HOOVER – The first day of a new school year is always a time of change, but there were even more changes than usual this year for students at Greystone Elementary School.

The first day of school on Thursday, Aug. 8, also marked the opening of the Pre-K classroom at the school.

Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program provides effective early childhood experiences that prepare children for success in school.

“There’s a huge need for Pre-K,” GES Principal Stacey Stocks said and added that the class at Greystone accepted 20 students with another 18 on the wait list.

The wait lists for other Hoover City Schools Pre-K classrooms was even longer, Stocks said.

“It really does set these students up for success in school,” she said.

Another significant change at Greystone Elementary was the implementation of a house system.

Like Harry Potter but less dramatic, GES students drew randomly to see which of five houses they would enter.

Each house was represented by an animal, color and value: Hawks, red, focus; Turtles, green, perseverance; Dolphins, blue, peace; Lions, orange, courage; and Wolves, purple, cooperation.

At an assembly that introduced the system, the students drew for their house and then were welcomed into it with a pep rally-type atmosphere.

Throughout the school year, the school will hold house days when they will meet with the other members of their house, which include students from kindergarten all the way through fifth grade along with faculty and staff members.

“This just gives kids another group to connect to,” Stocks said. “It gives them a chance to meet students all over the building.”

As has become a school tradition, students and their parents were welcomed back to school with a Bingo Night event on Friday, Aug. 9.

Participants purchased cards for $1 for the chance to win prizes, and food trucks were also on hand.