Back to school programme provides children with hygiene essentials and supplies

For the 26th consecutive year, Henry Schein, Inc. is helping children around the world start the academic year off right through its ‘Back to School’ programme.

This programme stands as a flagship initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the company’s global corporate social responsibility programme, and is driven by Henry Schein’s Team Schein Engagement team. Team Schein Members at 32 locations in the U.S., Canada, Spain, Italy, U.K., and Ireland are providing nearly 5,000 students with backpacks filled with school supplies and hygiene essentials. Since the programme’s inception in 1998, the company has helped more than 65,000 children return to the classroom equipped with the necessities for a successful school year.

On August 17, Henry Schein held its first in-person ‘Back to School’ event at its worldwide headquarters in Melville, N.Y., since 2019. Approximately 400 pre-identified children and their families received backpacks, school supplies, and gift cards to purchase their choice of first-day-of-school outfits. The event also included a BBQ, games, music, crafts, and other activities, including an interactive science presentation. Additionally, the event featured a tent with free books donated by Team Schein Members and KPMG LLP – the U.S. audit, tax, and advisory firm – through its Family for Literacy programme and partnership with nonprofit social enterprise First Book. One of several ‘Back to School’ events being held around the world, the fun-filled evening provided participating children and families with an uplifting experience to kick off a successful school year.

Stanley M. Bergman, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, said, “Over the past two and a half decades, Team Schein’s dedication to the ‘Back to School’ programme has only grown stronger. By investing in the educational journey of these exceptional children, we are strengthening the future of our communities. The resilience and potential these students possess inspires Henry Schein to continue doing our part to ensure children within our communities have equal opportunities to thrive.”

Back to school in the UK

For the 2023 programme, Henry Schein UK collaborated with three schools, providing 75 backpacks full of useful supplies to help the children most in need go back to school with renewed enthusiasm. The three schools supported by Team Schein were Bradfields Academy in Gillingham, Baden Powell Primary School in Cardiff and Springwell Leeds Academy East in Ilkley.

Bradfields Academyaims to be a leading centre of excellence in the Special Education Sector where students can thrive and fully develop their cognitive, social and emotional skills in order to take a full, active and responsible role in their local community and beyond as global citizens and ambassadors for students with disabilities.

Mrs Knott, assistant principal at Bradfields Academy, said, “A huge thank you to Henry Schein for the gift of 25 filled rucksacks for a selection of our students. The comments made by the students showed how unexpected and delighted they were with the gifts, and the smiles on their faces relayed their happiness. Parents have also commented on the joy the students had at receiving them and showing them the contents when they got home. The stationery and items inside will allow students the chance to be creative and develop their literacy skills in their own time.”

Baden Powell School in Cardiff is a fully inclusive and culturally diverse school. The 25 pupils who received the support of Team Schein this year “were so happy and were overjoyed when they opened up the bag to see all the equipment,” said Rachel Letman, acting deputy headteacher at the school.

Springwell Leeds is a specialist academy with the aim to provide the best possible care and education that we can for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs between the ages of five and 16.

Vikki Goodall, vice president and managing director UK & Ireland, said, “Our Back to School programme at Henry Schein embodies our values of solidarity and commitment to those who are most in need. We are proud to have partnered this year with these three devoted educational institutions to provide students with school supplies to help them return to class with joy.”