ASHLAND — Eager elementary students packed into the gymnasium at Reagan Elementary School last week, each awaiting a free haircut just before the start of the school year.
Reagan Elementary School’s Back to School event was to help smooth the transition from summer vacation to the new school year for both students and parents by offering free hair cuts to elementary students in grades K-3.
Those who attended enjoyed an expense-free meal, along with other goodies, including a new back-to-school outfit and school supplies.
Reagan Elementary School Principal Nicole Brodie said sending a child back to school can be an intimidating time for families.
“Back-to-school time tends to be stressful,” Brodie said. “I just want to support those families, I’m kind of a big dreamer.”
Last year, Brodie worked with the owner of Z’s Hair Designs in Ashland. With four stylists on their side, they gave free hair cuts away to around 50 students during last year’s event.
This year, Brodie recruited Drew Meziere, pastor at Garber Brethren Church in Ashland, to provide the students with more that just haircuts. The church and congregation gave students a meal, an outfit and bookbags with school supplies.
“It definitely grew exponentially this year and that was only possible with all of the collaboration that took place,” Brodie said. “It all just kind of fell into place.
It was great to see how our community just comes together to support our kiddos,” she said.
This year’s event featured 17 stylists from six salons. They also offered hair cuts to students who didn’t attend Reagan Elementary specifically.
“After I saw how much support that we had, I definitely wanted to make it available to Ashland City Schools, kindergarten through third,” Brodie said. “I knew that what we had was able to reach those families.”
There is chance that next year’s event may take place on Main Street in Ashland.
