Emry Delp, 5, and her mom Stacey Delp make a craft at the Mars Area School District Watermelon Welcome. Julia Maruca/Butler Eagle

ADAMS TWP — Five-year-old Emry Delp was too excited to stay asleep last night.

According to her mother, she woke up at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning in anticipation of the Mars Area School District’s Watermelon Welcome, a celebration and open-house event for children who will be heading into kindergarten in the fall and their families.

The event, held in two sessions on Wednesday for the morning and afternoon kindergarten classes, introduced families to the rules, policies and curriculum of kindergarten, as well as to the building and classrooms of Mars Area Primary Center.

Over 250 students and parents explored the gym, library, classrooms, hallways and playground, while receiving information from teachers and administrators. Kids even had the chance to take a ride on a school bus as they learned about school rules, and of course, they had a healthy watermelon snack at the end of the afternoon.

“This is just such a great transition,” said Stacey Delp, Emry’s mom.

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Norah Kendrew, 5, and Max Kendrew eat watermelon at the Mars Area School District Watermelon Welcome. Julia Maruca/Butler Eagle

Zain Patel and Nash Marcello make crafts at the Mars Area School District Watermelon Welcome. Julia Maruca/Butler Eagle