On Aug. 7, 2018, the University City community celebrated the seventh annual National Night Out and Back-to-School Rally with more than 1,000 people attending, 400 ID kits for children and 500 students left with backpacks filled with school supplies donated by District partners, businesses and organizations.
Jointly sponsored by the University City Police Department and The School District of University City, this event has become a tradition that brings the community together in the spirit of the “Safe at School, Safe at Home” theme. This year, however, due to weather concerns, the event moved inside Brittany Woods Middle School and the McNair building. All teams were beneficial in making that switch happen smoothly.
On Aug. 16, the Board of Education acknowledged the following lead coordinators and their teams, Gary Spiller, executive director of Student Services and Innovation; Karl Scheidt, executive director of Operations; Carolann Cole, communications specialist, along with Captain Dana Morley and Chief Larry Hampton of the University City Police Department. Food was prepared and served by the UCPD's Focus Group volunteers and supported by St. Louis Job Corp volunteers lead by Jeffrey Taylor. Thanks was extended to our medical partners including Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis, Drs. Rabia Rafiq and Darryl Bradley (UCHS Class of 1986) who, supported by District nurses, offering students free immunizations and sports physicals at discounted rates. Thanks also to hair stylist LaDonna Berry and her team from G-Revae'z Studio Salon along with middle school parent Cleveland Stanton who served 28 haircuts and 5 styles. Stanton was not scheduled to volunteer, but saw the need, went home to get his barber tools and helped. That's just the kind of thing you can expect in University City!
New this year, Transpar, provided a school bus to serve as a collection site for supplies and clothing. Kim Dann-Messier of Helping Hand Me Downs coordinated a clothing boutique to help students know how to tap into those services. Donations and remaining backpacks are distributed through the schools as needed. (Those still desiring to make donations may find more details at www.ucityschools.org/Donations4Families.) Last, but certainly not least, we thank the amazing team of more than 30 volunteers from The Journey on Hanley Road along. The team, led by Pastor Carlos Smith, were integral in helping transition from the outdoor “block party” to an indoor event. The Journey volunteers supported virtually every service inside and outside of the event!
More photos are available on the District Facebook page. (Click here.)
