Brrrrring! With the sound of bells soon returning as the first day of school inches closer, the 23rd Mayor’s Back to School Fair, presented by Walmart, has Dallas families covered. A one-stop-shop complete with all the back-to-school essentials, the Fair is set for Friday, Aug. 2, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Centennial Building at Fair Park. Pre-registration events are being held across the city throughout July.
With approximately 35,000 expected to attend, the Fair offers families everything they need to prepare for the school year including free school supplies for Dallas schoolchildren (who meet eligibility requirements); free health, dental and vision screenings; immunizations; haircuts; and the latest information on education, health, and social services. Pre-K through 5th-grade students will receive a colorful backpack. Add in musical entertainment, kids activities, games, interactive demos and freebies galore, and the Fair makes for a fun day the whole family can enjoy together.
“The Mayor’s Back To School Fair has become a staple – and a great tradition – for Dallas families, filling in the gaps and playing an important role in ensuring our kids are ready to roll their first day of school,” said Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson. “I heard how the Fair has helped thousands of Dallas families over the years and, as the newly elected mayor, I’m thrilled to step in and continue all the great work that Mayor Rawlings and other mayors have done, not only with the Fair but with supporting education. To all the wonderful sponsors, donors and community partners who step up each year, thank you for your commitment to education in our great city.”
Community partners offering services and supplies
Walmart will conduct free vision screenings for children and offer general health screenings, including blood pressure and glucose checks. Texas A&M University College of Dentistry will provide free dental screenings for students and oral health information for everyone, plus fluoride applications, toothbrushes, and toothpaste to students. Dallas County Health & Human Services will provide free immunizations; the National Kidney Foundation will offer kidney health screenings, and Positive Breathing will offer asthma screenings. Cedric B’s Barber and Beauty Salon and Ogle School of Hair, Skin and Nails will offer free haircuts to students. Essilor Vision Foundation will be on-site conducting eye exams and providing eyeglasses for children at no cost to qualifying families. In addition, Undies for Everyone will hand out six pairs of underwear to children (first come, first served) and Half Price Books will give away 10,000 books.
Dallas ISD will have a large area with bilingual staff on hand to provide information on magnet schools, scholarship and alternative programs, psychological and social services, parenting and family literacy.
Educational information and services, in English and Spanish, will be offered at hundreds of community resource booths on crime prevention, fire safety, college readiness, housing, transportation, personal finances, health, nutrition, and literacy.
Eligible families who qualify for free school supplies are encouraged to pre-register at events held throughout Dallas in July. Families can also register at the Fair Aug. 2; however, families who pre-register will save time and guarantee receipt of school supplies at the Fair.
Call to action!
Mayor Johnson is encouraging the public to support education by donating online to provide school supply packets and backpacks for children the day of the Fair. One backpack is $21, and tax-deductible donations to the Mayor’s Back to School Fair may be made at https://mei.kimbia.com/mbtsf.
Guideline details
Free school supplies are available only to Pre-K through 12th-grade students who attend a Dallas ISD school OR live in the City of Dallas and meet the 2019 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
For Dallas ISD students, families must provide proof that the student attends a Dallas ISD school by providing any of the following documentation with student ID number – most recent student report card, letter from student’s school stating the student attends a Dallas ISD school, student ID card OR a printout from the online Parent Portal that shows student’s ID number).
For students attending other schools who live in the City of Dallas, families must provide a valid photo ID, City of Dallas proof of residency and verify income is at or below the 2019 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Picture ID includes state driver’s license, state identification card, military identification card, foreign consulate-issued identification (i.e. Matricula Consular), school or employer work identification card, or church ID card.
Proof of residency includes May, June, July or August 2019 utility bill (electricity, water, phone, cable or gas) showing applicant name and current address; any mail sent to applicant showing applicant name and current address, with a postmark from May, June, July or August 2019; or letter from landlord or apartment management company, on company letterhead, indicating proof of residency during May, June, July or August 2019.
Proof of income may be verified using paycheck stubs from May, June, July or August 2019; a letter dated in May, June, July or August 2019 on agency or company letterhead from an employer, welfare office, caseworker, or Social Security Administration Office indicating annual income and signed by an agent of the company or agency (letter must include contact phone number for verification); or other qualifying documents include Medicaid letter, unemployment, disability, or SNAP food benefit letter/card.
PRE-REGISTRATION EVENTS
Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Erik Jonsson Central Library
1st Floor Lobby
1515 Young St.
Dallas, TX 75201
Monday, July 15, from 3-5 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr
2901 Pennsylvania Ave.
Dallas, TX 75215
Tuesday, July 16, from 2-4 p.m.
Casa View Elementary School
2100 N. Farola Dr.
Dallas, TX 75228
Tuesday, July 16, from 5-7 p.m.
Lancaster-Kiest Branch Library
2008 E. Kiest Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75216
Thursday, July 18, from 2-4 p.m.
Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa, M.D. Elementary
School
9990 Webb Chapel Rd.
Dallas, TX 75220
Friday, July 19, from 3-5 p.m.
Eastfield College Pleasant Grove Campus
802 S. Buckner Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75217
Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m.-noon
Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center
5150 Mark Trail Way
Dallas, TX 75232
Saturday, July 20, from noon-2 p.m.
Fretz Park Library Branch
6990 Belt Line Rd.
Dallas, TX 75254
Tuesday, July 23; 2-4 p.m.
Sam Tasby Middle School
7001 Fair Oaks Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231
Wednesday, July 24, from 4-6 p.m.
Highland Hills Branch Library
6200 Bonnie View Rd.
Dallas, TX 75241
Thursday, July 25, from 3-5 p.m.
Harmony Science Academy – Dallas High
12005 Forestgate Dr.
Dallas, TX 75243
Thursday, July 25, from 2-5:30 p.m.
Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness
Center at Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center
4500 Spring Ave.
Dallas, TX 75210
Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m.-noon
Prairie Creek Branch Library
9606 Lake June Rd.
Dallas, TX 75217
Saturday, July 27, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Martin Weiss Recreation Center
1111 Martindell Ave.
Dallas, TX 75211
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