For the kids, there was face painting, book bags and school supplies.

For the adults, there was a comprehensive introduction to the services offered by the Poughkeepsie City School District and its community partners.

For everyone, there was brunch.

Roughly 50 families attended Community Schools’ Bridges to Poughkeepsie event Saturday. The fourth-annual event allows families of students entering the district for the first time in grades Pre-K through 8 to learn more about the community they are joining before the beginning of the school year.

“Not only do we welcome them into the district, we invite community-based organizations to come in and talk a little bit about their services,” said Natasha Brown, Executive Director of Community Schools.

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Organizations greeting families included the Grace Smith House, Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County, Family Services and the Poughkeepsie Farm Project, which gave out bags of produce. Families were given backpacks of information, such as what services are offered at the Family Partnership Center, signup sheets for the PTA and information on Saturday Morning Lights programs.

Community Schools liaisons floated around to the different tables speaking with families to learn more about their interests and answer any questions they may have.

This year’s event was held at Poughkeepsie High School’s cafeteria and featured brunch, rather than the outdoor setting of past years.

“We wanted to provide a more intimate environment to sit down and really talk to our families,” Brown said. “We wanted the focus to really be on the families getting to know the district.”

Besides, Community Schools’ next big event will provide those families all the outdoor fun they could ask for. On Sept. 7 the department will hold its annual Back to School Bash at the high school. The free noon-to-3 p.m. event will feature entertainment, games, hay rides and free food and school supplies.

Community Schools through the course of the year offers parents and families’ workshops and training opportunities at its Parent Empowerment Center, which further strengthens the connection between the school and city communities. Brown said families Saturday were given surveys regarding what workshop topics they would like to know more about and what times of day best works for them.

Brown noted the success of the Bridges to Poughkeepsie event is often evident in how many of the faces she meets there show up for future school gatherings.

“The families that attend the bridges event are the ones that become involved in the district,” she said. “They join the PTAs, they attend the events. Just catching them at the door and offering this wraparound support for them has proven valuable.”