ALABASTER – On the morning of Tuesday, April 24, students entering pre-K and kindergarten and their parents had the opportunity to take a tour of Meadow View Elementary School before the 2018-2019 school year starts.

“Our parents have the opportunity to see our school and answer any questions they may have,” MVES Principal Rachea Simms said. “It’s an opportunity to simply welcome them and let them know how their children are the most important thing to us.”

The preview day began with a snack and a reading of “Kasey’s Poodle Skirt” by Sandy De Young. Afterwards, students and parents broke into groups and began touring the school. Tour guides wore poodle skirts and other 1950s attire in accordance with the day’s overall theme.

Visitors were led through the school’s library, computer lab, gym, cafeteria, office area, playgrounds, art room, music room and several kindergarten classrooms. Simms said she was especially excited to show off the school’s most recent additions: the STEAM lab and parenting room.

“We talk to them informally about their schedules and how often they’ll visit each place,” Simms said.

Simms said the tours served to get students and parents more acquainted with the school.

“We answer any of the questions (parents) have relating to our procedures and policies,” Simms said.

According to Registrar Teresa Davenport, who organized the tours, this is the 16th year that the school has been hosting the preview days.

Davenport said enrolling a child in kindergarten is a special time for parents and children, and the preview day serves to help them cross that milestone.

“Any time you’re enrolling your child in a new school, it’s hard for a parent to not see where they’re going to be every day,” Davenport said. “We want the parents to feel comfortable that their kid is always safe and learning new things.”

While she already has an older child enrolled at MVES, parent Kenya Howard said the tours eased her daughter’s anxieties about starting a new school.

“I don’t think she’ll be as afraid. It soothes her and calms her nerves,” Howard said. ” We love the school and we love the school system.”

Patricia Colmenares said she was nervous about enrolling her granddaughter, Zahara Cox, to school before they took a tour. She said she was happy to send her granddaughter to a safe school where she could engage her interests.

“It’s good to know where everything is and what they offer,” Colmenares said. “It’s good to know there’s security and someone watching over them at all times. My other grandkids went here, and they loved it.”