Health screenings, school supplies at Back to School Fair Saturday at CHS

The Moniteau County Back to School Fair is set for Saturday, July 28, with no-cost health screenings, school supplies and more. The annual event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at California High School. More than 250 Moniteau County students are registered for the event.

The goal of the fair is to send Moniteau County students back to school with no undiagnosed health issues and with the supplies needed to learn. The event is supported by donations from across Moniteau County, including Co-Mo Electric Cooperative, Co-Mo Cares, the California Lions and Kiwanis clubs, Bobbio's Pizza and numerous other local businesses and organizations.

"The support of the community is what makes this fair happen," said John Agliata, Co-Mo's communications manager and a member of the fair's organizing committee. "Without their donations, there is no Moniteau County Back to School Fair."

Students were asked to register for the fair by July 1. Those students are guaranteed a backpack filled with school supplies specific to their school and class lists if they attend during the time listed on the registration form. Unregistered students are welcome to attend, but supply-filled backpacks are limited.

The fair is open to all Moniteau County students, regardless of their family's income level.

"A key part of this fair is the ability for parents to have their children get medical screenings all in one place," said Andrea Kincaid, administrator of the Moniteau County Health Center and a member of the organizing committee. "This saves the hassle of busy parents having to run around to different appointments on different days."

Screenings for dental, vision, hearing, height, weight, scoliosis, blood pressure and immunizations will be performed. Parents are asked to bring their children's immunization records.

In addition to the health screenings and school supplies, the event will feature informational booths and entertainment. Among the exhibitors: The National Guard is bringing an inflatable jousting pit, and Co-Mo Electric is bringing its safety demonstration kit to teach kids the importance of electrical safety.

For more information about the fair, call Agliata at Co-Mo Electric at 800-781-0157.