Back-to-school party for students in Springfield’s North End neighborhood

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A back-to-school party was held on Friday over at Roberto Clemente Park for children living in Springfield’s North End neighborhood.

The city of Springfield treated families to a summer send-off in the hopes of providing children with the tools they need to be successful this school year.

Hundreds of families made it out to Roberto Clemente Field on Friday morning to receive some much-needed supplies for the start of school. Roberto Berrios who’s starting sixth grade this year, was grateful to be one of the lucky kids, to receive a free backpack with school supplies.

“It helps me do better in school and others too,” said Berrios.

Superintendent of schools, Dr. Sonia Dinall, says that this back-to-school party is all about preparing students and removing any potential barriers that families might face to ensure that kids are ready to come back to school ready to learn, “We support our families and our students we prioritize learning and we have to put our money where our mouth is so we’re saying come to school come to school, but we have to give them to tools in order to access that curriculum part of the tools what we put in the backpack.”

Students are being equipped with everything they need to be successful this school year.

They are receiving free backpacks, notebooks, and even fresh new haircuts to look good and feel confident in the classroom.

“Think about it when you look good, you feel good,” explained Ronald Smith, a Stylist at A Cut Above the Rest Hair Salon.

“I know when my hair is done my confidence is that utmost so you know just really you know being able to give them that confidence like you look at my hair done and I’m ready for a new year,” expressed stylist Jhori-Dee Davis from A Cut Above the Rest Hair Salon.

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