Stockton Unified to host back-to-school celebration for students and families on July 20

With roughly two weeks until the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, Stockton Unified School District is hosting a welcome back celebration.

The bash includes free school supplies for students, popsicles, and a chance for parents to speak to Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez and members of the Stockton Unified Board of Education. Board President Kennetha Stevens will be in attendance, along with Board Vice President Sofia Colón and Board Clerk Donald Donaire.

Stevens said she's looking forward to kicking off the new school year with students and their families.

"Our goal is to strengthen relationships with families and deepen our bonds with community," Stevens said.

This school year, Rodriguez said the district is "focusing on the whole child, whole family, whole community."

It's a student-centered model she's often talked about since her arrival at Stockton Unified last summer, which emphasizes the role of the community in supporting schools, the connections between health and academic achievement, and the importance of evidence-based school policies and practices.

"We invite families to join us in conversations as we move the district forward," Rodriguez said.

The free event is from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at Weber Institute at 302 W. Weber Ave. in Stockton.

The first day of school for students in the district is on Aug. 1.

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton Unified to host back-to-school bash for students and families