July 27, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Annual Back-to-School Fair slated for August 4, 2007

The 7th annual Wyandotte County Back-to-School Fair is scheduled for Saturday, August 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Kansas National Guard Armory, at 18th and Ridge, in Kansas City, Kansas. Students and parents from all Wyandotte County schools – both public and private – are invited to attend.

Free school supplies will be available on a first come, first served basis to Wyandotte County students. Proof of Wyandotte County residence is required. Children must be present to receive school supplies.

Other resources and information will be provided by a coalition of community agencies and organizations. Each child will receive a free book, compliments of the Kansas City Kansas Public Library. Free health and screenings will be provided, however immunizations will not be available.

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools will provide information and assistance to students and parents. The Nutritional Services department will be on hand to assist parents with applications for the free or reduced lunch programs. Representatives from the Music Department will have information on instrumental music programs, and many individual schools will be on hand to greet returning and incoming students.

Wyandotte County Sheriff's Reserve Deputies will distribute free child identification cards with fingerprinting through the Identi-Kid program.

A free hot dog lunch will be provided to participants by the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools Nutritional Services Department.

Entertainment, provided by Haven Center, includes a dunk tank, moonwalks, temporary tattoo station, and a balloon twist. Luis Galdamez, motivational speaker, will be talking to youth in English 9-9:30 a.m. and in Spanish from 9:30-10:00 a.m. The KC Marching Wildcats, Tracy Neely Factors Band, and El Grupo Folklorico Atotonilco (Hispanic Dance Group) will perform.

The Wyandotte County Workforce Partnership Mobile Service Unit will be available to demonstrate to parents how to use the Kansas Job Link program to seek employment. Demonstrations will also be available on accessing the internet for employment.

The Back-to-School Fair is supported by School Linked Services, and The Haven Center, and organized by the Back-to-School Fair Committee.

"We are in the business of providing services to all students and families in Wyandotte County for successful outcomes, not only in school, but also in the community." said Dola Myers, program coordinator for School Linked Services, Inc.

For additional information contact Christal Watson, Back-to-School Fair Chairperson, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, 913-279-2324 or Steve Goceljak, Executive Director, School Linked Services, Inc., 913-627-4381