As students get ready to head back to the classroom next month, Weller Road Elementary School is once again helping them start the school year with confidence.
The school’s fourth annual Back to School Haircuts event will take place on Monday, August 24, 2026, from 1pm to 3:30pm at Weller Road Elementary School (3301 Weller Road, Silver Spring). The event is free and open to students, with volunteer barbers from Cut Culture Barbershop providing complimentary haircuts for both boys and girls.
Families must schedule an appointment in advance. To reserve a spot, email [email protected] or text 240-888-7628. A confirmation is required to secure an appointment. What began as a small effort to give a handful of students free haircuts has grown into an annual community tradition.
The initiative was created by Weller Road P.E. teacher Gary Lyst, who has spent nearly two decades at the school, together with Catherine Carpela-Schulman, Weller Road’s Community School Liaison. The idea originated during the school’s annual carnival, when barbers Dennis Gutierrez and Rigo from Cut Culture volunteered to provide a few free haircuts. After seeing the positive impact on students and families, the effort evolved into its own dedicated back-to-school event.
Over the years, the program has continued to expand, bringing together volunteer barbers and stylists from the community to ensure students begin the school year looking and feeling their best. The event has become known not only for the free haircuts, but also for the confidence and encouragement it gives children before the first day of school.
Lyst has previously said he hopes the initiative can eventually inspire similar events at schools across Montgomery County, creating more opportunities for students and families to benefit from the generosity of local businesses and volunteers. This year’s event is being presented in partnership with Cut Culture Barbershop, Sports & Beyond, and Weller Road Community School.
