‘It’s all about service and love for our people today’: RPS welcomes families at Summer Fest ahead of school year

Aug 2, 2025 - 18:25

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‘It’s all about service and love for our people today’: RPS welcomes families at Summer Fest ahead of school year

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Richmond City Public Schools (RPS) welcomed students and families back on Saturday during its back-to-school celebration this year.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, RPS Summer Fest and the 17th annual citywide back-to-school rally were held at John Marshall High School, located at 4225 Old Brook Road.

The event provided resources to RPS students and families, along with their partners at Northside Coalition for Children, Inc., including real-time support with enrollment, community partner offerings, vendors and more.

Shonda Harris-Muhammed, a member of the Richmond School Board, said this marks the second collaborative event between the two partners and the fifth year for RPS Summer Fest. The event provides school supplies in backpacks, hot meals and over 100 vendors.

Back to School Guide for Richmond Public Schools

Some community partners include the Northside YMCA, the NAACP and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), according to Harris-Muhammed.

"We have a plethora of people here to support our students and their families to a great school year," Harris-Muhammed said. "It's important because our students need to be prepared."

"I was one of those students who grew up in trauma, who always did not have what they should have growing up. It's been my mission -- I'm intentional -- about living out the story and my testimony to make sure -- not only as an educator but also as a public servant to make sure that our students are well cared for. It's important because they need us to make sure that they have what they need." Shonda Harris-Muhammed, Richmond School Board member

They counted down the days until the new school year, with the first day of school arriving in a little over two weeks for students -- Monday, Aug. 18 for students in preschool, kindergarten, grades 1 through 5 and grades 6 and 9 and Tuesday, Aug. 19, for students in grades 10 through 12.

"It's all about service and love for our people today," Harris-Muhammed said.

Continue scrolling to see photos from RPS Summer Fest.