These school supplies are free

Free backpacks and the Quakey Shakey Schoolhouse? Must be the Back to School Family Resource Fair.

Did anyone just hear a collective sigh? That’s the sound of local students and parents realizing that for many, school starts on August 14 this year—three weeks earlier than usual. To ease the transition, parents and young scholars can go to the Back to School Family Resource Fair this Saturday at El Cariso Park.

Perhaps the biggest draw of the annual fair is the free giveaways, especially the backpacks. However, this year there’s a twist—kids will be required to investigate some of the other resources that are available before picking up their freebies.

Those other resources are as good as the free swag, if not better. There will be dental screenings from the UCLA School of Dentistry and asthma screenings from the Northeast Valley Health Corporation along with vision screenings, information about immunizations and mental health resources.

The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department will provide radKIDS public safety training, the Masonic Lodge will offer child fingerprinting and the county Fire Department’s “Quakey Shakey Schoolhouse” will put a fun, active spin on earthquake preparedness. The Pacoima nonprofit ABC Learn will be on hand with free books, stickers and pencils, along with information about their tutoring and other after-school programs.

Since this is an outdoor event during these dog days of August, organizers will provide canopies, squirt bottles and free water to keep everyone safe, cool and hydrated. Even better, El Cariso’s swimming pool will be open and free to the public from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the day of the event.

The resource fair takes place Saturday, August 11, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The free giveaways will be available as long as supplies last. El Cariso Park is located at 13100 Hubbard Street in Sylmar.

Posted 8/8/12