atlanta events tagged interest

By Josephine Flenniken, contributor

Decatur, GA — The Atlanta, Decatur and DeKalb school districts are hosting back-to-school events over the next couple of weeks. City Schools of Decatur starts the new school year on July 30. Atlanta Public Schools heads back to the classroom on Aug. 1. The first day of school in DeKalb is Aug. 5.

On July 18, City Schools of Decatur will be throwing an All-in Back-to-School Bash from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Decatur High School Gym, located at 310 N McDonough Street. Donations of food, school supplies, book bags, or monetary value are welcomed. All attendees are required to register for the event here.

Atlanta Public Schools is hosting a back-to-school event as well on Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center in halls C1 and C2. The Congress Center is located at 285 Andrew Young International Boulevard. APS will provide free backpacks, schools supplies and other resources to students and families during the event. For more information, click here.

The DeKalb County School District will also be hosting a Back to School Rally on Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at James R. Hallford Stadium on 3789 Memorial College Ave. in Clarkston. There will be live entertainment, free school supplies, resources for parents, and health screening stations. For more information and to register, click here.

The city of Stone Mountain is also hosting a back-to-school bash on July 27, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. It will be on the “Baptist Lawn” property at 5325 Manor Drive. The event will include face painting, games and opportunities to view police and fire vehicles. There will also be a dunk tank for members of the city’s public safety team. The city will be giving away school supplies, including backpacks, pencils, pens, and more.

In other back to school news, Star-C, a collaborative 501(c)(3) organization founded by landlord and author Marjy Stagmeier, has partnered with the Empty Stocking Fund to provide support and resources to communities in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Fulton counties, according to a press release.

From late June through August, 52 communities that qualify as part of affordable or workforce housing will receive 50 supplies-laden backpacks each. “Star-C Week” is also coming up on July 22-26, and will take over 200 students on field trips to museums and cultural sites.

“We are excited to partner with Star-C,” said Barbara Blalock, Empty Stocking Fund’s new executive director. “Together, we are able to support thousands of students, ensuring they are equipped and ready for school.”

Star-C is based in Atlanta and has a history of providing school supplies, after school programs, eviction relief, food security, access to healthcare, and summer camps to those living in affordable housing. Optimistic after the success of a similar giveaway last year, this new event and partnership is a part of Star-C’s new initiative, Star-C Select, which received a $1 million grant in funding from UnitedHealthcare.

Donations are being received via Star-C’s website to cover the expenses, which come to about $20 per backpack. For more information, click here.

Assistant Editor Zoe Seiler contributed to this story.