Ritenour’s Black & Orange Back-to-School Resource Fair Combines Husky Pride & Community Support
More than 2,000 Ritenour families, students, staff and community members filled Ritenour High School on Aug. 15 for the district’s Black & Orange Back-to-School Resource Fair, an event that combined the traditions of Black & Orange Day spirit activities with critical resources so students could start the new school year strong.
The fair was held in conjunction with the district’s annual back-to-school immunization clinic. Nurses with Husky Health Center’s new partner, IFM Medicine, provided school-required immunizations to Ritenour students.
During the three-hour fair, students and their families visited 43 booths staffed by community partners representing mental health, medical care, social services, youth organizations and Ritenour-specific programs. Families also received school supplies, backpacks and information to help them prepare for a strong start to the academic year.
In addition to the school supplies and resource booths, Hoech and Ritenour middle schools handed out free clear backpacks as part of this year’s new safety procedures for grades 6-8.
Outside the resource fair, Black & Orange Day brought even more Husky energy to the celebration. RHS student leadership organizations led activities outside the school while PTO booths welcomed families and added to the festivities. The RHS Marching Huskies, cheerleaders and Rhythemettes energized the crowd with performances, and inside the gym, RHS basketball players took the court for scrimmages. Together, the activities turned the morning into more than a resource fair. It was a celebration of Ritenour students, schools and the community that supports them.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Kilbride said the combination of community support and Husky Pride made the morning especially meaningful.
“The level of Husky Pride was palpable throughout the morning,” Kilbride said. “There are events that remind us why we are here, at this time and in this place, doing work that can lift up an entire community. August 15th was one of those days.
“From our students who brought incredible energy to Black & Orange Day to our staff, PTOs, community partners and families who filled Ritenour High School, this was Ritenour at its best. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make the day such a powerful start to the new school year.”
School Supplies, Backpacks & New Clothing Donations
The event was bolstered by the generosity of several organizations that donated thousands of school supply items and hundreds of backpacks to students, thanks to donation drives they held at their own businesses. Additionally, the Assistance League of St. Louis donated new clothing.
- Avantor
- Classic Air Care
- Olivet University
- PennyMac
- SSM Health DePaul Hospital
- SSM Health Community Health & Healing Program
- Waypoint Church Overland
Health & Wellness Resource Booths
- Annie’s Hope
- Partners In-Kind
- PreventEd
- Soothing Souls Therapeutic Services, LLC
- SSM Health Community Health & Healing Program
- SSM Saint Louis University Hospital
- St. Louis Children’s Hospital Healthy Kids Express
- Youth In Need
Community Support Resource Booths
- Adams Academic Solutions
- BluePrint 4 Success
- Citizens for Ritenour’s Future
- Coldwell Banker/CBP Homes
- Community Fire Protection District
- Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program
- Regions Bank
- Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry
- Ritenour Kiwanis
- St. Louis County Library
Children/Family Organizations - Resources & Activities
- Capable Kids and Families/St. Louis Arc
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
- MPACT/We Rock the Spectrum
- Presentation Arts Center
- Scouting America
- St. Louis County LEPC
- The Magic House
Ritenour Support Resources
- Kelly Education
- Mid-County YMCA Club
- Ritenour Board of Education
- Ritenour Child Nutrition Department
- Ritenour Communications and Community Services
- Ritenour Pride & Promise Foundation
- Ritenour School for Early Childhood Education
- Ritenour Student Services and Information Technology
- Ritenour Transportation