ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Public Schools families spent the weekend trying to get ready for the first day of school on Monday when some parents still don’t know yet how their kids are going to get to school.
Lakeisha Burton said the beginning of a new school year is always stressful as her two kids head off to kindergarten and third grade at St. Louis Public Schools.
“It's been expensive. But like I said, I thank my higher power because I got people in my life that care about me and my kids,” Burton said.
That's why she's thankful for community events like the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis' back to school and job fair gathering.
“That's all we needed was the book bags. They already have everything else that they need. It's just the book bags. And I came across getting a job, utility assistance. So it all worked out for the best,” Burton said.
The Urban League also provided free haircuts, food and other assistance especially as parents face issues getting their kids to and from school.
“As a program that does serve, we're trying our best to figure out what it is that we can do to help support, whether it's our clients that's come to look for jobs, that just need gas cards and a vehicle to help, or bus tickets for those that are riding the bus, or whatever we can do to help. We're here to support and do as much as we can,” Save Our Sons and Sisters Regional Director Tydrell Stevens said.
Tracy Fantini, co-chair of SLPS Parent Action Council, said they've started a Facebook group called SLPS Families Carpool Connection because they are worried about kids not making it to school.
“We have to come together as parents to help each other, and I want to be an example of that for the kids, but you know, also, just for other parents to show a way that they can help,” Fantini said.
Fantini said she will also be volunteering at the Bartmer and Hamilton avenues school bus stop for the Adopt-a-Stop program. Volunteers can be identified at bus stops by their bright safety vests.
“We want to make sure that kids have a friendly, caring person who is able to look out for them as they get on and off the bus,” Fantini said.
They still need about 20 volunteers for the Adopt-a-Stop program. If you’d like to learn more, you can find that information here.
Parents can also join the carpool Facebook group here.