Jessica Steinbach feels secure about where her two sons attend school — she knows who their classmates will be next year, and the teachers are mostly familiar faces. To her, Austin Catholic Schools has “a sense of community.”

“I just don’t think at any other school I could feel as welcome,” she said. “I feel like I could walk in during the middle of the day, and the teachers would be happy to have me sit in.”

Steinbach, president of the PTCA, helped organize the Back-to-School BBQ Wednesday afternoon in the Austin Catholic Elementary parking lot. Along with the Knights of Columbus, PTCA members held the kickoff to introduce parents and students in preschool through 12th grade to the school and give them an opportunity to meet their teachers for the year and get their lockers situated. A pulled pork meal was also provided with donations from local stores. About 500 people were expected for the event.

Parents were also offered information about volunteering.

“We have a new parent volunteer program to get parents involved,” Steinbach said.

She learned that her third grade son, Jacob, will have Patty Ulland as his teacher.

“We’re very excited she’s going to be our teacher,” Steinbach said.

Jacob said he is prepared for his first day — Tuesday, Sept. 8 — with his new “cool pencil box.”

“I know lot of the kids and I know some of the teachers,” Jacob said.

His favorite subject is math, especially when “they time you on the answers.”

Steinbach said she likes that her son will know who is in the desks next to him this year.

“You know these same 30 kids will be back next year,” she said. “I think it takes the edge of nervousness off.”