Hundreds of Students Attend Back to School Event

by Tony Vindell/LFN

Hundreds of students from throughout the area received supplies during a back to school event sponsored by the Brownsville Independent School District.

Many of the youngsters, parents and relatives lined up outside the district central office at Palm Boulevard and Jefferson Street and also received a number of services such as health screenings and even breakfast.

Each of the approximately 2,000 students was given a backpack, note pads, pens, pencils, crayons and other items just in time as a new school year is to begin.

Several organizations involved in health care were on hand as well, giving immunizations, dental care, diabetes screening, blood pressure checkups and so on.

Rosie Pones, health service administrator with BISD, said the event has been going for eight years.

‘We served an average of 2,000 students,” she said. ‘We do this with the participation of dozens of vendors.”

She said any one is welcome to come by regardless of where a child comes from whether this is Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito, La Feria or Los Fresnos.

Timothy Cuft, an assistant superintendent, said no questions are asked as to where the children and parents come from.

Lourdes Bocanegra, who brought her two children to the event, was one of scores of parents who showed up at the giveaway.

“This is a good service to the community,” she said. “Getting our children ready for a school takes money.”

Angie Lara agreed.

“This is very helpful,” she said. “Financially helpful.”