and a backpack free of cost. “It’s great. It’s a lot of help for the kids before school.”
CUSD Foster Youth Liaison Alexander Bettincourt was in charge of passing out backpacks.
Virginia Parks’ Galeya Quinonez chose a pink one.
“Having multiple kids, it’s amazing they provide this,” said Madel Quinonez, the mother of three children, including Galeya.
Michelle Lepe and her two children, Analia Lepe and Esteban Fernandez, attended the Back-to-School Bash for the second year in a row.
“It’s great that they’re helping out,” she said. “This is our second time being here.”
CUSD Student Support Specialists Sylvia Brunson (Virginia Parks) and Kia Walker (Patricia Kay Beaver Magnet School) passed out haircut vouchers.
Flawless Hair Salon and Headquarters offered their services to 100 students.
“They kids get their hair cut and styled,” noted Narayan.
