School will resume for Tampa Bay students in early to mid-August. Here are 15 events that aim to help ease the transition.
Pinellas Back to School Clinics: Students in need in grades K-12 can get free school/sports physicals, vision/hearing screenings and immunizations. Parents or legal guardians must be present and bring proof of current vaccinations and medical history. It also takes place at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport, Pinellas Park High School in Largo, and Largo High School in Largo. Free. From 8:00 to 14:00 on certain days, by appointment only until August 8. Request an appointment. Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. S, Saint Petersburg. 727-824-6900, ext. 4.
Pinellas, Hillsborough and Hernando counties offer free physicals and vaccinations at select locations. [ PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP | Getty Images North America ]
Hillsborough Back-to-School Health Clinics: Hillsborough County students in grades K-12 can receive free vaccinations, school physicals and COVID vaccines (ages 5-17 for the COVID vaccine only ). Registration is required back2schoolhealthclinic.org. Free.
9 am-1 pm July 9. Ed and Myrtle Lou Swindle Medical Arts Center, 1601 W Timberland Drive, Plant City.9 am-1 pm July 9. Lennard High School, 2342 Shell Point Road E, Ruskin.9 am-1 pm July 16. Blake High School, 1701 North Blvd., Tampa.9 am-1 pm July 23. Bailey Elementary School, 4630 Gallagher Road, Dover.9 am-1 pm July 30. Middleton High School, 4801 N 22nd St., Tampa.9 am-1 pm July 30. Bowers/Whitley Career Center, 13609 N 22nd St., Tampa.09:00-13:00 August 6. South University, 4401 N Himes Ave., Tampa.
Hernando Back to School Health Clinic: Free immunizations and physicals for Hernando County school students. It also includes food, prizes and backpacks with school supplies. Free. 9 am to noon July 23. Crosspoint Church, 2440 Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill. 352-592-7188.
School Supply Drive: East Lake Community Library partners with Haven of RCS to help young victims of domestic violence start the school year with new backpacks, lunch bags, writing instruments, notebooks, notebooks, paper, rulers, glue sticks, colored pencils, snacks, etc. Bring your donations to the library from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday through August 5 and drop them off in the designated box. East Lake Community Library, 4125 East Lake Road S, Palm Harbor. 727-773-2665.
Back to School Block Party – A block party-style back-to-school celebration with free resources, food, games, and school supplies. Free. 11:00-14:00 July 23. Perry Harvey, Mr. Park, 1201 N Orange St., Tampa.
Back to School Community Outreach: The second annual back to school event features face painting, bounce houses and backpacks filled with school supplies. Free. 1-4 pm July 23. Perfecting Truth Ministries, 10615 Riverview Drive, Riverview. 813-415-8410.
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Explore all your optionsThe state of Florida will offer a sales tax holiday on back-to-school items from July 25th to August 7th. PHOTO BY: STEPHEN J. CODDINGTON | FOR THE TIMES Photo credit: Stephen J. Coddington [ STEPHEN J. CODDINGTON ]
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday: All area retailers are offering tax-free shopping to get families ready for back-to-school. The tax should not be imposed on the sale of clothing, footwear, school supplies, learning materials, puzzles, personal computers and certain computer accessories. Price restrictions apply to all items. The sales tax holiday runs from July 25 to August 7.
Open House and Back to School Expo: Families can visit local exhibitors who provide information on school resources such as before/after school activities, health, wellness, safety and more. Children will enjoy hands-on activities and games. The first 200 school-aged children will receive a free backpack and school supplies. Free. 6-8 p.m. July 28. MLK, Jr. Recreation Centre, 550 Laura Lane, Dunedin. 727-738-2920.
Back to School: K-9th graders can attend to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies and a physical exam. Free. 11 a.m. July 29. Event location, 7454 Palm River Road, Tampa. 813-628-9179.
Back to School: Join the fun with water games, food and school supplies. Donations are appreciated. 10 am to noon July 30. Seffner First United Methodist Church, 1310 S Kingsway Road, Seffner. 813-689-3513.
Future Billionaire Back 2 School Bash: Free eye exams and glasses for kids ages 5-17. The first 100 children to complete the scavenger hunt will receive a free backpack full of school supplies. Adults who need work can get help applying for local jobs. Free. 11 am-1 pm July 30. The Resource Empowerment Center, 9309 N Florida Ave., Tampa. 727-755-8112.
Florida Penguin’s Back to School Bash: This back-to-school event features children’s activities, local family services, an interactive scavenger hunt, sports mascots, artists and a large business expo featuring dozens of businesses providing services for extracurricular programs, clubs, tutoring and health care. Free (registration required for the scavenger hunt). 11:00-16:00 July 31. Brandon Westfield Town Center Mall, 459 Brandon Town Center, Brandon. 727-674-1464.
Numerous area organizations offer ways for students to get free backpacks filled with school supplies. [ ARIELLE BADER | Times ]
Ayr’Reka Angels Back to School: Students can get ready to go back to school with free haircuts and braids, HIV testing, health screenings, notary services, school supplies and a blood drive . Free. Noon-5pm August 6. Event location, 6503 N 15th St., Tampa. 813-454-5374.
Back to School Pub Crawl: Parents can dress up as a nerd, schoolgirl, football player or teacher to party at this Ybor City crawl with a costume contest, raffle , collection of school supplies and a concentration of animation. $25. 5 p.m. August 13. James Joyce Irish Pub, 1724 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. 813-247-1896.
