Hundreds of youngsters and their parents trooped through the hallways of Decas Elementary School last Wednesday, at the PTA’s Back to School night.

The event was separate from the district’s official back-to-school night, which happens in a couple weeks, but both children and parents found a lot to help them and their children return to school.

Echo Unick said her daughter, Mikaela, 6, is going into first grade. Unick said it was great that her daughter got to show her where her classroom is.

“She’s really excited about her teacher this year, [and] she’s run into some of her friends she hasn’t seen all summer,” Unick said.

PTA President Nichole Mazzoli said she estimated more than 250 people had come through the school in the first 30 minutes of the event, which ran from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“There was a lot of excitement around [the event],” Mazzoli said. “It seemed like people started lining up at 5 p.m. to come in the door.”

Mazzoli said the school had 15 vendors come to the school to show parents what options there are for their children, during the year. These included the YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, and other youth-oriented programs.

Decas Principal Donna Noonan said she thought the night was a great success.

“We [had] tremendous parent turnout,” Noonan said. “It’s great, because [the kids] get introduced to … potential friends, and kids that will be in their grade for the next 12 years.”