Families prepare for the 2024-2025 school year at Whitley Co. 'Ready Fest'
Jul. 30—WHITLEY COUNTY — The 2024 Whitley County School District Ready Fest was a great success on Monday. Held at Whitley Central Intermediate School, the event — running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — saw an impressive turnout.
By mid morning, more than 300 people had registered in to the event.
Throughout the day, attendees took advantage of various screening opportunities, including DIAL-4 screenings for preschool students, vision and hearing screenings, and communication screenings for speech and language.
Community organizations, such as McKinney-Vento, Save the Children, Early Steps to Success, First Steps Early Intervention Agency, and the Whitley County Health Department, were on-site to offer support and information.
A highlight of the day was the Kentucky Blood Center's mobile donations drive. Donors received a $15 Walmart gift card while supplies lasted.
Ready Fest featured numerous organizations and activities, such as the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension/4-H, haircuts for children, Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency, Cumberland River Comprehensive Care Center, GED enrollment, and community education through AHEC (Area Health Education Center), Whitley County Public Library, and the RECC Green Initiative.
Gift bags containing health and beauty aids were also distributed, one per household while supplies lasted.
Sponsored by the Whitley County School District, Whitley County Family Resource Youth Service Centers, and Save the Children, Ready Fest was a wonderful opportunity for families to prepare for the upcoming school year and connect with community resources.
Next up is the Readifest to be held this Thursday by the Corbin Independent Schools Family Resource and Youth Services Center.
Community partners scheduled to participate include Whitley County Health Department, Corbin Public Library, 21st Century, Cumberland River Behavioral Health, Grace Health, Corbin Police Department, Extension Office, 4-H, Access Health, and Corbin SROs.
Corbin Food Service will be providing a meal and the Corbin FRYSC will also give away school supplies.
Corbin's Readifest is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. at Corbin Elementary School.