ATLANTA — It’s one of the biggest back to school parties in the Metro Atlanta area. Atlanta Public Schools put on their annual “Back to School” bash at the Georgia World Congress Center Saturday morning, putting new school supplies in the hands of thousands of students.
[SPECIAL SECTION: Channel 2′s complete guide for back to school 2021 in north Georgia]
Channel 2′s Kristen Holloway was at the event, where people were lined up out the door waiting for APS staff to hand out some 6,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, face masks and boxes of food. All things needed just days before the start of school.
Holloway spoke to 7th grader Francieles Basilio, who was first in line with her sister and mom in tow.
“I think this is great, because now we don’t have to worry about getting to the store and actually trying to find supplies,” Basilio said. “I really want a new back pack, that’s for sure, and mechanical pencils.”
APS tells Channel 2 Action News that corporate and non-profit donations made the event possible. For parents like Cepia Harper, the donations mean saving hundreds of dollars.
“I literally spend like $200-300 dollars just on school supplies alone,” Harper said. “A lot of parents like myself have been struggling during the pandemic. So it’s really great that they’re actually looking out for students before they go back to school.”
BACK 2 SCHOOL
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Holloway spoke with School Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring about preparations for the upcoming year. Herring says they are committed not only to making sure every child has what they need for school, but also to the health and safety of both the students and parents.
She encouraged families to get kids who are eligible vaccinated against COVID-19. County officials were providing free vaccinations on site.
“As soon as they leave GWCC they can go right across the street and get vaccinated if they are 12 and up,” Herring said.
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