RSS feed: RSS is a web feed format used to publish frequently-updated content. Use this feed in an RSS reader or browser (Safari 2, Firefox 2, or Internet Explorer 7 and higher)
While there is plenty of summer left to enjoy, two events Saturday -- one in Whitehaven, the other in North Memphis -- signaled school's not far off.
Hundreds of parents brought their children to Hillcrest High School for the annual Back to School Health Fair, where dozens of Whitehaven community retailers and physicians made their services available for free.
Children received immunizations, physicals, vision and dental screenings, blood pressure and cholesterol checks and a number of other services at no cost.
Trinca Richardson brought seven children, ages 3 to 11, to get health checkups and said she appreciated the organized setup of the event, sponsored by Memphis City Councilman Harold Collins and the Academy for Youth Empowerment.
"They have everything set up in a row, so I don't have to worry about rushing or trying to get an appointment," she said. "I can get everything done here and (the children) can be all ready for school."
Collins helped direct parents to the different services and assisted with the hot dogs and water that were available. Having the health fair was essential to the children's learning, he said.
"Proper hygiene and proper health sets the tone for successful people. (Children) can't learn if they are sick. And it is our goal, our intent and desire to take away all variables that will hinder them from being successful. And it starts right here," he said.
Hazel Moore, president of the Academy for Youth Empowerment, said the event, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., also brought the community together.
"We've done it for 10 years, and everybody is excited to be out here and be a part of it. Being able to work together is just enhancing and making a better community," she said.
Twelve miles north, volunteers were preparing KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle and High School for students who start a summer session Monday. KIPP stands for Knowledge is Power Program.
At 9 a.m., some teachers and their friends began to touch up hallway walls with white paint where scuff marks from students' backpacks had rubbed off the coating.
"It's important for the students to come to an environment that models what they'll go into in life -- something clean and orderly," said Nedra Anderson, the director of special education. "We want our school to model a professional environment."
They would later hang mirrors and curtains and do some other touching up around the school.
