Students Gear Up for the New School Year at Excelsior Springs Resource Fair

Students were able to pick from a wide variety of backpack styles and fill them with supplies (photos S Jason Cole).

Excelsior Springs, MO—The Excelsior Springs Middle School Gym buzzed with excitement and anticipation on Monday, August 12th, as scores of students and their families gathered for the Excelsior Springs School District’s annual Back to School Resource Fair. Held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, the annual event is an effort to ensure that every student, from Pre-K to 12th grade, is equipped with the tools they need for a successful academic year.

Representatives from Clay County Health greeted children and families.
Julia Mees with Excelsior Springs SAFE visited with students and parents.

Families were greeted by the welcoming smiles of teachers and staff and offered support from various community partners. Among the highlights of the event was the distribution of free backpacks and school supplies to all ESSD students in attendance. The gesture, which is meant to alleviate the financial burden on families, was met with gratitude and enthusiasm by students and parents alike.

Rylee Smith began an annual tradition of collecting backpacks for the resource fair nine years ago. She's a senior now and hopes the tradition can continue.

More than a dozen community and school organizations were present, offering information, services, and support. Representatives from SWOPE Health, Beacon Mental Health, Excelsior Springs SAFE, Meet the Need, Clay County Public Health, Excelsior Springs Police Department, and the Good Samaritan Center were on hand to provide guidance and assistance to those in need. From health and wellness services to safety information and social support, the event showcased the broad network of resources available within the community.

For those who were unable to attend the event, there are still opportunities to connect with available resources. Kim Curtis encourages families to reach out directly to learn more about available support. She can be contacted at 816-630-9230.

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