Back to school, and beyond

It may seem like summer just started, but it’s that time again. School hallways across the county will soon clamor with a cacophony of young people headed for class. Are your scholars fully equipped? If not, help is on the way.

Over the next two weeks, resource fairs will provide families in the San Fernando Valley free assistance for the coming school year and beyond. Three of them will also provide the now-mandatory Tdap (whooping cough) vaccine. Here’s what’s on tap:

Sylmar

The “Back to School Children’s Health Fair” sets up on Saturday, August 20, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at El Cariso Park, 13100 Hubbard Street. It is organized and sponsored by L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and L.A. County’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

Resources include:

• Tdap vaccinations from L.A. County Department of Public Health
• Free backpacks filled with school supplies (while supplies last–there are 300)
• Dental screenings from UCLA School of Dentistry and Kids Community Dental Clinic
• Vision screenings from Valley Community Clinic
• Diabetes screenings from Mission Community Hospital
• Physical activities and body mass indexing with Valley Care Community Consortium
• Asthma Education from Northeast Valley Health Care
• Children’s fingerprinting from the Masonic Lodge (for identification)
• Earthquake preparedness from Yogi Bear School House Rock
• Free books and tutoring information from ABC Learn
• Valuable information from local government agencies and community organizations, and arts and crafts for entertainment

San Fernando

This “Family Resource Fair” takes place Saturday, August 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at San Fernando High School, 11133 O’Melveny Avenue. Hosted by State Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes, the event’s 30 co-sponsors include Walgreens, Pacoima Beautiful and Supervisor Yaroslavsky’s office.

Resources include:

• Immunizations (including Tdap)
• Bicycle helmets and training
• Dental and vision screenings
• Blood pressure and asthma screenings
• Diabetes and cholesterol testing
• Child car seat inspections (plus, free seats for qualifying families)
• Child fingerprinting

Canoga Park

Part one of “Back-to-School Resource Fair” is Saturday, August 20, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 21400 Saticoy Street. Hosted by State Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield, the event is co-sponsored by New Economics for Women and various local officials. (Please note: This location will not offer the Tdap vaccine)

Resources include:

• Free haircuts from Van Nuys Academy of Barbering Arts
• Fitness activities from the West Valley and Mid Valley YMCAs
• Free school supplies and backpacks
• Physicals from New Economics for Women

Van Nuys

Part two of the “Back-to-School Resource Fair” is just like the first (see above), with one important difference: Tdap vaccinations will be available for the first 150 in attendance. The fair is Saturday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 6931 Van Nuys Boulevard.

Come out to any of the fairs to get a cost-free start to a healthy, successful school year.

Posted 8/18/11