Before its more than 38,000 students head back to the classrooms, Berkeley County School District is eager to make sure its students are ready for the first day of school.
Thousands of families showed up to celebrate the arrival of the 2024-2025 school year with Berkeley County School District’s annual OneBerkeley Back to School Festival.
The event is a time for district and community members to connect with families and help everyone kick off a new school year on the right foot with a day of fun and some helpful information and resources to support BCSD families.
The 2024 festival was held at the Moncks Corner Regional Recreation Complex on Saturday morning. BCSD’s primary sponsor of the festival was Santee Cooper. View photos from the event HERE.
BCSD Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon said the Back to School Festival is a way for the district to come together and get everyone pumped for the first day of school, happening Aug. 14.
“It is very exciting to welcome our students, see them in an informal manner, meet their parents and community members, and just see everyone come together with the excitement of going back to school,” Dixon said.
A huge feature of the festival is the bookbag distribution. The district had more than 3,000 bookbags, lightly packed with some basic school supplies, to give to students on a first come / first serve basis; while the event did not officially start until 9 a.m., a hefty line for the bookbags started to form around 8 a.m. and weaved all the way to the way to parking lot.
“I just want to continue to push our vision – and that’s making a positive difference,” Dixon said, adding, “This is an event where it is just about making a positive difference.”
In addition to the bookbag distribution, families enjoyed face painting, jump castles and some visiting food trucks during their visit. BCSD department and community members set up tables to give out information, resources and goodies for the students.
Shaun Bunton, technician with Santee Cooper, said he and his fellow coworkers enjoyed coming out to socialize with the community and show support for students as they prepare to head back to school. Santee Cooper staff distributed coloring books, crayons, pencils and sticker books to visiting students, as well an information covering electrical and safety.
“We’re just happy to be out here and help our communities, and show that we’re all one out here,” he said. “Whatever we can do to help, we’re going to try to help them.”
