Need help getting ready for back-to-school? Check out these SLO County events
It’s officially August, which means families are gearing up for the back-to-school season.
Most SLO County schools are set to open back up between Aug. 13 and 21.
While the start of the school year is an exciting time, it can also be stressful for parents trying to jumpstart learning, buy school supplies, get in touch with teachers and tackling all the other tasks that accompany kids’ return to the classroom.
Luckily, there are a few local events designed to help kids get ready for the school year by providing learning opportunities, compiling resources for families and celebrating the end of summer.
As part of our Parents Central series, we’ve put together a list of some of these events.
SLO County libraries’ ‘Back-to-school Extravaganza’
The San Luis Obispo County libraries are hosting a back-to-school extravaganza on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cuesta College’s SLO campus.
According to a news release from the libraries, the event will include performances from a drumming group and a dance crew, followed by a science show to end the day. There will also be food trucks, a treasure hunt and carnival games.
Kids will be able to see characters from their favorite books — including Pete the Cat and Clifford the Big Red Dog — wandering the event, according to the libraries. On display all day will be an interactive exhibit of squad cars, engines and large trucks from local response agencies.
The event is free and open to the public, the release said.
Back-to-school clothing, book swap
A back-to-school clothing, book and baby item swap will be held at Oceano Park on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., according to an Instagram post from First 5 of SLO County.
The event is being hosted by Central Coast Kids Family Swaps.
According to the post, families are encouraged to bring gently used items to swap. The event is free and open to the public.
Families can attend even if they don’t bring items to swap, the post said.
The items left at the end of the event will be donated to local organizations, according to the event flyer. The event will be canceled if it rains.
Family day at the SLO Botanical Garden
On Sunday, Aug. 10, the admission fee to the SLO Botanical Garden will be waived for the organization’s “Scaly Safari” family day. The garden hosts family days “almost monthly,” according to its website.
Though not officially a back-to-school event, family day at the garden could be a good chance to jumpstart science learning ahead of kids’ first day of school.
According to the website, the event will feature educational activities and crafts in the children’s garden. It will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Help United Way ‘stuff the bus’
If you don’t have kids in school but you want to help out SLO County families who do, the local United Way chapter is hosting its 17th annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign to gather school supplies for students in need.
The fundraiser will run from Friday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 10, according to the organization’s website.
Locals can participate by either dropping off school supplies, donating money to help purchase supplies and run the event, or signing up to volunteer at one of the drop-off locations, according to an event flyer.
According to the flyer, items can be dropped off at:
- Walmart in Arroyo Grande
- Mechanics Bank in Atascadero
- Cookie Crock Market in Cambria
- Target in Paso Robles
- Walmart in Paso Robles
- Target in San Luis Obispo
- Staples in San Luis Obispo
Supplies will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Last year, the organization said it collected $60,000 worth of supplies for children in SLO County. A list of suggested supplies to donate can be found on the United Way’s website.
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