Smithville FBC to again host Back to School Bash (View video here)

July 21, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Families in DeKalb County can get a helping hand with their back-to-school needs thanks to the annual Back to School Bash hosted again this year by the Smithville First Baptist Church (FBC).

The event will be held rain or shine Tuesday, August 1 starting at 6 p.m. at the church’s Life Enrichment Center downtown.

Pastor Chad Ramsey said other churches, businesses, etc. will be joining in the effort to provide free school supplies to families as well as food and fellowship. Tables or booths will be set up inside the Life Enrichment Center gym and to help prevent duplication of services, they will each offer different types of supplies from pencils, paper, back packs, etc. Participants will line up at the door and enter after being handed information describing what they will find at each table. Families will walk through and get what they need from each booth. Most of the activity will be held inside.

“We are very excited about the Back to School Bash,” said Ramsey. “This is an event that has been going on for many years in Smithville. It was once held on the town square. After COVID, we brought it back here at the Smithville FBC and we now host this event in our Life Enrichment Center. We are excited to offer it. Last year we had people lined up and over one thousand people came through. We had enough supplies for every single one of them and we will have ample supplies again this year. Its not being done just by us here at the church. Many businesses in the community have contacted us and they will have booths at this event. There will be from 14-16 booths and each will have different types of school supplies. We will have supplies for kids from the elementary school age, intermediate, middle school, and the high school. We will have basic things kids will need for school without families having to go purchase those at the store. This will save them hundreds of dollars. A special thanks goes to companies, churches, businesses, and others who are participating in this,” added Pastor Ramsey.

July 20, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Its almost Back to School time in DeKalb County!

A system-wide in-service day will be next Wednesday, July 26 and at the individual schools Thursday and Friday July 27 & 28. Registration for students will be Tuesday, August 1 and the first full day of school is set for Thursday, August 3. Wednesday, August 2 will be an administrative day for teachers only.

The 2023-24 school calendar is as follows:

DeKalb County students and teachers will have a full week off for fall break October 16-20, Thanksgiving November 20-24, and spring break March 25-29, and a two-week break for Christmas December 21 to January 3. December 20 will be an abbreviated day. Students will return to school after the Christmas holiday on January 4, 2024. Schools will also be closed for Labor Day September 4, Dr. Martin Luther King Day January 15, President’s Day February 19, and Monday, April 1. The last day of school will be May 21, 2024. May 20 will be an abbreviated day.

Report cards will be issued at all schools on October 9, January 9, March 13, and May 21.

Parent teacher conferences will be held at DCHS from 3-6 p.m. on October 10 and March 19 and at all the other schools, DWS, NES, SES, and DMS from 3-6 p.m. on October 12 and March 21.

July 20, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A Smithville business is organizing an event with the help of others to provide back to school supplies for kids.

Smithville Nutrition’s First Annual Better Together Back to School Bash will be July 30 at 460 West Broad Street from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Local businesses are urged to support the effort by providing supplies or sanitary items for the event. Your participation or donation will help meet the goals for this giveaway to reach over 250 students and families. No proof of income required. All items will be given away on a first come, first served basis. All children must be accompanied by an adult to attend.

Bambi Wilson of Smithville Nutrition said the effort is to support student success by supplying students with basic school supplies and sanitary necessities.

“I have always liked to do things that give to kids. I was once in foster care and I have nine kids I have taken out of the foster system, so I have always loved doing things for kids because I know how it is to be in the system,” said Wilson. “What I am trying to do with our first Back to School Bash is to get with a lot of small businesses in the community so we can get these kids back to school in the proper manner from hygiene to school supplies, backpacks, gently used clothing, etc. However, you can assist us for these kids we would appreciate your help. Our event is on Sunday, July 30 in our parking lot at 460 West Broad Street. We have the entire parking lot and area we will be using,” said Wilson.

For more information contact Bambi Wilson at 615-215-2262 or smithvillenutrition@icloud.com.