For five years, the Back to School Rally has given Bradford area students a chance to embrace the school year, and give them supplies they will need to prepare for learning.
The fifth annual rally is set for 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 26 at Parkway Field, and is open to students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. Each child is able to pick out a free book, and will also be given a free backpack.
All family members are welcome to enjoy a free lunch at the concession stand with their children and hot dogs will be provided.
Additionally, free haircuts will be available, offering children a chance to have a fresh start to the school year. Local stylists in the area come together in order to provide this feature for the rally. Over the years, 60 to 80 haircuts have been given.
Stepping Up for Kids, an organization working on providing for children in need, will contribute to the rally for the second year in a row, donating a pair of sneakers to each student. Those who are interested in a free pair of sneakers were previously required to fill out a voucher at the end of the last school year, or over the summer.
The sneakers will be available at the rally.
Organizers said families who did not fill out a voucher will be eligible to request sneakers on a first come, first served basis. Supplies may be limited.
“Each year we have had hundreds of children attend with their families, and we do not expect this year to be an exception,” said Heather Bell, elementary school instructional coach and the school district’s family involvement coordinator.
Bell said the district is hoping for a good turnout this year, but she understands that this is a hectic time of year. The district chooses to have the event the weekend before school starts in order to get the kids excited for school.
Even though last year the rally had to be moved inside due to weather, organizers are hoping that the event can be held on the Parkway Field turf this year.
Some new additions to the rally this year include a corn hole tournament, open to those in middle school and high school, as well as a principal pie eating contest.
There will also be an electronics giveaway, this year being Kindles. One Kindle per grade level, kindergarten through 12th, will be raffled off. Each child must be present at the time of the drawing in order to win.
Paul Ridley and Sundahl Insurance Co. donated the 13 Kindles.
Many organizations have volunteered to help out with this event, including the United Way, Bradford Area Public Library and McKean County Family Center.
Also, Bell said rally organizers are once again be partnering with the YMCA, which will set up an inflatable play area.
Bell credited the numerous volunteers for making the rally possible.
“They volunteer their time year after year, to set up, work the rally and clean up after the event so that this can be possible for the community,” she said.
Zippo Manufacturing Co. has provided funds needed to allow for this event to continue every year.
“We are blessed to live in an area where our businesses and corporations stand behind the families of the community, especially our young learners, understanding the importance of education,” Bell said.
As a mother and a teacher in the district, she feels very strongly about having events like this in our community.
“If we can help even one family ease the expensive burden of heading back to school with children, we have been successful,” she said. “We want our parents to know that we are true partners and that we genuinely care about the success and well-being of all of our children.”
