Back-to-School Resource Fair Supports more Than 900 Students

The first day of school is always exciting, but making sure students have what they need to start the school year off right can also be stressful. The Back-to-School Resource Fair made the transition from summer to the school year a bit easier. 

Held in mid-August at Clark Elementary School, almost 500 families attended the inaugural Back-to-School Resource Fair. In partnership with the Issaquah PTSA and the Issaquah Schools Foundation, the event brought together resources to help families get ready for the new school year. From free school supplies and health screenings to clothing and haircuts, the fair offered a range of essential services meant to ensure students started the school year confidently. 

"The Back-to-School Fair was so much fun," Director of Health Services Laura Carmichael said. "It was great to provide vaccinations and sports physicals to make life easier for parents and ensure students have what they need to be safe and enjoy school." Health services were a key feature of the fair, with 39 students receiving vaccinations and 51 students receiving sports physicals on-site. 

The atmosphere was welcoming, with volunteers, local organizations, and district staff working together to serve the school community. In total, 646 students received “Tools4Schools” backpacks filled with supplies, and more than 880 students participated in the event’s Clothing Closet, coordinated by the district’s Family Partnership team.  “Our vision was for families and students to be excited and shop for their own clothing as they got ready for school. Parents commented that shopping at the fair was like shopping at a real retail store.  It was joyful to see students leave the fair with their bag full of clothes for school,” Family Partnership Specialist Lorna Gilmour said.  

Staff and volunteers sorted donations from families and community members, with students eagerly picking out items that would help them feel prepared for their first day back. “It was a gratifying and moving experience to walk through the clothing donation space, where all the items were well organized and in perfect condition,” district parent Nairim Indriago said. “This type of work makes me feel very proud to belong to this community.”  

Angela Dahrea, a volunteer and PTSA Council Outreach Coordinator, shared her thoughts on how the fair also helped bring people together. "A big goal for me with the Clothing Closet portion of the Back-to-School Fair was to foster community," she said. "The messaging was inclusive, and there was a positive energy among the volunteers and participants." 

Families also accessed other community resources. Organizations like the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services provided information on childcare vouchers, food assistance, and more. Seventy families applied for the Free and Reduced Lunch program, and 91 students received free haircuts. 

The Back-to-School Resource Fair not only helped students gather the supplies and services they needed but also highlighted the power of collaboration in creating a stronger, more inclusive community. As Director of Counseling and Student Well-Being, Noah Westerberg noted, "We are looking forward to working together on future events to help ensure that students and families in our community have access to the resources and services they may need."