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Following the first day of school on Friday, the City of LaGrange hosted a Back to School Bash and Movie on the Square.

The free family event was open to the public and put on in collaboration between the city and county governments, the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, the Troup County School System and the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce. 

The community was invited out to Lafayette Square for family-friendly entertainment, including a showing of the movie, “Minions” The Rise of Gru.” The event also included live music from Kit and Char, a dance performance by the Royal Dance Academy, along with free popcorn and games for kids.

Local businesses also joined in, like Downtown LaGrange’s Copper Carrot Bakery, which offered mini cupcakes and Rice Krispy treats to attendees.

It was a great turnout, said LaGrange Mayor Jim Arrington, who said the event was about investing in our children’s future.

New School Superintendent Dr. Rachel Hazel was also at the event after a successful first day of school.

“We had the best first day ever. We went to several schools today and that’s what we kept hearing over and over. We are so thankful that the celebration continues here. Thank you all for investing in our community and our future,” Hazel said. “The work we do is here. This is what makes a difference to all of us and we thank you.”

LaGrange Police Department Lt. Matthew Fowler, who serves as the school resource officer (SRO) for LaGrange High School and heads up the department’s Community Outreach Division, said he is looking forward to working with the children of the community.

“We’re trying to make sure we have an SRO in every single school that we have and we are just about to accomplish that task,” Fowler said. “We’ll have it completed by the end of this school year.”

TCSO Capt. Nathan Taylor was also at the event and spoke on behalf of the sheriff’s office.

“Every year at this time as parents we have to send our kids back to school. Some of us look forward to it. Some of us are dreading it. But it’s when we’re faced with a whirlwind of emotions. Most of it, for a lot of us, is worrying about our kids. Are they studying? Are they making friends? Are they getting good grades? Are they being bullied or are they safe? Taylor said.  “Our biggest concern [at the sheriff’s office] is whether or not our kids are safe at school.”

“For the very first year in our county’s history. We have school resource officers in every school in rural Troup County in 2024. So rest assured that your kids are safe when they’re going to school because we have a deputy with them every day,” Taylor said.