LUMBERTON, NC (WBTW) – Back to School season is in full swing in Robeson County. Thousands of students and their parents visited the Southeastern Agricultural Center on Thursday for the annual Back to School Celebration. 

The event ran from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Forty schools had booths set up where students and parents could get information and meet the teachers and faculty. Students were also given healthy snacks and free backpacks and school supplies. Dr. Tara Bullard, principal of Rowland Norment Elementary School, says it’s important to offer those supplies for free to give every student the same opportunities to learn and succeed. 

“Majority of the students that live in this district come from low-income families. So something like this is something we need to do every year because it takes that pressure off of families to have to provide the school supplies because school supplies are expensive. It gives everybody that equal footing to start off the school year,” she said. 

Another goal of the event is to help students adjust and be comfortable with their teachers and classmates before the school year begins. Educators say that can alleviate some of the anxiety that some students face on the first day of school. 

News13 also spoke with students Aneliea, Dalayla and Elayjah Thompson who told us they are looking forward to going back to school and getting good grades. They were also excited about their brand new school supplies and backpacks for free. 

“Nothing beats the excitement on a child’s face when they’re getting their book bag and their school supplies for the first time,” said Dr. Bullard. 

Students and faculty say they’re looking forward to a great school year together. 

“They are excited and it lets them know that we are excited for a new school year and turn a new page. And whatever happened last year, this is going to be a better year,” said John Campbell, Vice Chairman of the Public Schools of Robeson County School Board. 

An estimated 10,000 people attend the Back to School Celebration each year. The first day of school is Monday, August 27.