August 8, 2025

Successful Back-to-School Expo Held in Costa Mesa

News Summary

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District hosted a back-to-school expo in Costa Mesa, attracting around 2,000 students and families. Collaborating with local organizations, the event provided essential supplies, healthcare services, and fun activities, ensuring students are well-prepared for the upcoming academic year. The expo highlighted community support and resources available for students, signaling a strong commitment to educational success.

Costa Mesa – The Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) hosted a successful back-to-school expo on Saturday, attracting approximately 2,000 students and their families in preparation for the upcoming academic year that begins on August 18.

The event took place outside IKEA in Costa Mesa and was a collaboration between NMUSD and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast. Local vendors and community groups came together to offer essential services including free haircuts, shoes, hygiene kits, and backpacks filled with school supplies to ensure students start the school year well-equipped.

In addition to school supplies, the expo featured various offerings such as free food, basic healthcare, and housing services, aimed at supporting the overall needs of students to help them transition smoothly into the new school year. Organizations, including Share Ourselves and the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living, provided critical medical and mental health services during the event.

Dignitaries at the event expressed gratitude for the numerous partners involved, citing the collaboration as a crucial aspect in supporting local youth. The expo also included fun activities, such as raffles for bike helmets and skateboards, face painting, and balloon animals, further enhancing the family-friendly atmosphere.

Kristle Duran, the chief operations officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, highlighted the event’s emphasis on community impact, stating that the collaboration demonstrated a strong commitment to assist children in preparing for the new school year. This initiative reflects the clubs’ ongoing efforts to provide after-school enrichment and programming, particularly for students from Costa Mesa’s west side.

Duran noted that this year’s event was a significant success, marking the best operation in the last four years of hosting the expo. The overwhelming turnout and community support showcased the dedication to ensuring that children and families are well-prepared for school.

In summary, the back-to-school expo underscored the importance of community initiatives in fostering educational success. With thousands attending, NMUSD and the Boys & Girls Clubs managed to create a resource-rich environment that addressed both practical needs and provided a sense of enjoyment and engagement among local families.

As the new academic year approaches, the expo serves as a reminder of the resources available to students and the continuous support from the community, ensuring that all children have the tools necessary to succeed in their educational journeys.