GENTRY, AR -- The start of a new school year is just around the corner, and every Gentry Public Schools student will head back to class with the supplies they need at no cost to their families, thanks to the district's Ready Day One program.

The initiative provides every student in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with teacher-approved school supplies, helping ensure they are prepared to learn from the very first day of school while easing one of the biggest back-to-school expenses for families.

Gentry Primary School students will receive their school supplies during the school's Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Gentry Intermediate School students will receive their supplies during the Intermediate School Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10.

Students at Gentry Middle School and Gentry High School will receive their Ready Day One supplies on the first day of school, Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Unlike many pre-packaged school supply kits, Ready Day One provides students with the same high-quality brands teachers trust in the classroom, including Ticonderoga pencils, Crayola crayons and markers, Elmer's glue sticks, and other classroom essentials selected by Gentry educators.

By purchasing supplies in bulk, the district is able to provide premium-quality materials while eliminating the need for families to shop for lengthy supply lists.

"Ready Day One is about making sure every student starts the school year prepared and every family has one less thing to worry about," said Gentry Superintendent Dr. Tyler Broyles. "When students walk into their classrooms with the supplies they need, teachers can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning from the very first day. School was never meant to be expensive for families, and that's also our goal for implementing this program."

The Ready Day One program was launched as a pilot at Gentry Primary School during the 2025-26 school year before expanding districtwide this year through the support of community partners and the Gentry Board of Education.

For families, the program means less time spent shopping, lower back-to-school costs, and the confidence that every student will have the exact supplies requested by their teachers.

Classes for the 2026-27 school year begin Wednesday, Aug. 12. Families can find additional back-to-school information, including school hours, traffic flow maps, bus routes, and frequently asked questions, by visiting the district's Back-to-School Guide on the Gentry Public Schools website: https://www.gentrypioneers.com/page/back-to-school