by Kate Evans
Morgan County students and their families can have fun while they receive free school supplies at the community Back To School Bash on Friday, August 10. The event will take place from 5-7 p.m. at Warm Springs Middle School, which is located at 271 Warm Springs Way in Berkeley Springs.
The event is geared to get kids excited about starting the new school year and provide them with basic supplies to be prepared for their first day of school.
Supplies are available for all Morgan County pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students including home-schooled children, said organizer Dawn Beal.
The 4th annual Back To School Bash is sponsored by Morgan County Parks and Recreation and Starting Points Family Resource Center. Two previous annual events were held at Berkeley Springs State Park and another at Berkeley Springs High School, Beal said.
Available supplies
Items that will be on hand for students include ink pens, #2 pencils, dry erase markers, 24-count crayons, large erasers, pencil erasers, glue sticks, scissors, three-ring and plastic pencil boxes, wide ruled paper, loose leaf paper, pocket folders, 12-count colored pencils, highlighters, composition notebooks spiral notebooks and back packs.
This year they also have trapper-keepers, which are like a three-ring binder that’s covered and has a zipper and handle. Students older than eighth grade prefer them to book bags, Beal said.
Activities
Activities at the Back To School Bash will include music by the BlackCat School of Rock, small games and kid-friendly fruits and vegetable snacks at a Pop-up Farmer’s Market.
Local organizations and agencies such as the Morgan County Partnership, Shenandoah Women’s Center, Morgan County 911, the Morgan County West Virginia University Extension Office, early Head Start and local and State Police and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department will have informational displays, exhibits, demonstrations and activities at the event. Beal hopes to have all the school mascots on hand as well as the local K-9 unit.
CNB donates snow cone supplies so every kid gets a free snow cone at the bash, Beal said.
Trinity Asbury and Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church parish will also be handing out freezer pops, pencils and assorted prizes.
Free hair cuts
Free haircuts for students will also be provided by Spring Mills Smart Style Salon at the event on a first come, first serve basis starting at 3:30 p.m., Beal said.
Funding
Funding for school supplies and financial contributions for the event come from a Tom and Virginia Seely Foundation grant, the Morgan County Commission, the Rotary Club, local businesses and churches and individual community members, Beal said.
Donations still needed
Donations of school supplies and monetary contributions are still needed for the Bash. Donors can drop off supplies and financial contributions at Starting Points at 187 South Green Street. They can also call Dawn Beal at 301-331-8400.
Beal said organizers collect supplies for Morgan County students all year because families move here year-round and sometimes need school supplies.
