'Stay in School' kickoff planned to encourage students, parents

A "Back to School, Stay in School" kickoff will be held at Aiken Middle School on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., primarily for children in fourth through eighth grades and their parents.

The event is co-sponsored by the Aiken Branch of the NAACP, the Aiken County School District, Communities Empowering Youth, the S.C. Alliance of Black School Educators and the Clemson University Youth Learning Institute.

The event is community-wide, but the focus is on students from North Aiken Elementary School and Aiken Middle, said Aiken Branch President Brendolyn Jenkins.

The event will include fourth- through eighth-grade student workshops and separate workshops for parents. Activities will be available for students in 4K through third grade, as well. Door prizes and food will be provided.

The kickoff, a national initiative of the NAACP, is the first such event in South Carolina, Jenkins said.

"We deeply appreciate the leadership of (Aiken County Superintendent) Dr. Beth Everitt," said Jenkins. "We're pleased with her leadership to work with the NAACP and the community as a whole on improving the lives of children through education."

Everitt had planned to attend the rally but will be out of town Saturday because of a family emergency. However, Area 1 Assistant Superintendent Joy Shealy, Associate Superintendent Dr. Kevin O'Gorman and Principals John Bradley (Aiken Middle), Rhonda Ray (North Aiken) and Garen Cofer (Aiken High) will participate.

"We thought it was a good idea to bring together community members in a celebration of education," said Everitt. "There are events for parents and interesting activities for students. I hope it becomes an annual event."

Student workshops will feature topics such as "Yes I Can!," "Love Shouldn't Hurt," "It's Your Body - Keeping It Healthy" and alcohol and tobacco awareness.

The workshops for parents will include establishing relationships with their children's schools, getting involved in their children's education and gang issues.

"We want to pilot and implement this project around the Crosland Park area before taking it countywide," said Jenkins. "There are a lot of good things going on there - new homes, community activism and parental involvement."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.