Back-to-School Countdown: Essential supplies and dates for central Illinois students

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - School bells will soon be ringing again! Get ready by grabbing your pencils and notebooks at one of the school supply drives listed below. WAND has compiled a list of school starting dates and supply drives happening across central Illinois.

Supply Drives/Important Events

Macon County Health Department Back to School Events

When: Various events from July 30th to August 23rd
Where: Macon County Health Department, 1221 E. Condit St., Decatur, IL
Features: Essential vaccinations, lead testing, dental screenings and physicals for Macon County students. More details can be found in WAND's more in depth article.

Pack the Bus Supply Drive and Open House

When: Pack the Bus on Friday, July 18, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., open house/registration event on Saturday, July 19, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Pack the Bus at Forsyth Park, Forsyth, IL, next to the tennis courts, open house/registration event at 1130 Hickory Point Mall, Forsyth, IL
Features: Hosted by Sunshine Supplies for Teachers, collecting donations to pack a school bus full of school supplies for local teachers, open house event on Saturday for teachers to see what the organization is about, register for memberships and enter giveaways, offering coffee and donuts

Decatur Family YMCA Backpack Attack

When: Saturday, August 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Backpacks available for pickup at 3 locations - Decatur Family YMCA, John's Hill Magnet School (Drive-up location), and the Macon County Health Department
Features: 2,000 school supply-filled backpacks will be handed out to students entering kindergarten through 6th grade. Students should be present to pick out their backpacks.

MOMs Back to School CARnival and Backpack/Supply Giveaway

When: Sunday, Aug. 3, from 4-7 p.m.
Where: Dupo American Legion Post #485, 200 South 5th Street, Dupo, IL
Features: Backpack giveaway trunk or treat style for local students while supplies last, carnival games, prizes, free food, drinks and music

Promise Healthcare Back to School Health Fair

When: Friday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 424 Wabash Avenue, Rantoul, IL
Features: School and sports physicals, health fair, 600+ backpack/supply giveaways, live music, face painting

Verizon "School Rocks Backpack Giveaway"

When: Sunday, July 27, starting at 1 p.m.
Where: Various locations across Central Illinois
Features: $3 million worth of free backpacks will be given out to families who need them.

Laketown Elementary School Supply Drive

When: Donations can be dropped off until August 15, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Sangamon County Courthouse Lobby, 200 S. 9th St., Springfield, IL
Features: Supply donations can be dropped off for Laketown Elementary School teachers and students to ensure they have the essential supplies they need to start the school year

Salvation Army Stuff the Bus

When: August 15 from 1-8 p.m.
Where: MtZ Area Walmart Store near the airport, 4625 E. Maryland Street, Decatur, IL
Features: The Salvation Army of Decatur & Macon County and Walmart are teaming up to collect school supply donations for area children. Volunteers will share a list of items that the community can shop for and donate.

School Start Dates

Macon County

Decatur Public Schools District - Wednesday, August 13
St. Teresa High School - Monday, August 18
Meridian CUSD - Tuesday, August 19
Mt. Zion CUSD - Friday, August 15
Maroa-Forsyth CUSD - Middle School and High School start Monday, August 18; Kindergarten starts Tuesday, August 19 and Wednesday, August 20
Argenta-Oreana CUSD - Wednesday, August 20
Sangamon Valley CUSD - Friday, August 15
Warrensburg-Latham CUSD - Thursday, August 14

Champaign County

Champaign CUSD - Grades K-6 and Grade 9 start Tuesday, August 12; K-12 start Wednesday, August 13
Fisher CUSD - Wednesday, August 13
Gifford CCSD - Thursday, August 14
Mahomet-Seymour CUSD - Wednesday, August 13
Prairieview-Ogden CCSD - Thursday, August 14
Rantoul City School District - Grades 1-8 and Kindergarten (last names A-L) start Monday, August 18; PreK and Kindergarten (last names M-Z) start Tuesday, August 19
Rantoul Township High School - Monday, August 18
St. Joseph CCSD - Thursday, August 14
St. Joseph-Ogden High School - Thursday, August 14
Thomasboro CCSD - Friday, July 25
Tolono CUSD - Grades 1-12 start Tuesday, August 12; Kindergarten starts Thursday, August 14
Urbana School District - Grades 1-9, half of Kindergarten classes start Monday, August 18; Grades 1-12, second half of Kindergarten classes start Tuesday, August 19

Sangamon County

Ball-Chatham CUSD - K-12 starts Wednesday, August 13; Pre-K starts Monday, August 18
Rochester CUSD - Thursday, August 14
Williamsville-Sherman CUSD - Thursday, August 14; Pre-K Wednesday, August 20
Pleasant Plains CUSD - Monday, August 18
Springfield School District - Monday, August 18
Riverton CUSD - Tuesday, August 12
Pawnee CUSD - Wednesday, August 13
Auburn CUSD - Thursday, August 14
New Berlin CUSD - Thursday, August 14
Tri-City CUSD - Friday, August 15

Moultrie County

Sullivan CUSD - Wednesday, August 13
Okaw Valley CUSD - Tuesday, August 12

Piatt County

Bement CUSD - Thursday, August 14
Cerro Gordo CUSD - Thursday, August 14
DeLand-Weldon CUSD - Friday, August 15
Monticello CUSD - Wednesday, August 13

Coles County

Mattoon CUSD - Grades 1-12 start Tuesday, August 12; Kindergarten starts Wednesday, August 13
Oakland CUSD - Tuesday, August 12
Charleston CUSD - Tuesday, August 12

Cumberland County