What does your scholar need to have a great first day of school?
Picture this: your child, with a new backpack filled with school supplies, sporting a fresh haircut and ready to take on the world.
APS and its sponsors are excited to bring all that and more to the students and families attending the Back-to-School Bash this Saturday, July 22 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Halls C1 and C2 from 9a.m. to 1 p.m.
More than 11,000 students and families registered to take advantage of APS’ flagship event. So don’t miss out on this opportunity to get what your scholar needs to have the best chance to start the school year well.
On-site registration opens at 8 a.m., and more than 130 exhibitors will be offering educational, health and support services for Bash attendees. Free parking is available in the GWCC Yellow Lot located on Northside Drive. This incredible event is a true celebration of community, learning, and corporate partnerships.
This year’s top sponsor, Mercedes-Benz USA, is committed to supporting education and career readiness for the next generation. They will also have two of their new electric EQ vehicles out for display.
“Through our corporate social responsibility program, Driving Your Future, we work to empower the next generation through educational initiatives and volunteerism,” said Mercedes-Benz USA Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Lauren Alford. “Our goal is to continue the momentum and positively impact the next generation. We will continue to work with great partners like Atlanta Public Schools to help ensure that more kids are equipped with the tools and resources they need to have brighter futures.”
In step with addressing the whole child, Aetna will be providing free haircuts for students, health screenings for children ages seven and up, and distributing school supplies.
“From our emphasis on preventative care to our social care initiatives and partnerships, we work to address the needs of the community from the bottom up,” Aetna’s Southeast Divisional President Sonya Nelson said. “So many of our community’s social challenges can be traced back to education – a good education is truly the cornerstone of success. We know there are a myriad of obstacles that keep children out of the classroom, and we want to eliminate as many of those obstacles as we can.
In addition to all the school resources available at this year’s Bash, another first-time sponsor, Southwire, has joined forces with Westside Works, The Atlanta Center for Self-Sufficiency and the Atlanta Falcons to host its first job fair at the APS Back-to-School Bash.
The Atlanta Falcons and Southwire will have an activation area to keep students engaged while parents, older family members and caregivers can meet with various employers at the job fair. Companies that are expected to be in attendance are Coca-Cola, the Georgia Department for Early Care & Learning, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Fulton County Government, Marriott Hotels, and many more.
“Our focus of helping people get connected to better jobs to enhance their lives is why we want to support APS. While APS is focused on the children and focused on getting them the nourishment and educational activities they need to focus on later careers, we want to help build up those family members that take care of those youths to access opportunities and wages now that will help their household thrive,” Westside Works director Quasandria Turner said. “We want to ensure that the whole family is cared for, and partnering with APS allows for them to accomplish that goal and have a wholistic approach to serving the community and their families.”
The Back-to-School Bash is a great event to ensure our students and their families begin the school year prepared with the basics. Be sure to visit the many exhibitors, learn about all the amazing resources available and have a fun time.
