FAYETTEVILLE — In less than three weeks, students head back to the classrooms in Fayetteville and across Northwest Arkansas.
The Fayetteville School District will hold early enrollment sessions for new and returning elementary students, starting Monday, at all elementary schools. The sessions are for all kindergarten through fifth-grade students.
Asbell and Happy Hollow elementary schools have completed early enrollment sessions because they are on a continuous learning calendar. The first day in those two schools is Thursday.
All other schools in Fayetteville open Aug. 19.
All students must re-enroll and provide proof of residence with a utility bill or rental agreement.
Alan Wilbourn, the school district’s spokesman, said the purpose of enrollment is to make certain the district has accurate information on all students, particularly in the event of an emergency.
Enrollment times are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday; and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.
Students in south Fayetteville, who may face challenges with school preparation, will find assistance at the “Back to School Block Party” on Saturday.
The event is sponsored by Restore Community Development Corp. which provides help to residents in south Fayetteville.
The afternoon outreach program will be from 3-6 p.m. in the Tyson Foods parking lot on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Interstate 540, said Dana Posey, media coordinator for the event.
Students of all ages will be provided physicals, school supplies and haircuts during the afternoon.
The group plans to offer 10 $500 scholarships to college-bound seniors and a laptop computer will be given away, Posey said.
The festivities include appearances by Ronnie Brewer, former Razorback and current Chicago Bulls basketball star, and members of the University of Arkansas football team to sign autographs from 4 to 5 p.m.
For more information on the block party, contact Posey at 479-251-1465 or visit the organization’s Web site, www.restorenwa.com.