NORTH SHELBY – The start of a new school year can be stressful and overwhelming for teachers as well as students, but the faculty and staff at Inverness Elementary School were instead welcomed back with a day of fun and food.

The IES teachers gathered at the school on Wednesday, July 31, in color-coordinated, festive outfits as they were split into teams for a day of game show-style competitions played for a wealth of prizes and accompanied by complimentary food and drinks.

“It’s a great way to kick off the school year with some fun,” Committee member and third grade teacher Michelle Price said. “It’s a great way to introduce the new teachers, for them to come into the school and feel welcome.”

The committee organizes a school year kick-off event each year with a different theme. Members met several times over the summer to plan for the event.

“We try to outdo last year,” school nurse Megan Cobb said.

Games included Wheel of Fortune, Let’s Make a Deal, Jeopardy, The Price is Right and Family Feud.

Nikki Burke, a Fun Committee member, served as hostess while dressed in a suit and tie, and holding a microphone.

About a dozen other Fun Committee members facilitated the games to make sure the day ran smoothly—and that everyone involved had fun.

Marco’s, Rosati’s and Vocelli provided pizza for the teachers, and the Fun Committee also solicited about $500 worth of prizes donated by local businesses.