WEST VILLAGE — As New York City kids headed back to school on Monday, West Village parents were thrilled to send their children back to the fall routine.
Mom Nina Ritter happily watched as her children played outside the arts-themed P.S. 3., at Hudson and Grove streets on their first day of kindergarten.
"I love this school — all the teachers, staff and support," said Ritter, 49, whose twins Eli and Lulu will turn 5 years old in October.
SoHo mom Glynis Ford was glad to bring her 5-year-old son Anker for his first day of kindergarten — but said it was difficult for her 3-year-old daughter Tessa to stay home without him.
"All day, she's asked for her brother," said Ford, who works in public relations. Ford added that P.S. 3 made a strong impression on her when it came to the amount of parent involvement.
"The most important thing about a school is parent participation, and it seems like there's a lot of that here," she said.
New pre-K student Jack Ryan, 4, said he liked his teacher and classmates. He had spent weeks announcing that he was growing up.
"He told everyone here and in Ireland that he's going to school," said his mother, Margaret O'Neill Ryan, who hails from Ireland.
Ryan said local families had praised P.S. 3's art, dance and music instruction.
"I walk by here and I see happy children," Ryan said. "That's the most important thing."
Village kids also kicked off the new school year at P.S. 41, on West 11th Street, where parents praised the more traditional curriculum and the green roof, where students learn about the environment.