Seven-year-old Chayton Lowe sat perfectly still in the barber's chair, tufts of blonde hair falling around him.

"You'll look so handsome for the first day of school," staid Chayton's aunt, Elizabeth Lowe, standing nearby.

Chayton was among the 15,000 Arlington school children who filled AT&T Stadium in The American Dream City on Saturday for the inaugural AISD Back to School Kickoff. The event, which helped students and their families get the supplies and resources they need to prepare for school, included free haircuts, vaccinations, eye exams and dental screenings. Every student received a free backpack full of supplies.

The kickoff was hosted by the Arlington ISD, and co-hosted by the Arlington NAACP, Junior League of Arlington, The Churches of Arlington, The Gene and Jerry Jones Family North Texas Youth Education Town and the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation.

Aaron Perales, the school district's director of parent and community engagement, said the event aims to maximize community resources to reach the most students in need. To have qualified, students must be eligible for free and reduced lunch.

"We are starting the school year off right," he said. "Having new backpacks and supplies gets our students excited for the first day of school, and they feel better about themselves."

Chayton, who attends Goodman Elementary, woke at 5:30 in the morning because he was so excited to get a new backpack and haircut. Chayton's father is ill, his aunt said, so his family has only one income.

"Things can be tough, so this is a big help," his aunt said.

Students and parents also browsed community resources on literacy and after-school care programs and attended workshops on college readiness and testing tips, among other topics.

For many kids, getting a new backpack was the highlight of the day. Jesslyn Ortiz, 6, studied the rows of colorful backpacks, searching for the perfect bag to carry at Roquemore Elementary, where she is a student.

"I love it," said Jesslyn, showing off her new light blue backpack.

With four children ages 4 to 13, Jessica Ortiz, her mother, said purchasing clothes and supplies for school can be difficult. "I am so happy Arlington ISD stepped in to help. This is great."

Nearby, 15-year-old Ashley Vega modeled her new long layers to her family after receiving a haircut. When she arrived Saturday morning, her hair was too long with split ends, she said. Now, with a new pink backpack and stylish haircut, Vega said she felt ready to start her freshman year at Bowie High School.

"Not everyone can afford new backpacks and haircuts all the time," Ashley said. "This is such a nice way to get ready for school."