By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – More than a few smiles lit up the cafeteria at Creek View Elementary School on the morning of April 26 as kindergarten teacher Paige Pearson revealed a regular staple on the school’s Friday breakfast menu: Donuts.

“Our CNP employees are some of the sweetest, hardest working ladies I know,” Pearson told the dozens of families gathered in the cafeteria.

Throughout the morning, upcoming kindergarteners and their families enjoyed a snack and tour of the school several months before they were set to begin attending classes there.

The event served to continue a school tradition of reaching out to incoming students to better prepare them to attend elementary school for the first time in August. Many of the children in attendance during the event were already familiar with their surroundings, as they have spent the past several months in the CVES pre-kindergarten program.

“We are very lucky to have you here today,” Pearson said. “This is a great time for kids to make friends with one another. Kindergarten is just a wonderful experience.”

After enjoying a performance from the CVES third-grade choir and hearing from school leaders and teachers, the incoming kindergartners and their parents took tours of the school to learn more about the classes they will attend for the next few years.

Pearson explained the school’s many offerings, while introducing key staff members such as the 11 kindergarten teachers, principals and assistant principals, the school resource officer, counselors and more. She also told the upcoming students about fun events they will be able to participate in during their school tenure, such as the 100^th day of school, Read Across America week and field trips to the zoo and pumpkin patch.

CVES Principal Charissa Cole praised the school’s teachers and staff members and said the students will learn much and have fun while attending Creek View.

“We have the most caring and passionate teachers and staff of anywhere in Alabama and the United States,” Cole said. “You’re going to love it here.”