WESTON – More than 1,300 people showed up for Otsego Local Schools’ Back to School Day earlier this month.
Back to School Day took a hiatus with COVID but is back “and it was a huge success,” said Superintended t Kevin O’Shea at Wednesday’s school board meeting, held at Weston Public Library.
“We wanted to create a day that really provided more of what services we can provide to families as they gear up for back to school,” he said.
During the Aug. 9 all-day event, there was a hallway full of mental health service providers, local churches with personal hygiene supplies, a school supplies table, and counselors to answer questions.
School pictures were taken, class schedules were handed out, bus routes were listed, free and reduced lunch applications were available, free vision and hearing screenings were offered, pay to participate fees were explained, and extra-curricular activities tables were set up.
Dana, the district’s new facility dog was introduced.
The elementary provided a Kona Ice Truck, “which was slammed the entire afternoon,” O’Shea said.
The committee, after the event, discusses ways to expand, including with a mobile dental truck to provide teeth cleaning and by offering physicals or vaccines on site, he said.
“This was a great start on bringing back something that was really positive,” he said. “It was a real big sense of community.”
The success of Back to School Day was followed by successful open houses.
The district has outgrown the old format, O’Shea said.
During the open houses Monday in the district’s three buildings, “cars were parked all over the place, they were in the grass, and I’m surprised we didn’t have them on the football field,” he said. “There were people everywhere.”
Seven food trucks were available and even though the open houses ended at 8 p.m., they were still serving at 9:45 p.m.
“If felt so good to be back,” O’Shea said.
Classes at Otsego started Wednesday.
