Back-to-school buzz

It could have been a very, very bad-hair day. The trade school that was to provide free haircuts for returning schoolkids at the Placer County Office of Education's Back to School Family Resource Fair cancelled out, leaving organizers with a challenge. The cancellation came Monday. Events were planned for Tuesday in Roseville and Thursday in Auburn. Hundred of children were expected, many anticipating a haircut. The Office of Education sent out a social media plea and hours later, a dozen volunteers had come aboard to help. Rocklin hair stylist Alicia Sheeders was one of them, learning about the emergency from her son's teacher. "It's about being able to connect and love on a child," Sheeders said Thursday during the Auburn event. "It's the ultimate blessing to help another." Setting up children on folding chairs in a corner of the Gold Country Fairgrounds Armory building, the volunteers worked through the morning adding a touch of expertise and artfulness to young students lives. The hastily organized team came together behind a sign saying "Head of the Class" salon. Some stylists were retired but still licensed. Others had taken time off from work to make a difference in children's lives — giving their school year a jump start with a stylish haircut. "Head of the Class" cut hair for an estimated 280 children at the two events, which also offered free school supplies, free food, information on jobs and social services to the needy and housing information. "They really came together to help the kids," Placer County schools Superintendent Gayle Garbolino-Mojica said. "This is what Placer County does and they came up big."