Submitted by TOGETHER!
Tumwater School District students got free back-to-school help on August 18. The “Back-to- Basics Community Event,” hosted by TOGETHER! and Tumwater School District, offered no-cost immunizations and sports physicals, access to community health services and more. The goal was to eliminate barriers, increase school engagement, and provide additional access for families’ health care needs prior to the start of the year.This truly was a community effort to meet the health needs of our community.
The event, which took place at Tumwater Middle School, was a success due in part to the over 70 community, medical and school district volunteers. Over 200 families attended the event. Thurston County Medical Reserve Corps administered 50 no-cost immunizations to 30 pre-school through 12th grade students. 219 middle and high school students were able to access no-cost sports physicals through a variety of volunteer medical providers. Families could access the DSHS Mobile Community Service Office to update food benefits and learn about potential services. SeaMar Community Health Center’s community navigator answered questions about insurance access.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Thurston County provided healthy snacks, and Tumwater School District staff were on hand to answer backto-school questions. Thank you to our additional partners: Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, Surgical Associates, Thurston Country Public Health and Social Services, Providence Tumwater Valley Physical Therapy, Providence Family Practice, and DZines.
With these services completed, Tumwater students are ready to engage in learning on the first day of school.
Tumwater School District works with TOGETHER! to implement a community schools approach in their district, which increases student engagement and community/school partnerships.
The program is funded by the school district and the Community Investment Partnership. TOGETHER! is a local nonprofit organization that engages and mobilizes families, schools and the community to advance the health, safety and success of our youth. Learn more at www.thurstontogether.org.
