Actions

Back-to-school rally held for RPS students, teachers

Posted at 6:36 PM, Aug 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-06 18:36:48-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- Over 100 Richmond Public School students attended a Back to School Rally at Martin Luther King Middle School Saturday afternoon.

Latoniya Brown was one of many who revived a free backpack and school supplies to get her ready for the new year.

"Each year we run into a lot of personal issues into the classroom, we decided to come into their community and meet their needs where they are," said Chadra Smith of Northside Coalition for Children.

She is one of the organizers and is also a teacher in Richmond Public Schools.

"A lot of us are meeting our kids here, I met two of mine here today and they get to see I care about them as well," said Smith.

The event wasn't just about students getting supplies. The group also made sure teachers were stocked up on supplies for the new year.

"We have a lot of first time teachers who are walking into classrooms with no supplies because of budget issues, so this group, Northside Coalition has been going out and saying we need to give away to teachers," she said.

Along with getting supplies to prepare for the first day back in the classroom, parents said events like Saturday's help students remember just how important education is all year long.

"I tell my kids education is everything," said one parent.

This is the 8th year in a row the Back to School Rally has happened.

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.