Harrison County students in grades 1 through 12 begin school Wednesday with kindergarten and pre-K to begin Aug. 20 and 27, respectively.

 

To kick off the 2018-19 school year, equip families with resources and feature student talent, Harrison County Schools will host the 5^th Annual Family Day at Meadowbrook Mall on Saturday, Aug. 18.

 

Held 11 a.m. through 3 p.m., the event will feature vendor tables throughout the mall manned with representatives of organizations including Job Corps, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, Harrison County school nurses, Legal Aid, The Arc, The Health Plan, WVU Medicine Children's, UHC Cancer Center, UHC Maternal Child Care and several others. Students and their families can browse displays and take part in interactive offerings.

 

"At Center Court, we will be providing activities sponsored by the Harrison County Board of Education and county employees," said Carol Curotz, Harrison County Schools curriculum coordinator and event organizer. "Some activities children will be privileged to experiment with are Cubelets, Code-a-Pillar, 3D Doodler, Little Bits/Snap Circuits and more."

 

Curotz said the day will start with Superintendent of Harrison County Schools Dr. Mark Manchin being escorted into the mall at the Food Court entrance. Doing the escorting this year will be the Lincoln High School Band. 

 

In addition to performances by choirs, bands, cheer and dance teams and other groups, the event will feature a student art gallery and demonstrations. Representatives of athletic, extracurricular, educational and law enforcement organizations will be on hand with information. 

 

“This is our fifth year to host Family Day and we are proud to host an event that Harrison County Schools works so hard to create,” said Robin Urquhart, Meadowbrook Mall marketing director. “The event is great for the entire family. Every school is represented so that parents can talk face-to-face with someone if they have questions. And there is educational entertainment for every age group of students.”

 

Family Day is jam-packed with fun and entertainment, providing students with not only an educational overview, but also opportunities for extra-curricular involvement, Urqhuart said, adding that Meadowbrook Mall is the ideal location.

 

“Families are already here shopping, so if we are able to assist Harrison County Schools in making the transition into a new school year easier for everyone, it’s a win-win situation for all of us,” she said.

 

Editor's Note: Photos from 2017 Family Day are by Ben Queen Photography.