By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham parents got a chance to relax and learn more about Valley Elementary School on Aug. 20 as the school welcomed back more than 750 kindergarten through second-grade students.

A few minutes after the school’s kindergarteners started their first-ever school day, about 30 parents gathered in the VES library for the annual “Boohoo Yahoo Social.” During the event, parents got to meet several school faculty members, learn about VES policies and enjoy breakfast refreshments.

VES Principal Deborah Scarbrough said she could relate to the parents who were sending their kids off to school for the first time, as her 4-year-old grandson entered pre-kindergarten the same day.

“I see some sad faces here today, and I will admit that I am a little sad too,” Scarbrough said, noting she also has a 2-year-old granddaughter and a 2-week-old grandson. “Even though they aren’t my own kids, I feel like I am a first-time parent all over again.”

Scarbrough encouraged the parents to stay busy and keep their minds off sending their kids to school for the first time, and said the VES faculty members treat every child as if they were their own.

“My advice is for you to try and be happy and try to do all those things on your to-do list today,” Scarbrough said with a laugh. “We try to take care of your babies. When they’re here, we feel like they’re our babies.”

Because the school sees a high amount of car traffic every day, Scarbrough encouraged parents to consider sending kids to school on the school bus, and said kids will not be considered tardy if a bus arrives at school late.

Scarbrough said she and the school’s faculty members will always work to help parents resolve any school-related issues they have.

VES Registrar Stephanie Thomas encouraged parents to join the school’s PTO, and said the $20 donation for a family to join will “directly impact” their child’s classroom.