By Kevin Aldridge
Enquirer staff writer

Dr. Terry Joyner (left), chief academic officer for Cincinnati Public Schools, helps fifth-grader Antica Taul (middle) and her sister, kindergartener Geronya Taul, both of Bond Hill, search through a pile of books Saturday at the back-to-school event in Corryville. Thomas E. Witte for The Enquirer

CORRYVILLE - A record 7,500 parents and students gathered at Cincinnati Public Schools Education Center on Saturday for the sixth annual Back to School/Ready to Learn Celebration.

The public-awareness event, launched by the school district and Cincinnati Parents for Public Schools, a parent advocacy group, was aimed at boosting student attendance on the first day of classes Aug. 25.

It was also an opportunity for parents and students to get information about the upcoming academic year and free school supplies.

"We're really looking to get back to that time when the first day of school was exciting for children. That's what we are trying to capture with this event," said Janet Walsh, the district's spokeswoman.

"This event is about having a strong start with good attendance from the very first day of school."

About a fourth of students enrolled in Cincinnati Public Schools didn't show up for the first day of classes a year ago, despite a similar back-to-school event.

Those figures prompted district officials to launch an awareness campaign that focused on improving attendance for the balance of the school year.

"The numbers for last year were disappointing," Walsh said. "That was a wake-up call for so many folks in the district."

Walsh said this year's event addressing last-minute barriers that might prevent students from making it to school on the first day. More than 20 booths offering information on immunizations, voter registration, enrollment, transportation, college access, food and other educational services were featured at the event.

There was also plenty of entertainment, drinks, hot dogs and potato chips. But Walsh said the biggest draw remained the free school supplies.

Hundreds of parents and students bunched together in a line in the education center's parking lot that snaked all the way out to Burnet Avenue.

Walsh said organizers had provided enough school supplies for 5,000 children.

"This is a good thing - giving out free supplies," said Charles Martin, 31, who brought his 10-year-old daughter Taylor to the event. "It's showing kids how important school is and it's showing parents the importance of making sure your kids get to school on the first day.

"When summer vacation is over, summer vacation is over," he said. "It's time to go back to school, flat out."

Nancy Fant and her 12-year-old daughter Nora, of Bond Hill, both said they learned a lot from all of the various information booths.

"It's good to have this because most people wouldn't go down to the board of education to get this kind of information," said Nora, clutching a plastic bag filled with school supplies.

Added her mother, Nancy: "Education is very important in my household. I had to go to school, so my babies and grandbabies have to go to school. We don't play."

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com