ARLINGTON, VA — Hundreds of students and family members gathered at Claremont Immersion School on Friday for a back-to-school celebration organized by Arlington Public Schools, the Washington Wizards and the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.
Every student registered at Claremont received a backpack. Children in kindergarten through fourth grade received Wizards-branded backpacks filled with school supplies, while fifth-graders received Jordan Brand backpacks donated by Wizards forward Cam Whitmore, according to an APS news release. Teachers and other school employees also received backpacks, classroom supplies and additional resources.
The three-hour event included free books, lunch, frozen treats, haircuts and hairstyling. Families could sign up for Arlington Public Library cards and meet representatives of community organizations. Music, games, face painting, balloon artists and photo opportunities were also offered.
Claremont Principal Liza Aldana-Broughman said the Wizards contacted the school in mid-July and worked with administrators to plan the celebration.
"The Washington Wizards have kindly planned this event to support our school and our students," Aldana-Broughman told Patch, during an interview at the event. "Each student registered at Claremont is getting a backpack with school supplies."
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Wizards mascot G-Wiz, the Wizards Dancers and DJ Chalant appeared at the celebration, according to APS. Aldana-Broughman said games and activities were set up on the playground, while backpacks were distributed in the gym and barbers and hairstylists served students and families in the cafeteria.
The principal said the event provided families with practical assistance while giving the school community an opportunity to celebrate before the first day of classes.
"We want to make sure that sense of belonging and community is how we start the year," Aldana-Broughman said.
Superintendent Francisco Durán said the gathering demonstrated broader community support for Claremont families.
"This event is about more than backpacks and school supplies," Durán said in the release. "It is about showing our students and families that an entire community is invested in their success."
Claremont is a bilingual school with about 540 students, according to Aldana-Broughman. Approximately 40% of its students are English learners, and the school includes families from a range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Aldana-Broughman said the school earned distinguished accreditation following several years of work to improve students' academic and social-emotional development. Claremont uses the RULER approach to social-emotional learning and emphasizes family and community engagement, she said.
The school plans to offer more educational sessions for parents during the coming academic year and increase families' involvement in school activities, Aldana-Broughman said.
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Assistant Principal Erin Wales-Smith said access to school supplies and free haircuts could ease some of the pressure on parents balancing work and preparations for the new school year. She also credited students, families and teachers for the school's academic progress.
School Board member Moe Bryant said resources offered at the event — including food information, books, library access and student activities — were connected to APS' broader emphasis on family wellness and support.
"It is absolutely amazing that we are setting all of our children up for success," Bryant said. "We're kicking off the school year in a way that we celebrate all of our wins and making sure that there is a place always of belonging where students and families can come in and know that they are seen and supported."
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