In preparation for the start of the 2017-18 school year on Aug. 17, the Twin Rivers R-X School District hosted its Back to School Fair on Tuesday.
Around 30 vendors were on hand to supply students from the district with nearly all the supplies they will need to start a new school year.
In addition to items such as notebooks, backpacks and pencils, students received haircuts, vision checks and physicals all free of charge.
"We have a good time and the children really enjoy themselves," said Twin Rivers School Board member Donna Sue Ashcraft-Fincher, who organizes the event.
Of the 950 students in the district, Ashcraft-Fincher said she expected to see more than 600 students visit the Back to School Fair. This number has doubled since the first event was held seven years ago.
Also in preparation for the beginning of the new school year, Twin Rivers High School Principal Misti Lovelace said the bell schedule has changed.
According to Lovelace, the first bell of the morning will ring at 8:02 a.m. and dismiss at 3:04 p.m.
The change of the bell schedule also will bring changes to the bus routes, said Lovelace, by about 10 minutes earlier in the mornings and later in the afternoons.
Lovelace added incoming freshmen will want to attend freshman orientation at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at the high school gym in Broseley.
Banking Service Manager Gina Blue from Southern Bank in Qulin said she has participated as a vendor since the first year the fair was held.
According to Blue, Southern Bank's philosophy is community support and the Back to School Fair is a great way to give back to the community.
"This is a really great community event," said Blue. "It really serves a purpose and helps families with back to school expenses."