Get ready, families in the Garner, Clayton, and Smithfield areas! The countdown has begun, and the first day of school for your kids is just around the corner. Sending kids back to school after a long break can be filled with a mix of emotions for both parents and students. This guide and the articles linked can help ease the transition for everyone.
Your school's website is an essential resource for everything you'll need throughout the year. I recommend bookmarking both the district website and the individual school pages for quick and easy access. These sites are filled with valuable information including school calendars, holidays, menus, and extracurricular classes and activities. You'll also find opportunities to support parent organizations and ways to volunteer.
- Johnston County Public Schools:
- First Day: August 25; Kindergarten has a staggered entry on 27th & 28th with 29th being first full day. ECA/CTLA students begin on August 11. Check with your individual school for Open Houses. Get to calendars here.
- Nash County Public Schools:
- Wake County Public Schools:
- First Day: August 25 [traditional], July 22 [modified], July 7 [year round tracks 1-3], July 28 [year round track 4], August 5 [Knightdale High & Early Colleges], August 6 [Leadership Academies]. Check with your individual school for Open Houses. Get to calendars here.
- Johnston Charter Academy:
- First Day: August 21. Open house August 18. Get to calendar here.
- American Leadership Academy:
- First Day: August 4. Get to calendar here.
- Neuse Charter School:
- First Day: August 12. Get to calendar here.
- Lifespring Academy:
- First Day: August 25. Get to calendar here.
- Cardinal Charter Academy at Wendell Falls:
- First Day: August 18. Get to calendar here.
- Southside Christian School:
- First Day: August 12. Open house is August 11 (ES- morning, US-afternoon). Get to calendar here.
- Oak City Academy:
- First Day: August 18. Staggered start for PK, TK, FT K-5 on August 14 & 15. Parent Orientation is August 4. Meet the Teacher is August 12. Get to calendar here.
- East Wake Academy:
- First Day: July 28. Kindergarten staggered entry July 28-30. Get to calendar here.
- Star Christian Academy:
- First Day: September 2. Get to calendar here.
Volunteer with Your Child's School
Think outside the box for ways to help at school if you can't help during the day. These five ideas will get you started:
- Ask your child's teacher about classroom supplies needed for the year -especially during cold/flu season!
- Send food for parties and teacher appreciation lunches.
- Participate in school fundraisers. Take your child around the neighborhood or check with coworkers about items your child is selling.
- Offer to make name tags, labels, to cut patterns at home, etc.
- Offer to help with big projects at your child's school that take place in the evening. The local PTA is always happy to have extra hands, especially during big events!
Help your child have a great year by getting involved in your child's school. Encourage your child's learning, both in and out of the classroom. Support your child's school and show your child that education is important. Talk to your child's teacher or the volunteer coordinator for more suggestions.
Giveaway: Backpacks & Water Bottles |
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Macaroni KID Garner-Clayton-Smithfield has partnered up with local business, Kid to Kid Garner, to give away 2 backpacks full of supplies and an insulated stainless steel TheroFlask water bottle! Entries open until 10pm EST on Sunday, August 10th.
👉Learn how to enter
August 2nd
🏫 Back 2 School Clothing/Supplies Drive (Benson)
🏫 Back to School Bash (Benson)
🏫 Back 2 School Clothes Closet & Supply Giveaway (Dunn)
August 9th & 10th
🏫 Free Clothing Giveaway (Selma)
🏫 Back to School Bash (Smithfield)
🏫 Back to School Bash (Smithfield)
🏫 8th Annual Back to School Giveaway (Smithfield)
🏫 Back to School Bash (Zebulon)
🏫 Back to School Youth Explosion (Clayton)
August 16th
🏫 Back to School Youth Encounter (Clayton)
🏫 Back to School Free Market (Clayton)
🏫School Supply Giveaway & Fun Day (Benson)
🏫 Back to School Drive-Thru Supplies Distribution (Benson)
🏫 Back 2 School Outreach (Selma)
🏫 Back 2 School Giveaway Event (Selma)
🏫 Back to School Extravaganza (Smithfield)
🏫Free Haircuts @ Kirby's Precision Cuts
Know of a community back-to-school event that's missing?
Add it to our Macaroni KID Garner-Clayton-Smithfield calendar!
https://clayton.macaronikid.com/events/submit
 by RainerPlendl from Getty Images |
Looking for a great spot for a back-to-school haircut? Here are a few local stylists offering back-to-school haircut specials!
- Ashley Alarcon @ Arabella Salon & Spa: In August, kids haircuts (12 & under): $10, kids haircuts (13 & up): $15, free kids haircut with any adult cut. Teacher's special: $30 off any color service, $15 off haircuts. Text/call Ashely at 806-349-3006.
- Colleen West: She will come to your home for haircuts in Clayton, Wendell, Knightdale, Garner, and Zebulon. Mention this back-to-school guide to get $5 off a $20 haircut! Email colleenfwest90@gmail.com to set up an appointment.
- Katie Amerson @ Homestead Salon: In August, all school-aged kid's haircuts are $10. Text for your appointment: 252-308-8632.
- Morgan Durham @ Salon42: Kids haircuts (K-8th): $20, with shampoo: $30, Teacher haircuts (with ID): $35, with shampoo & blowout: $45. Schedule your appointment here.
- Glen's Barber Shop: Sat. August 16, 10am-12pm. Free haircuts for simple, even cuts. $5 for more intricate cuts. There will also be some free school supplies!
Know of a local back-to-school haircut event or stylist offering a special?
Email sallyj@macaronikid.com with the details and I'll get it added!
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There are the big box stores in the area, of course, but you can also support locally-owned businesses when doing your back-to-school clothes shopping! Here's some great places in the Garner-Clayton-Smithfield areas:
- Kid 2 Kid Garner: 2690 Timber Dr, Garner
- Selling gently used clothing, shoes, uniforms, and backpacks. Also have super affordable new water bottles & backpacks!
- Boomerang Kids: 11635 Clayton Blvd. Clayton
- Selling specialty children’s items along with gently used items
- Grace & Grit: 121 East Main Street, Benson
- Back to School themed clothing and accessories
- Kaitlyn's Consignment: virtual sales with pickup in Smithfield | Benson or Shipping Available; store opening end of August
- 3 Little Birds: 225 East Main Street, Clayton
- Boutique Clothing & Accessories and more in-store & online!
- Lilypads Boutique & Consignment: 1121 W Broad St, Dunn
- Children's Boutique and gently used consignment Store
- JCI Thrift Store: 912 North Brightleaf Blvd, Smithfield
- Used children's clothes and more
- Garner Area Ministries Thrift Store: 558 -562 Village Ct, Garner
- Used children's clothes and more
- Carolina Kids Consignment: 520 County Home Rd, Smithfield
- Seasonal consignment event held twice a year. Next sale: October 9-12
- Seasonal consignment event held twice a year. Next sale: October 9-12
Have a favorite locally owned spot for back-to-school shopping you don't see listed here?
Email sallyj@macaronikid.com, and I'll get it added!
After a long or not long enough summer depending on your perspective - it's not so easy to switch gears to send kids off to school. Truth be told it's not always easy for the kids either. Take a look below and I'm sure you will find one or many of these articles helpful to transition your kids into "Back to School" mode. Especially if they are heading off to school for the first time or the other firsts like a new school.
7 Practical Ways To Prepare Your Child For Pre-K and Kindergarten
7 Tips to Prepare Your Child for Middle School
Senior Year Sticker Shock: Buckle Up for These 6 Expenses
Help Kids Stay Organized This School Year
5 Teacher-Approved Tips to Make Back-to-School Time Great
🤗 For Students that Need Extra TLC
Helping Your Child with Special Needs Get Ready For Back to School
10 Books to Ease Back to School Fears
Coping with Back to School Anxiety
Back-to-School Tips for Students Who Need Extra Support
Help your kids get ready for the new school year by planning ahead. Register online and read all of the information available on the school's website. These five additional tips will help make the school year easier for the entire family:
- Spend the last week before school begins with earlier bedtimes and earlier wake-up times so your child will be ready on the first day of school.
- Encourage your child to read at least 15 minutes each day. Even better, spend time reading together as a family.
- Help your child set goals for the new school year and set up a study center stocked with all of the supplies your child will need.
- Limit electronics during the week and encourage your child to study even when there's no homework.
- Stay in touch with your child's teacher and attend events held at school. Volunteer in your child's classroom if possible this year.
Before you send them out the door don't forget those "First Day of School" photos! These "Free Printables" will make your photos just a little more special:
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Have a great school year and let Macaroni KID Garner-Clayton-Smithfield help you Find Your Family Fun® throughout the school year!
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