Published: August 24, 2007 06:22 am            

WO-C will hold first Back to School Expo

By Tommy Mann Jr.

The Orange Leader



Students and their families of the West Orange-Cove school district are invited to attend a special event this Saturday morning.

The West Orange–Cove school district will hold its first ever WO-C CISD Back-to-School Expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Lamar State College–Orange.

Parents of children in West Orange-Cove schools and members of the community are invited to attend.

Lorraine Shannon, director of public information for West Orange-Cove school district, said this program has been something the district wanted to do for a long time.

“Our idea for this program came from another district which used to hold this same type of event,” Shannon said. “The success of that district’s Expo really seemed to make a difference, so we wanted to do the same for our students and community.”

Shannon said the district’s parent involvement committee has really been the driving force behind the creation of the back to school Expo.

“We feel this Expo is a good way to boost Mustang spirit, show off our kids, and provide information about our great programs to all of our parents in the district,” Shannon said. “It’s just another way to improve student success by having teachers, parents and children working together.”

Each of the five West Orange-Cove campuses will have booths set up, which will share information regarding their programs and activities.

One new activity this year will allow Anderson Elementary and Oates Elementary students to sign up for an after school Yamaha piano keyboarding.

Shannon said the school will have a keyboard there, along with more information about the program.

The district will also have copies of the textbook The Bible and its Influence being used at the high school. The course is an academic elective course offered through the Social Studies department.

Shannon said a number of community resource groups will be present on Saturday too, including Inspire XII which will provide information about its program and summer camps.

Other organizations and groups attending include the Orange Public Library, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, the Stark Museum of Art, Parent Teacher Associations from high school and middle school.

“The Science SuperStars will also be at the Expo performing some of their experiments,” Shannon said. “LifeShare will conduct a blood drive, and Wells Fargo will be there with a program to educate children on finances.”

A and G Fashions will be at the Expo providing families with information and displays of required school clothing for children in head start and pre-kindergarten through junior high, and, coincidentally, students from Anderson Elementary will have a style show demonstrating the appropriate clothing.

Other resource groups attending will be Laidlaw Transportation, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Southeast Texas Foster Grandparents, and the Texas Cooperative Extension office.

Shannon said the technology department will feature a student demonstration of the district’s Smart Boards and how it is used in the classroom.

Also, the district’s nutrition department will have nutrition and recipe information available for parents, as well as coloring sheets and forms for free and reduced lunch services.

“Nurses from the district will also have immunization information available for parents,” Shannon said. “They will give parents information relating to children’s health and when to or not to send children to school.”

Laidlaw Transportation will also be participating, and will also provide transportation to and from the event for residents of city housing complexes.

School buses will pick-up parents and families and then transport them to the Expo at the following times and locations:

The district will also provide return transportation. Buses will leave the Expo and return families to the pickup locations at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

The West Orange-Stark High School Fillies Booster Club will be selling fundraising items and team merchandise as well.

Parents will additionally be able to pick up and complete volunteer applications, community after-school study lab information and enrollment forms, and more.

“We know that the Orange Public Library and the Friends of the Library will be participating and sharing information regarding their programs,” Shannon said. “Lamar State College–Orange will also be present sharing financial aide and admission information.”

Camp Fire will be present to share information and will have a spirit bracelet activity for children.

The elementary robotics students will give a demonstration at 10:45 a.m. and members of the high school band will perform at 12:45 p.m.



The Region V Prevention Resource Center, from Nacogdoches, will participate and share alcohol, tobacco, and drug prevention information.

Additionally, the South East Texas Foster Grandparent Program will be participating.

More organizations and agencies are still being added to the Expo.

The event will be held at the Lamar State College–Orange Student Center Gymnasium, Green Avenue, Orange. It is sponsored by the WO-C CISD Parent Involvement Advisory Committee.

The mission of the West Orange–Cove CISD Parent Involvement Advisory Council is to partner with school and community to achieve and improve success of all students, and to provide numerous opportunities for parents to participate in the educational process of their children.

Admission to the Expo is free. Door prizes, including standardized dress clothing, school supplies, back packs, and books will also be given away throughout the program.

For more information contact the WO-C CISD Public Information Office at 409-882-5627.



Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com

        

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