School fairs prepare kids for class, but are parents ready?

Dawn Redig, editor of Blue Ribbon News
Dawn Redig, editor

I remember the first time my son went fishing and discovered that cleaning a fish did not mean giving it a bubble bath. It rocked his world.

Then we took a family trip to San Antonio, to visit the Alamo. My son cried in disappointment, because he thought we were there to see Elmo. 

As we launch our new website and use social media to connect with readers and businesses across DFW, I want to be careful not to get caught up in the day-to-day grind. I don’t want to look up from my computer and suddenly realize my daughter stopped calling her favorite soda “root beard,” or find out my son no longer needs to hold my hand when riding the “scare-ilator” at the mall.

Now that school districts across North Texas are preparing to welcome students back, some of you may share similar emotions. We can’t wait for our kids to go back to class, but we’re not ready for summer to end or our children to grow up.

Whether your children will be boarding the bus for the first time or they’re driving themselves to school, cherish the moment and the memories. And share your experiences with us, by emailing editor@BlueRibbonNews.com. We’re interested in all kinds of school news – from classroom activities, field trips and fundraisers to afterschool sports, band, and student achievements.

On BlueRibbonNews.com, you’ll find several back-to-school fairs scheduled across DFW to help students get ready for the new year.

Dallas area schools, the City of Dallas, public health departments, state agencies, nonprofits, corporations and countless volunteers have come together to host the 15th Annual Mayor’s Back-to-School Fair, presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4 at Fair Park’s Automobile and Centennial Buildings.

The event is free and open to the public; however, free school supplies are available only to families with school-aged children who live in the City of Dallas or attend DISD schools and meet eligibility requirements, as defined by the 2011 Poverty Income guidelines.

 To avoid long lines and guarantee receipt of free school supplies, eligible students should pre-register from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 30 at Cobb Field House,1702 Robert B. Cullum Blvd.

To share your news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.