Parents taking advantage of the sales tax holiday to purchase school clothes and supplies at the Oaks Mall on Saturday, August 11 will also have an opportunity to pick up important school information.

Alachua County Public Schools will be holding a Back to School Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Dillard’s Court at the mall. Parents will have access to bus schedules, school calendars, meet your teacher/orientation dates, registration information, safety materials, and other useful school-related information. Representatives of the district will also be on hand to answer parents’ questions.

“Districts get so many requests for information from parents right before school starts,” said Jackie Johnson, the district’s public information officer. “We wanted to take that information out to parents ahead of time so they and their kids can get off to a good start this year.”

The Alachua County Health Department will also be part of this year’s Back to School Fair, providing free school immunizations. Children who will be entering an Alachua County school for the first time must have proof of immunization to register.

The Early Learning Coalition, the agency which coordinates the universal prekindergarten program in Alachua County, will also be on hand to register children for the program. Eligible parents can also sign up for Kid Care, the state’s low cost health insurance program for school aged children.

Other community organizations participating in the fair will be the Alachua County Council of PTA/PTSA, Safe Kids of North Central Florida and the United Way of North Central Florida’s Success by 6 program.

For more information about the Back to School Fair, contact the Alachua County Public Schools Public Information Office at 955-7253, ext. 228.