(news release from HISD)
Houston’s Business Community Encouraged to Support Event
June 30, 2011 – Houston Independent School District (HISD) and the City of Houston are hosting the first district-wide Back-to-School Fest on Saturday, August 6, from 8 a.m. to noon at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The event is expected to benefit at least 25,000 HISD students and their families.
The event will feature dental, health and vision checks; free immunizations; assistance with school supplies and uniforms; vouchers for haircuts; information on HISD schools and programs; HISD resource and service information; City and community resource information; as well as a host of fun, educational activities for children, and live entertainment.
Shell Oil Company is the Presenting Sponsor of the event. Title Sponsors are the Blue Cross Blue Shield Care Van Program, Kroger, Reliant Energy, Texas Barber Colleges and Hairstyling Schools and UnitedHealthcare. Metro is a Platinum Sponsor. Gold Sponsors are Amerigroup and KelseyCare powered by CIGNA and Comcast is a Bronze Sponsor. Additional sponsors include Better Houston, IKEA and Smart Financial Credit Union. Many more sponsorship opportunities remain.
Today Mayor Annise Parker and HISD Superintendent Terry Grier issued a community-wide call for assistance in making the inaugural Back to School Fest a huge success. “Houston is known as a caring and giving city, willing to share our time and resources to support our students in furthering their education,” Mayor Parker said. “Today we are calling upon our corporate citizens to help in this effort.”
HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier said individual volunteers are also needed to help run the event. “The students of HISD are Houston’s future work force and it’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure they are well prepared,” Dr. Grier said. “With the help of our volunteers, the Back to School Fest will help ensure all of our children start the school year on track.”
“We are a proud sponsor of this event,” Frazier Wilson, vice president, Social Investment, Shell Oil Company, said. “25,000 students are expected to benefit from this event; if even one of those students gains a passion for science and mathematics, then we will have made great strides in developing a future generation of thought leaders able to address the energy challenge.”
The event is open to HISD students and parents. Attendees must provide proof of HISD enrollment, a current HISD student identification card or the student’s last report card.
There are numerous opportunities remaining for sponsors and volunteers. For more information, please visit www.HISDBacktoSchoolFest.org or call 713-556-7200.
Mary Benton Media 
