GETTING READY — Annie Silverthorn, right, principal of Toronto Elementary School, presented a Toronto Red Knights book bag to Raylenn Barnhart, a first-grader at the school and one of many local students who attended Toronto City Schools’ Back to School Bash on Monday. Barnhart was accompanied by her grandmother, Holly Smith. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — With the help of many, Toronto school officials helped the local school district’s youth to prepare for the new school year in a fun way.

Held Monday evening outside Toronto Junior-Senior High School, Toronto City Schools’ third annual Back to School Bash looked and sounded much like a street fair, with balloon animals, bounce houses and food trucks selling their specialties.

But amid those features were tables and booths where students and their families could stock up on book bags, notebooks and other school supplies and learn more about services and information relevant to them.

Among the many booths was one manned by members of the Jefferson County Juvenile Task Force, a group of local agencies that work together to bring, to area schools, speakers on topics affecting youth.

Jamie Dent, a Jefferson County juvenile probation officer with the group, said the next program will cover mental health and the importance of making good decisions.

AIMING HIGH — Miranda Maxwell, a 10th grader at Toronto High School, hoped to hit the target and cause a bucket of water to pour onto the head of Olaya Cuervo, the school’s Spanish instructor, during Toronto City Schools’ Back to School Bash Monday. -- Warren Scott

She said the program also will be available to parents and other adults who care for youth from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Seven Ranges Entertainment.

Dent said it’s the third year the task force has collaborated with the Steubenville business for such an event, and youth will receive some free game time while also hearing from a speaker during the program.

Near the task force’s booth was the Jefferson County Health Department’s mobile clinic, which on Monday was outfitted to resemble the bedroom of a teen involved with substance or alcohol abuse.

Dent explained the interactive display’s theme was “Hidden in Plain Sight,” with objects that could serve as red flags to parents that their children are using illegal drugs.

Also on hand were Katie Long, the school district’s head nurse; and Cara Walter, associate nurse; who shared details about dental treatments available to Toronto students on Oct. 7-9 and April 14-16.

Performed by Ohio Dental Outreach, the services may include cleanings, X-rays and restorative care and are paid for by a family’s insurance provider or on a sliding scale if needed.

“It will be the second year for it. A lot of our students participated last year,” said Long, who noted it allows parents to arrange dental treatments for their children without having to pull them from school.

Appointments for the treatments should be made by Oct. 1 and may be made by visiting myschooldentist.com, calling (800) 409-2563 or obtaining a permission form from the nurses.

Many other booths were manned by representatives of local businesses, churches and youth programs, while drawings were held for gift baskets and other prizes.

Mark Ferrell, the school district’s athletic director, could be found selling Toronto Red Knights memorabilia and sharing season schedules for the school’s various fall sports.

Rich Coburn, Toronto schoolteacher and disc jockey, between songs announced each of the fall athletes and introduced the Red Knights Marching Band, which entertained attendees with their own musical selections.

The Toronto Education Association invited attendees to try hitting a target that triggered a bucket full of water onto the head of an awaiting teacher, all to raise money for the group’s scholarship fund.

And members of the National Beta Club, a student community service organization, offered its own version of Plinko as a fundraiser.

Coburn said of the event, “It’s just a great time. The kids can interact with the teachers in a different atmosphere.”