Fox C-6 School District families will have the opportunity to learn more about what services the district and area organizations offer and get ready for the upcoming school year on Friday, Aug. 7.
Fox C-6 will hold its annual Back to School Expo from 5-7 p.m. at the Service Center, 849 Jeffco Blvd., in Arnold. The event is free to attend and primarily serves families with children enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Rennee Rapert, director of child care services, said the district anticipates having about 30 local organizations and businesses at the expo along with representatives from various Fox C-6 departments, such as transportation, nutrition services and Character Kids Club, which offers before and after school care for students.
Some of the area organizations and businesses expected to attend are Jefferson County Health Department, Rock Community Fire Department, Arnold Police Department, Jefferson County Library, Compass Health, Chick-Fil-A, First Steps and the Arnold Kiwanis Club.
“I think it is extremely important, especially for new families and families with young children,” Rapert said of holding the expo, which was first held in 2018. “A lot of times the beginning of the school year can be very overwhelming. There is a lot of information and dates, and this is kind of a one-stop shop.”
Approximately 450 people attended the expo last year, organizers said.
“There will be some fun things in the community and other resources families may not be familiar with,” Rapert said. “First Steps will be there for younger children. The Kiwanis Club will be there. It is an opportunity for our families to gather, meet other people in the community and learn about resources they might need throughout the school year.”
Rapert said many of the district department representatives and the local organizations and businesses have activities for children to do throughout the evening.
“Each booth does their own thing, but there are games and prizes available,” she said.
Rapert said the expo is open to everyone in Jefferson County.
“The vendors who are coming are not Fox C-6 vendors, they are community vendors,” she said. “We want to make sure we are sharing opportunities with others in the county outside of the Fox C-6 School District.”
Rapert said this is an event she looks forward to each year.
“For families, the Back to School Expo works to get them excited to start the school year, especially for the kids,” she said. “Sometimes, it is the first time they are seeing their friends or neighbors in the summer. It is to get them back into the excitement of a fresh, new school year.
“It feels really good to pool all of our resources and see all the generosity and kindness within the community and to see the families’ excitement to participate in the Back to School Expo.”
For more information, go to the Community Outreach page at foxc6.org or call 636-282-6915.