Toronto event helped students prepare for school

PREPARING FOR SCHOOL — Jessica Piatt assisted her husband, Capt. Derek Piatt, and other members of the Toronto Police Department in distributing bags of school supplies to seven-year-old Cecilia Cantwell, who was accompanied by her mother, Jocelyn, during Toronto City Schools’ Back to School Bash Monday. — Warren Scott

TORONTO — From bags of assorted school supplies to information about activities and services offered at their schools, Toronto students of all ages got a boost Monday in preparing for the new school year.

On Monday the parking lot of Toronto Junior-Senior High School and Toronto Elementary School was filled with 30 booths manned by representatives of various groups dispensing backpacks and other materials to the youth.

Among them was the Toronto Police Department, which used funds remaining from its Christmas with a Cop program to purchase school supplies for distribution there.

Businesses with booths donated gift baskets for drawings held during the event, and all of the students received free chances.

The occasion had a carnival spirit, with food trucks, bounce houses, various games and a clown creating balloon animals on the premises.

But it also allowed school personnel and various organizations to meet with families to share information that may be helpful to them.

On hand to discuss services offered by C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc.’s School-based Health Center were Amber Moores, a licensed practical nurse at the facility within Toronto Elementary School; and Elizabeth Kuntz, a mental health counselor there.

Kuntz said the center offers child wellness visits, sports physicals and other services for students but also is available to treat members of their families.

Moores said it offers all school-required immunizations, which may be paid through insurance or Medicaid.

Danielle Czuchran and Rachel Shorac, a nurse and medical assistant, respectively, with the Jefferson County Health Department, disbursed 50 free bicycle helmets, funded through a grant from the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Put a Lid on It program, and tips on bicycle safety, including following all traffic signs and rules of the road and watching for others on roads or sidewalks.

They also were on hand to answer any questions families had about the health department’s services, including immunizations.

Czruchran noted for those who lack health coverage, there’s help to ensure children have received the vaccinations needed to attend school.

Mark Prichard, pastor of Crossroads North River Church, joined Tiffany Beckwith, director of youth, children and nursery at the church; in spreading the word about its Wednesday Navigators program.

Prichard explained the 13-week program is open to youth of various ages who meet from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Wednesday at the church to receive help with homework, participate in assorted activities and learn various life skills.

Beckwith said for example, the youth have learned to bake bread, received tips from a professional carpenter and have received safety tips from local police and firefighters.

Prichard said transportation from the Toronto school campus is available, and background checks are performed for all volunteers with the program.

He noted it will begin on Sept. 4 and break around Thanksgiving before resuming again in February.

Music for the Back to School Bash was supplied by the Toronto High School Band under the direction of its new director, Abigail Jansen; and teacher and disc jockey Rich Coburn, who also introduced the band’s members and athletes in Toronto’s fall sports.