In session: Here are first days of school in and around the Springfield area

It's almost back-to-school time.

That means parents and guardians will be shopping for clothing and supplies for their kids.

According to Forbes citing the accounting and consulting firm Deloitte, spending for K-12 students is expected to be $31.3 billion this fall, slightly down last year. Per-student spending will average $586, also slightly down from 2023.

Parents and guardians are reminded to check their school district's webpage for information on student physicals and immunizations.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is throwing its Back to School Bash at Union Square Park (in the library in case of inclement weather) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 3.

The day features story time and hands-on activities, conservation and recycling activities, safety education, interaction with first responders, face painting and free haircuts.

The Max-OUT Foundation Back to School Summer Bash is at Comer Cox Park from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on July 30.

There will be free backpacks loaded with school supplies for every student. There will be food and other giveaways.

Sylvan Learning Center in Springfield is collecting notebooks, folders, backpacks, pencils, crayons, markers and other supplies for local schools through July 31.

Donations can be dropped off at its Springfield location at 2735 S. Sixth St.

Here are key back-to-school dates from around the area:

Springfield District 186

First day: Aug. 19; July 17 (balanced calendar schools)

Sacred Heart-Griffin High School

First day: Aug. 15

Other important dates: New parent/guardian orientation, Aug. 12; Freshmen/transfer orientation, Aug. 14

Lutheran High School

First day: Aug. 19 (half-day)

Calvary Academy

First day: Aug. 21

Other important dates: Donuts with the principal, Aug. 15; Meet the teacher night, Aug. 17; Virtual parent night, Aug. 22

Routt Catholic High School, Jacksonville

First day: Aug. 14

Other important dates: Student/parent orientation, Aug. 13; Student orientation, Aug. 14

Rochester schools

First day: Aug. 14

Other important dates: Orientation for all seventh graders and new-to-the-district eighth graders, Aug. 8; High freshman and new student orientation, Aug. 8

Ball-Chatham schools

First day: Aug. 14 (one-hour early dismissal)

Other important dates: High school students walk their schedules, Aug. 7-8; Meet the teacher, elementary school students, Aug. 12

Riverton schools

First day: Aug. 13

Other important dates: Meet your teacher night, Aug. 12

Williamsville/Sherman schools

First day: Aug. 15, half day (Sherman 11 a.m., Williamsville 11:30 a.m.)

Other important dates: Half day for all schools, Aug. 16

Pawnee schools

First day: Aug. 14

Auburn schools

First day: Aug. 15 (2 p.m. dismissal)

Jacksonville schools

First day: Aug. 14

Lincoln schools

First day: Aug. 14

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.