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‘Back to School Bash’ for Sebring Local Schools

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(Left) Sebring staff members Julie Naples, left, sixth-grade teacher, and Mary Harlan, B.L. Miller school secretary, handed out fully supplied backpacks to incoming Sebring fourth graders Brantley Miller and Zolan Sayre. (Right) Brian Clark, Sebring’s Junior/Senior High School principal, and Nichole Hanley, elementary principal, greeted students at the recent “Back to School Bash.” Story on A9. (Submitted photos)

SEBRING - Sebring Local Schools partnered with the United Way of Youngstown's Success after 6 program and other community supporters to provide 197 backpacks filled with school supplies at their "Back to School Bash" Aug. 6.

The celebration was held at Sebring's local pool, with more than 350 people in attendance, including students in grades Pre-K to 12 and more than 100 families, as well as Sebring Local Schools Superintendent Toni Viscounte, district principals Nicole Hanley and Brian Clark, and staff.

"It was a great afternoon, full of fun, with swimming, food, a magic show, prizes and the opportunity to welcome and reconnect with our students and their families," said Hanley, principal at B.L. Miller Elementary. "We're really grateful for all of those who contributed, making the event a total success and getting our students excited to start the year."

The annual bash was made possible through the support of many, and the ongoing partnership with United Way of Youngstown, which provided the backpacks and school supplies.

"The generous support we receive from our Trojan staff, volunteers and community partners continues to amaze me each year," said Jill Dennis, Sebring Local School District's Family Engagement coordinator. "From packing the bookbags to making sure the event ran smoothly, their contributions make it possible for our students to have the resources to return to the classroom."

Dennis also serves as the district's coordinator for United Way's Success after 6 program, marking the second year of its participation in the program.

"We're really looking forward to the year ahead through additional programming and services with Success after 6," said Dennis.

Additional supporters of the event included Partners in Education at B.L. Miller Elementary, Giant Eagle, the Sebring pool staff, Sebring Parks & Recreation, Sebring staff and administration, and community volunteers.

Students received purple postcards for displaying and reciting the B.L. promise, "Be responsible, be respectful, be safe and be positive," which was organized by members of the school's Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports team.

Families also received additional information for the after-school program offered by Success after 6, as well as ALTA's school-based mental health and awareness services, and Akron Children's Hospital's school-based health resources.

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