Dallas hosted its 28th "Mayor's Back to School Fair" Friday at Fair Park. Dallas ISD families started lining up a couple of hours early to pick up school supplies and receive other services like medical and dental check-ups.
"We want kids to walk in knowing they're ready with everything they need so they can focus on their academic achievement and have fun at the same time," Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said.
Families registered ahead of time and must meet federal poverty guidelines to qualify.
Outside the event, a DJ played music, and cheerleaders and the Roosevelt High School of Innovation drum line played. Families could take pictures with Champ and Victor E. Green, the mascots for the Dallas Mavericks and Stars.
"It's refreshing. You definitely want to keep that excitement for the kids so they keep wanting to go back to school, the path to success, and the path toward liking what he's doing," the father of a sixth grader said.
"When I was talking about it, they were really excited," the mom of kids entering third and sixth grade said. "We had to come early. As you see, it's crowded. It's awesome. We came last year, and it's very nice for the kids."
Dallas ISD said the event included 200 companies and non-profits with 400 volunteers giving out supplies.
Elizalde says the event can help kids get the supplies they need but also help them start preparing mentally for the start of a new year.
"It's exciting to see how many of our families are eager to get back to school, really enjoy the learning process, reconnect with friends, their teachers," Elizalde said.
She said hosting a party to launch the start of a new school year can give kids supplies they will need but also help them look forward to time in the classroom. Elizalde also told parents how the district works to make sure kids are protected.
"Safety and security will always be a priority in our schools," she told families. "I don't want parents to worry. We've got panic alarms, we've got clear backpacks, we've got school monitors. We want our children to feel very safe."
Dallas ISD has about 143,000 students. The district's first day of school is Monday, Aug. 12.
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