The line for Prince George's County Public Schools 7th annual Back-to-School Fair... preparing families for new school year. @WTOP pic.twitter.com/l3rNpNK6sg
— Kathy Stewart (@KStewartWTOP) August 26, 2017
BOWIE, Md. — In Prince George’s County many parents who have kids look forward to the county’s back-to-school fair that helps out families that can’t afford new backpacks and school supplies for the upcoming school year.
This year, some 10,000 backpacks were handed out on Saturday in Bowie during the fair. Inside the backpacks were basic school supplies like copybooks, pencils, crayons and glue.
This was the 7th annual back-to-school fair. But it’s the first year that it was held at Prince George’s Stadium, which is home to the Bowie Baysox in Bowie, Maryland.
It was previously held at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro.
Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Dr. Kevin Maxwell said about two-thirds of students in the county qualify for free or reduced school lunches, a statistic associated with poverty.
“We want them to have what they need to be successful,” he said.
The parents were very grateful for the extra help.
“Giving children the opportunity to get a free backpack and school supplies gives them the ability on the first day of school to be well prepared like everyone else,” Maxwell said.
The new school year begins after Labor Day on Sept. 6 in Prince George’s County.
Some kids, like third-grader Tomi Oshu, were excited to be heading back to school.
“I love to go to school,” she said.
Others though, were less enthusiastic.
“Kind of,” said Morgan Holston, who is also a third grader. “But, not really.”
