By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham’s schools over the next few weeks will be gearing up to welcome kids back to the classroom by finishing up construction projects and hosting several orientation events.

Crews currently are working to put the finishing touches on a new nine-classroom wing at Pelham High School, and the wing is set to be completed before classes begin on Aug. 20, said Shelby County Schools Superintendent Tom Ferguson.

The new nine-classroom wing, which is being built on the southwest corner of the PHS campus, was originally scheduled to be completed in October 2011.

However, the Shelby County School Board of Education in November 2011 terminated its contract with the original contractor because of construction delays.

In April, the Shelby County Board of Education announced the Pelham-based Williford Orman construction company had taken over the project.

Elsewhere in the city, other schools will be hosting orientation events for new and returning students. Valley Intermediate School will host a “meet the teacher” day on Aug. 17 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for third-graders, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for fourth-graders and from 1:30-2:30 p.m. for fifth-graders.

During the day, kids will get a chance to meet their new teachers, purchase and pick up pre-packaged school supplies from the PTO, sign up for extracurricular activities and more, said VIS Principal Dana Payne.

Valley Elementary School will host its kindergarten meet the teacher day from 6-7 p.m. on Aug. 14, its first-grade meet the teacher day on Aug. 16 from 6-7 p.m. and its second-grade meet the teacher day on Aug. 16 from 6-7 p.m.

Riverchase Middle School will host its sixth-grade academy orientation and open house on Aug. 3 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

PHS will hold its annual “Camp Pelham” freshmen camp on Aug. 10 from 8 a.m.-noon. During Camp Pelham, incoming freshmen will receive a tour of the school, attend a media center orientation, find their lockers and classes, attend a pep rally and more.

Cost of the camp is $20 per student, and includes a T-shirt and lunch.