SAVE THE DATE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17TH, 2008
1pm to 4pm
LIBERTY SQUARE
AT THE SC AQUARIUM AND
THE Charleston MARITIME CENTER
6TH ANNUAL
FIRST DAY FESTIVAL
The First Day of School Initiative is a national campaign to generate widespread community support for schools, excitement about the beginning of another school year and is a celebration of education.
The main purposes of the initiative is to encourage parents to attend school with their children on the first day, celebrate education, and enhance public engagement in our community. Schools provide activities for families such as workshops, picnics, or assemblies. Employers are encouraged to support education by allowing employees time off (paid, unpaid, or flextime) to participate in activities at their child's schools.
First Day Festival 2007 :
The 5th Annual First Day Festival was successfully held on Sunday, August 19, 2007, at Liberty Square at the SC Aquarium and the Charleston Maritime Center. The festival drew the largest crowd ever with over 7,000 people in attendance and the 92 exhibitions that provided information on health, wellness, afterschool, and other student support services. Additionally, 4,178 festival attendees enjoyed the $1 admission to the SC Aquarium. For a second year, the Junior League of Charleston and the Charleston Police Department partnered to fingerprint and ID over 300 children. Healthy food snacks donated by 13 food vendors were available at the food court organized and coordinated by the Lowcountry Food Bank.
To accommodate the growing number of people that attend the First Day Festival, water activities, vehicles, and the food court were located at the Charleston Maritime Center. Boat Rides were provided to 680 people by SpiritLine Cruises and DNR’s E/V Discovery. The South Carolina Maritime Foundation provided free tours of the tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina. As well as, the Charleston Angler gave children and parents the chance to fish.
One important aspect of the festival is the free school supplies that are handed out to the thousands of students who attended. The students received notebooks, pencils, rulers, erasers, pens, and other necessary school supplies. The Cooper River Bridge Run donated 5000 backpacks which contained school supplies that were collected from school supply drives organized by 12 businesses and organizations.
The success of the 5th Annual First Day Festival can be attributed to the assistance and hard work of over 250 volunteers, numerous partners, and businesses who are committed to supporting education, students, and families through out the year.
* Encourage your employees, who are parents of children in school, to attend the
* Provide time off for parents to take their children to school on the first day.
* Support education throughout the year by allowing parents time off to participate in
activities at their child's school.
It is important that parents get involved in their child's education from the very start of school and continue that involvement throughout the school year.
Your participation will help make this event a success. Individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer! This is a great opportunity to help support area children as they start the new school year.
As a major part of the First Day Festival, basic school supplies will be handed out to every student who attends. We are seeking donations of school supplies or a contribution to offset the purchase of school supplies.