Welcome back, Badgers!
We hope you’ve had a fantastic summer filled with family, friends, and fun. As the new school year approaches, there’s an exciting buzz in the air—Fall and the thrill of a fresh start are just around the corner.
This year, we were thrilled to once again host our Lil’ Badger Bash and Backpack Giveaway event. Welcoming our new and returning student families to campus and celebrating the beginning of a new academic year is a tradition we cherish. It’s a special time to connect, celebrate, and enjoy a variety of activities together.
One of the highlights every year is seeing the children’s excitement as they pick out their new backpacks filled with an array of school supplies. There’s something magical about exploring sharpened, colorful pencils, new markers, notebooks, and folders—tools that spark creativity and aid in learning.
We were excited to have more than 40 CCTAP students and their families join us for the event, where we distributed over 60 backpacks stuffed with new school supplies. The evening was filled with joy and fellowship as we gathered for dinner in the University Apartments Community Center gym. Children played with Bucky and had their faces painted while parents enjoyed a buffet dinner and socialized with their peers. It was a wonderful opportunity for parenting students to meet each other and connect with the OCCFR team.
A strong start to the school year makes all the difference. We hope that UW’s parenting students feel supported and enthusiastic for the academic year to come, and that the children enjoy their new supplies. We’re excited for our students, parents and children alike, as they embark on another year of learning, exploring, and discovering the world with their friends and teachers. Here’s to a wonderful school year ahead. On, Wisconsin!
Warmly,
Cigdem Unal, Barb Douglas, Lucy Eidson, Jaime Kenowski, and Perri Moran
Office of Child Care and Family Resources
The OCCFR team: Lucy, Jaime, Barb, Cigdem and Perri (& Bucky!)
Photos courtesy of Perri Moran