PORT ORCHARD — To help ease the financial burden experienced by some families, the South Kitsap School District said it will distribute essential school supplies to kindergarten through third-grade students at their school open house or similar event prior to the first day of school.

“The South Kitsap School District is committed to removing barriers to learning and providing equitable access to education for our students,” said Amy Miller, the district’s spokeswoman.

“Part of that commitment is lessening the financial burden of purchasing school supplies by our families.”

There are plans to expand the program in the future, Miller said, the initial phase applies only to students in the primary grades K-3.

The list of supplies to be provided includes:

Glue sticks; No. 2 pencils; dry erase markers; crayons; colored markers; watercolors; wide rule lined paper; composition notebooks; spiral notebooks, erasers; scissors and rulers.

The school district will not host its annual “Back To School Celebration” this year, Miller said. Instead, she said, school supplies will be delivered to schools for K-3 teachers to distribute directly to students.

“We still need the support of community partners and service organizations,” said Karst Brandsma, SKSD superintendent. “We hope that those who typically attended or supported the “Back To School Celebration” will contribute to the expansion of the school supply program.

“This shift will put the focus back on the students in our schools, which was the original intent of the celebration event.”

Monetary and supply donations are encouraged, he added. The school district is seeking colored pencils, liquid white glue, big pencils, three-ring binders, tab dividers, resealable bags, headphones or earbuds, and tissue boxes.

Donations can be dropped off at the district’s administration office Mondays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information is available through the Office of School and Family Support at 360-874-7054.