Garfield Re-2 hosts the first Community Connected Fair

The Garfield Re-2 School District will host the first Community Connected Fair on July 31, 2024 at Coal Ridge High School from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Garfield Re-2 is bringing over 20 community organizations together under one roof for families to learn about, and sign up for educational and athletic programs. Organizations include local city recreation programs, youth football, youth wrestling, One Door, Boy Scouts, youth cheerleading, R.I.D.E and many more.  Families can go to the Garfield Re-2 website (https://www.garfieldre2.net/departments/communications/community-connected-fair) for a complete list of organizations.

In addition, families will be able to register for 13 different classes that will build skills to help their children in the coming school year. Garfield Re-2 staff or community experts will teach classes and include topics such as:

• “How to support your elementary student's reading growth”
• “Cyber safety - What are the latest trends”
• “Unlocking College Aid: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Starting the FAFSA”
• “Fun Facts About Special Education for Families”
• “School Finance 101 - Where do your tax dollars go?”

Classroom space will be limited, so family members will need to register in advance using a registration form that will be emailed to families the week of July 15 and also available on the Garfield Re-2 website.

There will be limited child care and a grill with hotdogs.

The idea for the Community Connected Fair was born from the Family and Community Success Task Force, which launched out of the District’s Strategic Plan. District survey data helped create a direction for the event.

“Our family survey has said for quite a while that family members are unsure if they have the tools to support their child in school. Additional data that we gathered through a tool called ThoughtExchange in the spring, created several ideas for class topics from our families,” said Director of Communications Theresa Hamilton. “We hope the topics support families and create a springboard for additional family-Garfield Re-2-community collaborations.”

She added that the community connections seemed like a logical next step.

“If we are going to try to bring our families together to learn, we can also make it easier for them to connect their children with some of the amazing opportunities our community organizations have to offer,” she explained. “Maybe they already know their child wants to play football, and maybe they will discover the outdoor opportunities offered by other organizations.”

For additional information about the Community Connected Fair, contact Theresa Hamilton at thamilton@garfieldre2.net or visit the Garfield Re-2 website at https://www.garfieldre2.net/departments/communications/community-connected-fair.