It’s not nearly as bold as the back-to-school strategy that Chicago Public Schools is employing this year, but the Oakland school district’s campaign to encourage timely attendance on Day 1 — Aug. 31 – includes the essentials: free backpacks and school supplies and a chance to register your child for school.

Have little ones? The district is holding two elementary school fairs this Saturday: one from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in West Oakland’s DeFremery Park, and another from noon to 4 p.m. on the other end of the city, at the Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center in East Oakland. If you can’t make those, there’s one from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Family and Community Office, 2111 International Blvd.

For middle and high school families, the big event (co-sponsored by Oakland Natives Give Back and the Oakland Mayor’s Office) is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23 outside of Oakland City Hall.

You can find the OUSD back to school flier here. Want to help? Oakland Natives Give Back is collecting donations.

To register: Bring identification, proof of residence (three kinds), immunization records, a transcript or report card and a birth certificate, passport or original I-94.

File photo by Anda Chu, Bay Area News Group