Hundreds of students and their families recently spent a Saturday afternoon at
Carter G. Woodson Elementary for its first annual Community Outreach Day.
Special visitors included Duval County Public Schools' Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals, Deputy Superintendent Pat Willis and Executive Director for Turnaround Schools Jackie Byrd, as well as School Board member Betty Burney and State Representative Mia Jones.
The event, which was sponsored by one of the school's business partners, A. B. Coleman Mortuary, was an opportunity for Carter G. Woodson Elementary to become a focal point of the local community, providing parents with instant access to the resources they need to help their child grow into productive citizens in society.
Inside the school's gym, organizations such as the YMCA, Jacksonville Public Library, Clara White Mission, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, and Boys/Girls Scouts, were on hand to provide students and their parents with helpful information and resources.
Students also had the opportunity to meet their teacher for the 2009-2010 school year, and tour their classroom. To help jump start the school year, Aetna handed out free backpacks filled with school supplies to every student in attendance.
Outside of the school, students had a blast on the inflatable bouncy houses and enjoyed music from a local DJ. Ashley Street Catering provided free lunches, while Shands Mobile provided free health screenings.
Principal Cheryl Quarles-Gaston thanked the local vendors, community members and parents for their support, and encouraged the parents to stay involved all year at Carter G. Woodson Elementary.
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