Tarrant County Back To School Roundup Gets Underway

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FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Students in the Fort Worth Independent School District will be heading back to school is less than two weeks and today a free event is being held to make sure they're ready.

The Tarrant County Back to School Roundup is underway at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

Organizers are expecting to provide free school supplies to some 10,000 underserved students, in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. Backpacks will also be available for children in Pre-K through 5th grade. Only students who live in Tarrant County and meet specific income requirements are eligible.

Roundup organizer Cody Nelson said the event will prepare students for the start of school. "It's gonna be a one stop shop for these families," he said. "They're gonna walk in this event, when they walk out they're gonna be completely ready to go to school. They're gonna get haircuts, immunizations, eye screenings, and help with glasses. Anything they need to be successful in school they're gonna get here today."

Superintendent Dr. Kent Scribner was out mingling among the crowd early. He stressed events like this benefit students. "We really want to make sure our students are in class on the first day, because teaching and learning happens on Day 1," he said.

Mother Tasha King said the event makes a big difference to her and her family. "This is a tremendous help," she said. "We're a low-income family so coming out getting the immunizations and things that we need, for free, is a blessing."

The event includes free haircuts, free dental screenings, fluoride applications, free toothbrushes and toothpaste for students. In addition to immunizations, schoolchildren and their families can get free health screenings.

Nelson said putting together the health and welfare services, getting school supplies and planning activities for the children takes time. "We start tomorrow. We will start preparing for 2017's event and we'll work all the way up until the day of, trying to put together the funds and everything that happens here."

You must have been screened and pre-registered to take advantage of today's event. Any family that did not pre-register will not be allowed to take part. No walk-ups are allowed.

Paid parking is available at Will Rogers Memorial Center. There is free parking nearby at Farrington Field, at the corner of University and Lancaster and shuttle service will be provided from the field to the event.

The 2016 Tarrant County Back to School Roundup opened at 8 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m.

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