Roanoke to hold Back to School Extravaganza 

Roanoke City Public Schools will hold its annual Back to School Extravaganza on Saturday at William Fleming High School.

School system spokesman Justin McLeod likened the event to a “resource fair” where parents and students can meet school system officials and representatives from various community organizations.

He said there will also be activities for children.

The event is open to Roanoke families. Families will be mailed a postcard prior to the event and with that children will be able to receive a bag of school supplies. Many of the supplies that will be given out at the event were donated through the Pack the Bus school supply drive held earlier this month, McLeod said.

Families who attend will be able to talk with principals and school staff, pick up various school forms, get information about immunizations and physicals, register online for free and reduced lunches and get bus route information.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. McLeod said the officials are preparing for 3,000 people and will begin handing out tickets to the event at 7 a.m. The tickets will have specific time for families to come inside. McLeod said that will keep crowds manageable inside and won’t keep people waiting in line for long.

There will be activities for families who want to stay until their specific time or people can come back at their appointed time.

According to the school system’s website, transportation will be provided from Bluestone Park, Hunt Manor, Indian Rock Village, Jamestown Place, Lansdowne Park (library), Melrose Tower and Pilot Street Northwest.

Buses will leave from the front of each community center beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running through the entire event. Buses will leave on the half hour and return on the hour.

* * *

Area schools officials are reminding parents with incoming sixth-grade students that children must have their tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis — or TDAP — vaccination booster if at least five years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.

LaVern Davis, Roanoke County Public Schools associate director of health services, said in an email that students may not begin classes without the vaccine or a medical exemption signed by a physician. Vaccinations are available from local health departments at no cost.

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