back to school

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. -- As teachers prepare their classrooms for a new school year and parents and students make sure they have the necessary supplies, our communities are also looking for ways to help the 2021-2022 school year to be a success. Here are a few back-to-school fairs and health clinics happening prior to the first day of school on August 16.

New Hope Baptist Church is hosting a Back to School Health Fair/Giveaway at House of Hope, 1821 Edmonds St., North Little Rock. The event is scheduled for August 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free school supplies are available for attendees, along with school/sports physicals, school immunizations, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and dental care.

Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church is hosting a wellness clinic on Thursday, August 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment is necessary to receive school immunizations, COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and J&J), and school and sport physicals. Vaccinations are free. A photo ID is required and parent/guardian must be present for minors. The event, taking place at 9921 Hwy 107 in Sherwood will also provide school supplies, backpacks, and dinner to go.

Baptist Health Hospital System is providing Back to School Immunizations for free to families in central Arkansas. The request the child’s shot records. The first 50 attendees to complete the immunization process at each location will also receive a backpack filled with school supplies. See the full list of clinics below:

Monday, August 3

3-6 p.m.

Martin Street Youth Center

201 West Martin Street, Jacksonville

Tuesday, August 3

12-2:30 p.m.

Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas

6221 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock

Thursday, August 5

3-7 p.m.

Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church

9921 AR 107, Sherwood

Saturday, August 7

9 a.m.-12 p.m.

New Hope Baptist Church

1821 Edmond Street, North Little Rock

Saturday, August 7

2-4 p.m.

Southwest Community Center

6401 Baseline Road, Little Rock

Monday, August 9

3-6 p.m.

Liberty Hill Baptist Church

1215 South Schiller Street, Little Rock

Tuesday, August 10

3-6 p.m.

Baptist Health Community Outreach Office

10117 Kanis Road, Little Rock

Thursday, August 12

3-6 p.m.

Baptist Health Community Outreach Office

10117 Kanis Road, Little Rock

Saturday, August 14

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

West Central Community Center

8616 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock

Monday, August 16

3-7 p.m.

Baptist Health Community Outreach Office

10117 Kanis Road, Little Rock

Meanwhile, KTHV, Kroger, and Heart of Arkansas United Way are partnering to help elementary schools and teachers by collecting school supply donations. Items being collected include: dry erase board erasers, dry erase markers, plastic rulers, crayola markers and crayons, red ballpoint pens, black ballpoint pens, #2 pencils, Elmer’s glue sticks and liquid glue, highlighters, pink erasers, spiral notebooks and composition notebooks (wide ruled), loose leaf paper (wide ruled), kids’ scissors, twin pocket folders.

Items can be dropped off at the Little Rock locations of Simmons Bank and Iberia Bank, Cynthia East Fabrics, The Pizza Cafe, J. McLaughlin Clothing, and Tacos 4 Life. KTHV will be live from Kroger at 14000 Cantrell Road, Little Rock on Wednesday, August 11 from 4-7 p.m. Donations can also be made online or shop for supplies on Amazon.

Supplies will be donated to College Station Elementary, Daisy Bates Elementary, Harris Elementary, Landmark Elementary, Lawson Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary, and William Jefferson Clinton Elementary.