North Rockland Central School District opened its doors this week to families before the start of the school year.

The hallways of Thiells Elementary School were buzzing during an open house school event.

Families had a chance to visit classrooms, meet teachers and become familiar with the building ahead of the first day of classes next week.

Principal Peter DiBernardi told News 12 that they held an open house last year.

"We want our children to feel loved and welcomed in school and you have got to get them in early, and often," he said.

North Rockland is the only school district in the entire county to have an open house for all their students in every grade in every building. It has more than 8,000 students, 750 teachers and 1,500 staff members.

Superintendent Dr. Kris Felicello said it’s a great way to start the year off “on the right foot.”