In order to get ready for the first day of school on Aug. 8, an Open House Meet and Greet will be held Aug. 6 at Pine Island Elementary School for parents and students.

“Parents can expect to meet their child’s teacher,” Pine Island Elementary School Principal Robert Mazzoli said.

He said important paperwork will be passed out during the open house for parents to fill out and return to the teacher before they leave that night.

A curriculum night will be held later in the month on Aug. 28 to go over specifics about the academics and expectations, Mazzoli said.

The open house will be held during two different time periods – 6-6:30 p.m. and 6:45-7:15 p.m. to accommodate parent’s work schedules.

“If parents had two children going to school, then they would have an opportunity to view both their children’s open houses,” Mazzoli said.

T-shirts will be on sale for $10 in the cafeteria during the open house, along with the cafeteria manager being present to take pre-payments for lunch.

Parents are also asked by district staff to fill out a lunch application for Free and Reduced Lunch, which can be done during the open house, or online at www.rocketscan.leeschools.net.

“We will have bus routes posted throughout the front of our campus during open house and we will have Mrs. B available to help with bus information and translations for our Spanish speaking families,” Mazzoli said.

The open house will also give parents the opportunity to get additional supplies that they need.

The first day of school – Aug. 8 – will kick off the 2012-2013 school year with the doors opening at 8:25 a.m. at Pine Island Elementary School. School officially starts at 8:55 a.m. and dismisses at 3:10 p.m.

Mazzoli said parents should ensure that their children are well rested the days leading up to the first day of school to begin the first week of school on the right foot.

He also wants to remind parents to make sure the required documents that will be passed out during the open house are returned to school on Aug. 8 if not already turned in.

“Likewise, if they receive any paperwork during the first days of school, make sure everything is filled out and returned,” Mazzoli said.

Transportation is also an important topic to discuss before the first day of school.

“Parents should know how their child is getting home on the first day,” he said. “Students should know without a doubt how they are getting home.”

Students are encouraged to bring something notifying the teacher of how they are getting home on the first day of school, if it was not already discussed during the open house with the teacher.

Mazzoli encourages parents to be patient in the afternoon as it is their priority to make sure that every child gets home safely the first day of school.

“We will tag our students as they get off their bus, so we know which bus to put them on in the afternoon,” he said.

Supplies should also be brought to school on the first day of school, along with a packed lunch if that is what is decided upon.

Mazzoli said students should expect to learn procedures and routines and expectations during the first couple days of school.

“Students will meet new friends and get to interact as a class,” he said.

Pine Island Elementary School is located at 5360 Ridgewood Drive in Bokeelia. For more information, call 239-283-0505.