More than 2,000 Newport-Mesa Unified School District students and families turned out for Saturday's Back to School Kickoff Expo, where free backpacks, shoes, haircuts and sports physicals were on offer two weeks before the Aug. 17 first day of school.
The annual event filled the IKEA parking lot at 1475 S. Coast Drive in Costa Mesa on Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon. Some 150 volunteers and 55 community partners staffed stations offering school supplies, bike helmets, skateboards, oral health screenings and high school sports physicals.
The biggest single donation: 2,300 pairs of new shoes provided by a coalition of local churches led by Crossing Church, joined by Redemption Church, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, Rockharbor Church and Christ Lutheran Church. That's up from nearly 2,000 pairs donated at last year's expo.
"Our community continues to show what is possible when we work together on behalf of our students," Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith said in the district's recap published Aug. 3. "We are grateful to every partner and volunteer who helped make this day possible."
Christy Flores, NMUSD's director of engagement, partnership and expanded learning, said in the same recap that the event aims to ensure every student starts the year prepared and supported by the community.
NMUSD serves roughly 22,000 students across Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. The expo is open to all enrolled families, including those at Newport Harbor High School, Corona del Mar High School and Ensign Intermediate in Newport Beach. Revival Hair Outreach provided free haircuts, Walk N' Rollers taught bike safety skills, and the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living supplied face painters, balloon artists and family giveaways.
Other partners included IKEA, Families Together of Orange County, Share Ourselves, Foster Love and the Lions Club.
What's ahead for Newport Beach families
The first day of school for all TK-12+ students is Monday, Aug. 17. Before then, several Newport Beach registration dates are on the district calendar:
- Ensign Intermediate: 7th-grade registration Wednesday, Aug. 5; 8th-grade registration Thursday, Aug. 6
- Newport Harbor High: 10th-12th grade registration Aug. 12-13; 9th-grade Anchor Down Freshman Orientation Friday, Aug. 14
