Students and parents visit various vendors at the 2023 Mattie Rhodes Center Back to School | Photo Courtesy

Emily Wheeler
Editorial Intern

  As the 2024-25 school year approaches, various organizations around the Kansas City Metro have begun to offer events and resources to support Historic Northeast students and families, whether attending public, private or charter schools. The following resources and events are available to help ensure a successful start to this academic year

Mattie Rhodes Center is hosting a back-to-school event from 4 to 6 p.m., Aug. 8 at 148  N. Topping Ave. Free immunizations and sports physicals will be offered, as well as a school uniform raffle. Free school supplies will be available while supplies last. 

Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools will host its annual back to school drive alongside the Mattie Rhode Center from 4 to 7 p.m., Aug. 9 at the Guadalupe Centers Youth Center and GCMS gym (2641 Belleview Ave). Free backpacks and school supplies will be available. Students will have the opportunity to get a haircut and visit many vendors. 

Rock the Block — hosted by Northeast Middle School and Northeast High School — will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Aug. 15 at 415 Van Brunt Blvd. NEMS and NEHS tudents will have the opportunity to receive their school schedule and school supplies. Music, food trucks and more will be at this event. Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS) will also be in attendance. Partnerships through VILS allow students at NEMS to receive iPads with internet access — granting students home-internet accessibility.

Wings and School Things — hosted by MyCollegeDraft —  will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug 17 at Blue Band Apparel (723 E. 18th St). This Wings and School Things festival was created to provide community fun, music and great food, all while supporting student success.  Through this school supply drive and giveaway, this organization hopes  to provide students with school supplies throughout the academic school year.

ScrapsKC Teach Resource Center is open quarterly during the academic year: from 3 to 6 p.m.,Wednesdays through Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 6 p.m.  ScrapsKC’s Teacher Resource Center provides free school supplies to eligible teachers to level the educational playing field for students in Kansas City. Eligible teachers must be a certified, full-time K-12 teacher at a public, private or charter school. For more information regarding teacher eligibility and how to apply, visit https://scrapskc.org/teacher-resource-center. 

Assistance League of Kansas City’s Operation School Bell provides new clothing, health supplies, books and other essential items to local K-12 students in need — as well as uniforms to Kansas City Public Schools and Charter Schools. To learn more about Assistance League of Kansas City, its programs and how to donate or get involved, visit its website at www.alkc.org. 

 Elementary students receive three shirts, two pairs of pants, a warm top, winter gloves, hats, and scarf, six pairs of underwear, six pairs of socks, a pair of shoes, hygiene kit and a book of their choice.

Middle and high school students receive a target voucher for $150 to go shopping for school clothes, shoes, hygiene items, professional clothing for internships and clothing necessary for participation in band or choir. 

Score 1- Kansas City University’s Score 1 for Health is a preventive health program that provides free, in-school health screenings for elementary-aged children in the greatest need — including urban core and low-income families from under-resourced neighborhoods. For more information on clinic locations and availability, visit rb.gy/vvjdc7.