LA PUENTE, CA – Students at Bassett Unified’s Don Julian Elementary were welcomed back to school on Aug. 9 with new backpacks stuffed with school supplies donated by local organizations and businesses.

“Thanks to our community partnerships, our students can have a jumpstart to the new school year,” Principal Martha Arceo said. “We are so thankful to have a community that is invested in the education and success of our students.”

Golden State Foods Foundation, which provided 85 first-graders with backpacks stuffed with school supplies on the first day of school, has supported the school for more than five years.

“It’s been a strong partnership, and we enjoy coming here every year and giving back to the community and children,” Golden State Foods Customer Service Supervisor Linda Sitman said. “It’s great to see the expression on their faces when they receive the backpacks.”

The giveaway was the second this month for Don Julian students.

Nearly 200 fourth- and fifth-grade students received a shopping spree experience for back-to-school supplies on Aug. 3 courtesy of Evergreen Baptist Church of San Gabriel Valley, which has provided back-to-school supplies since 2009. Every year, a different class receives backpacks.

Students chose from a variety of backpack styles and colors, then filled their backpacks with supplies, from pencil cases and manila pocket folders, to ball-point pens and hand calculators. Inside the pencil cases were hand-written notes of encouragement written by young members of the Evergreen congregation.

“It is an honor to be able to provide assistance to Don Julian students and to help them get a head start on their studies,” Evergreen Pastor Victor Chen said.

Bassett Unified Interim Superintendent Debra French said community partnerships like those with Evergreen and Golden State Foods provide essential support for the District.

“It is our goal to ensure that all of our students are prepared and ready to learn at school,” Bassett Unified Interim Superintendent Debra French said. “Thanks to our local community, our Don Julian students are equipped with the necessary supplies to take them through the school year.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

082417_BASSETT_DJBACKPACKS1: A Don Julian Elementary School student receives school supplies from an Evergreen Baptist Church volunteer during a back-to-school backpack giveaway and shopping spree on Aug. 3.

082417_BASSETT_DJBACKPACKS2: Don Julian Elementary School first-grade students received brand new backpacks stuffed with school supplies from Golden State Foods Foundation on the first day of school, Aug. 9.