FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL INITIATIVE & FIRST DAY FESTIVAL HISTORY

History & Background

What Is First Day?
The First Day of School Initiative is a national campaign to generate widespread community support for schools, excitement about the beginning of another school year and is a celebration of education.
“First Day” initiative encourages parents to take their child to school on the first scheduled day. Employers are encouraged to support education by allowing employees time off (paid, unpaid, or flextime) to participate in activities at their children’s schools.

National First Day Initiative

In 1997, the First Day of School was initiated by Hemmings Motor News in Bennington, Vermont. Eleven schools participated. The mission and purpose of First Day of School is to celebrate education by hosting special activities and getting parents to come to school with their children on the first day.


History of Charleston’s First Day Festival

2003 1st Annual First Day Festival
The 1st annual First Day Festival was held on Sunday, August 10, 2003 at Joe Riley Stadium. The City of Charleston learned about the First Day of School Initiative from former Mayor of Nashville, TN, Bill Purcell, who encouraged the City of Charleston to sponsor this event to celebrate education and generate community support for education. Parents, students, and educators were invited for an afternoon of entertainment, free school supplies, and information about student support services. Over 4000 parents and children attended the First Day Festival at Joe Riley Stadium. The festival exhibitors focused on providing parents with information on student support services. Thirty-two community-based agencies and 18 school-based programs were on hand to talk to parents and distribute information. Employers were asked to support the initiative by giving employees time off to participate in activities at their child’s school. The Executive Director from the national organization attended the event and spent Monday visiting schools throughout Charleston County.

2004 2nd Annual First Day Festival
The First Day Festival, Sunday, August 8, 2004 moved to Liberty Square at the SC Aquarium and the U.S. Dept. of Interior National Parks Service and Charleston County School District joined as key partners. An estimated 5,000 parents and children were in attendance. More than 60 organizations participated as exhibitors providing information on student support services. Free schools supplies were distributed and new this year was the Food Court where free food and refreshments were given out. A major incentive to attend was an opportunity to visit the SC Aquarium for just $1.00. The success of the First Day Festival depended on leadership and an enormous organizational effort. Mayor Riley made First Day of School a highly visible priority for the City. The Mayor committed to giving City employees with children in the public schools, two hours off to take their child to school on their first day.

2005 3rd Annual First Day Festival
The First Day Festival 2005, Sunday, August 20th at Liberty Square at the SC Aquarium had an estimated 6,000 families and children in attendance. Mayor Riley initiated the First Day Business Honor Roll, recognizing businesses that committed to support the Festival or give time off for employees to take their child to school on the first day. The Mayor’s First Day Honor Roll included 36 businesses that committed to support the festival. A new feature added this year was free boat rides provided by Spirit Line Cruises, 840 families had the opportunity to cruise the harbor.

2006 4th Annual First Day Festival
In 2006, the fourth annual First Day Festival had one of its largest crowds with an estimated 7,000 children and families attending. The SC Aquarium opened its doors for a $1 admission fee and over 2,600 parents and children toured the Aquarium. Trident United Way’s Countdown to Kindergarten program and the Junior League of Charleston fingerprinting and child ID project were added to the Festival. Eighty nine exhibitors participated, 200 volunteers, and 31 businesses supported the festival and committed to give time off to employees to take their child to school on the first day. 720 families enjoyed a boat ride and tour of the harbor. An important aspect of the festival was the free school supplies that were given out to thousands of children.

2007 5th Annual First Day Festival
The 5th Annual First Day Festival was held on Sunday, August 19, 2007, drew over 7,500 parents and children to Liberty Square. There were 92 exhibitors who provided information on student support services. The SC Aquarium $1 admission drew 4,178 festival attendees. For a second year, the Junior League of Charleston and the Charleston Police Department partnered to fingerprint and ID over 300 children. Healthy food and snacks donated by 13 food vendors were available at the Food Court which was coordinated by the Lowcountry Food Bank. Boat Rides were provided to 680 people and the South Carolina Maritime Foundation provided free tours of the tall ship, Spirit of South Carolina. The Charleston Angler provided fishing activities for children and parents. The Cooper River Bridge Run donated 5000 backpacks that contained school supplies. The success of the Festival is attributed to the assistance and hard work of over 250 volunteers, numerous partners, and businesses committed to supporting education, students, and families through out the year.

2008 6th Annual First Day Festival
On Sunday, August 17, 2008, the community came together to celebrate the 6th annual First Day Festival. Over 9,000 families and children flocked to Liberty Square at the SC Aquarium and the Charleston Maritime Center. Exhibitors, volunteers, food court vendors, mascots, entertainers, and many others spent the day providing families with the information on student support services, handing out free school supplies, and healthy food and snacks. The SC Aquarium welcomed almost 4500 children and their families for a free tour. SpiritLine Cruises and the Charleston Harbor Tours gave 850 free boat rides around the Charleston Harbor. The 2008 Mayor’s Honor Roll included an impressive 106 businesses. New this year was a focus on reducing waste and going green which resulted in 2160 lbs of materials recycled. A First Day Festival logo contest was held to search for a new logo for the festival. Benjamin Ancrum, a rising freshman at Charleston Charter for Math and Science was the contest winner. His design incorporated the words “Celebrate a New Beginning” to symbolize the mission of the festival as well as his own family’s “new beginning” in Charleston. The 2008 First Day Festival was a tremendous success due to the commitments and contributions of the community in supporting our children and their education at the beginning of a new school year.

2009 7th Annual First Day Festival
On Sunday, August 16, 2009, the community came together to celebrate the 7th annual First Day Festival, the largest to date. Close to 10,000 children and their families flocked to Liberty Square at the SC Aquarium and the Charleston Maritime Center to welcome the beginning of the new school year. In addition to the continuing festival elements, there were three focus areas for the 2009 festival: reducing waste and going green, encouraging healthy lifestyles and wellness, and increasing business involvement in education.


Key Partnerships
The success of the First Day of School Initiative is the result of collaborative partnerships and extraordinary community support. Key partners provide financial, in-kind and volunteer support for the First Day Festival which allows the City to host this event at no cost to families and children. The community has embraced this initiative and established a model of public engagement in support of education.


The Benefits of the First Day of School Initiative
• The greatest benefit of the First Day of School Initiative for teachers is that when parents feel welcome starting on day one, they’re more likely to be allies instead of adversaries throughout the rest of the year.
• Parents, students, teachers and principals begin the year together on a positive note.
• Builds better parent/teacher relationships and offers opportunities to enlist families as partners.
• The First Day of School Initiative is an example of a successful public engagement activity that can occur on an ongoing basis to reconnect the community with our schools.


Why It Works?
• Parents begin the school year right, building better relationships with their children’s teachers.
• Parents feel supported by their employers.
• Parents would feel welcomed by the schools.
• Parents are more comfortable in their children’s schools.
• It generates widespread community support.

How you can get involved?
There are several ways to be a part of the First Day Festival Initiative.
• Become a business partner
• Register as an exhibitor
• Promote the First Day Festival
• Collect school supplies
• Provide healthy foods and snacks for the Food Court
• Sign up to volunteer.
• Get involved in our schools