What’s Right With Our Schools: Catoosa Kids Day
CATOOSA COUNTY, GA (WDEF) – The back-to-school countdown continues. Parents are racing to get their kids everything they need for the first day. They recently got a helping hand in Catoosa County with an event that included free school supplies, health screenings and even haircuts. Catoosa Kids Day is a timely example of what’s right with our schools.
Sandy Matheson is the Development Officer for Primary 6 Health Center.
Sandy says, ” Catoosa County Kids Day has been going on for over 12 years in the community. It’s a collaboration of all our partnerships; the Y, the Family Collaborative, Defax, many of our wonderful nonprofits are here. At Primary Healthcare we’re here taking care of our kids, getting them ready. Their ear vision and health checks that they’re required to have to go back to school.”
Jennifer Davis is the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for Primary Healthcare Center.
Jennifer says, ” We can help the children get all of their required health checks all in one place in one day. So, that the families don’t have to go to different locations to get all of these records. And they can get them delivered directly to the school so the first day can be seamless.”
Sandy adds, “We’re giving them preschool supplies and helping load them up and get ready.”
Brock Cooke is a 6th grader at Ringgold Middle.
She says, “Whenever you go in some people might be like anxious about what they don’t have and what they do. And they might be worried about it that they might need it that first day. And they just might go into school nervous.”
Sandy explains, “We know there’s been a 25 to 30% increase in school supplies in the last year or too. So,this is just our blessing of and way to give back to the community and help the parents. And just wrap our arms around our community and help them get ready.”
Alisha Cooke is parent and teacher.
She says, “With having so many kids, it really does help. You know getting a few items it’s marked something off of our list, and it’s just so important because everybody in the county has such a great time when they’re here. They can get haircuts. They can get vision screenings. Um they can you know do just about, anything.”
Sandy concludes, “So many of our children our families are either underserved or in rural areas where it’s hard to get care. So, by being able to come into the College and Career Academy this year and get everything done at one time get signed up for free and reduced meals, get their health checkups, get information about so many other wonderful nonprofits that provide support. It’s much easier on the parents and the grandparents and those taking care of children to be able to do that. They will have supplies in their backpack. Um some of them are getting food today. The YMCA is giving out free food. And they’ll be ready to go. We’re just honored to be here to help our community. And we want to continue to provide services. And if they can’t make it out today, the most important thing is to know that you can call Primary Health Care Centers. You can call the Family Collaborative. And that we can get you connected with the resources you need to have a good school year.”
