Supply giveaway helps students start fresh

CEDAR RAPIDS - Nikki Boots' youngest daughter can't imagine getting into college now that she's no longer able to attend Polk Elementary School.

The 7-year-old told her mom she wants to be back at Polk, 1500 B Ave. NE, which closed in May to become an alternative education center.

“I wanna cry,” Boots said. “I really wanna cry. ... It hurts me. Polk might be in the 'hood, but it's the best school there ever has been. They were so dedicated.”

Despite the adjustments her daughter will make this year at Arthur Elementary, Boots conquered her sadness last night and returned to the site of her favorite elementary school to pick up school supplies.

Daybreak Rotary donated 125 backpacks for the supply distribution event, which included representatives from the Boys and Girls Club of Cedar Rapids, the Young Parents Network and Tanager Place. Those three groups are set to occupy the Polk building,  providing before-and-after-school services for local families in what will be known as the Polk Neighborhood Community Center.

“I'm so glad they're using it for the Boys and Girls Club instead of tearing it down,” said Boots, whose kids will be among those to use the space.

Brian Stutzman, the executive director of the Young Parents Network, said the backpack giveaway is a positive start to the school year.

“It's a sign of a lot more things to come,” Stutzman said, adding that he was pleased with the turnout. “It's a good representation of the kinds of support the center will receive.”

Families of former Polk students and those involved with any of the three organizations were allowed to take advantage of the event.

Mike Hines, the community-based service administrator with Tanager, said the closure of Polk was “a great loss” to the community, but he hopes the new center can become a “one-stop shop for whatever (area families) may need.”