Santa Monica students got a head start to the new school year on Tuesday evening with the annual Back to School event run by the local Police Activities League (PAL).
A few hundred students in grades 1-12 showed up to Memorial Park to collect school supplies, sign up for fall enrichment classes, and meet and greet staff and Santa Monica police officers.
“This is a one-night-only event that happens once a year,” said Thorin Allen, president of the Police Activities League. “This is one of many events that we do for the community. These events are designed specially for the youth of our community.”
Allen feels it’s a great way to start the school year.
“This is a wonderful event,” he said. “It helps kids in the community start the year off with all the right tools they need.”
Supplies were donated by Blue Cross and Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica.