Starting kindergarten can be tough, but a few scoops of ice cream helps make the transition a little sweeter.

On Thursday night, the John W. Decas Elementary School held its annual ice cream social.

Sponsored by the district’s Office of Beyond School Time, the event is designed to ease the transition for incoming kindergarten students.

“It’s a fun activity for the kids," said Denise Tobin, an educator at Minot Forest Elementary. "It gets them in the school and meeting some of the people they’ll get to know better in the fall,”

Tobin, alongside other faculty and staff, scooped ice cream for the 150 or so parents and kids that arrived for the event.

Also, author Kate Hanscom, of Auburn, read her book “Creative Christopher” to students gathered on the stage in the school’s multi-purpose room.

Between the ice cream and entertainment, any worries students may have had were eased at the event.

“I love preschool,” said Avery Paulo, 4. “But I’m going to love kindergarten!”