The 2026 edition of Back To School was held at A. Jeffrey Caines Sports Arena in Virgin Gorda on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with about 150 students attending in person and 350 out of 400 school bags with essential school supplies distributed. Photo: Facebook/Vincent O. Wheatley

Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley, said the annual Back To School event is a means of bringing relief to parents who may be struggling with back-to-school expenses. Photo: Facebook/Vincent O. Wheatley

Scenes from the 2026 Back To School event in the Ninth District. Photo: Facebook/Vincent O. Wheatley

350 out of 400 school bags with essential school supplies distributed during the 2026 District Nine Back To School. Photo: Facebook/Vincent O. Wheatley

Scenes from the 2026 Back To School event in the Ninth District. Photo: Facebook/Vincent O. Wheatley

The 2026 edition of Back To School was held at A. Jeffrey Caines Sports Arena in Virgin Gorda on Saturday, August 22, 2026, with about 150 students attending in person and 350 out of 400 school bags with essential school supplies distributed. With the help of over 12 sponsors, students were also provided with vouchers for haircuts or hair washes, uniforms and food. 

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Hon Wheatley said, “ It was a huge success…We had a fantastic day of activities, community and mental health aides; we had food.”

Several activities were also available for attending students, including bouncing castles, water slides and motivational speakers and members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force on site. 

“The kids had a fantastic time,” he said. 

Parents felt the relief

Meanwhile, Hon Wheatley said parents also felt relief. 

Hon Wheatley explained that Back To School was born out of recognising that many District Nine residents are employed in the tourism sector and the summer months are considered the slow season. 

“So these parents are facing back to school with all of these expenses, not working. So that’s where Back To School really came from, recognising parents might be going through struggling times at this particular time of the year right before school opens.”

The annual event, he added, brings together sponsors and members of the community. He described the day as one of “relaxation, activities and food”, while bringing much-needed relief to parents who may be facing challenging times. 

Hon Wheatley expressed gratitude and thanks to the community, sponsors and everyone who came out to make the event a success.