A girl swings at a pinata.

BCS Migrant Education Program Celebrates Back-to-School with Families

Tim Reaves - BCS Communications Department

August 20, 2026

Buncombe County Schools’ Migrant Education Program (MEP) welcomed families to its annual Back-to-School Picnic at Lake Julian last week, bringing the community together for an evening of food, music, activities, and preparation for the new school year.

The exciting celebration included Mexican and Colombian food, piñatas, face painting, games, and more than 200 backpacks filled with age-appropriate school supplies for elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school students.

“We do this picnic every year so families can come together and enjoy each other a little bit, and for us to get to know the families better,” said Migrant Education Program Outreach Specialist Nancy Moore. “It also helps us make sure the kids have supplies to go back to school.”

The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office also joined BCS staff and volunteers in supporting families. Community Outreach Coordinator Kevin Colin Solano said being present at events like the picnic helps strengthen connections between community organizations and the people they serve.

“It’s important to be out and really see the needs of the community, but also for them to see who we are,” he said. “We are also people like them.”

A girl with her face painted looks at the camera.A girl gets her face painted while sitting in a chair.A boy poses while wearing a new backpack.Two boys and a girl hold their new backpacks while posing for the camera.A boy jumps with a jumprope.A boy and an adult play cornhole together.A boy swings at a pinata.A boy smiles underneath a pinata.A boy swings at a pinata while a crowd watches.