NATCHEZ — Books, board games and bingo kits line the walls and shelves of the Natchez-Adams School District’s Parent Resource Center, but its leader hopes the shelves are cleared after Thursday’s open house.

During its yearlong history, Debra Allen, parent liaison for NASD, said the center has hosted several events such as the an open house slated for 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday.

“We have a lot of things going on to get the parents in here,” Allen said.

Allen runs the center, and said the center aims to support parents, promote greater student learning, stronger families and community.

“We want to be able to reach out to the parents,” Allen said.

Often, Allen said parents come because a teacher suggested they check out materials for their children during a parent-teacher conference. Parents are given a form, Allen said, with the teacher’s recommendations on which subjects to focus.

“All teachers refer parents here,” Allen said.

But the form, Allen said, is not a requirement.

“A parent can just come in,” Allen said.

The center’s usual hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but Allen said if a parent requests a specific time, she can wait for them.

“If I have to stay until six or seven with them, that is what we’re here for,” Allen said.

The center first opened in August of last year. In the past, Allen said every school had a parent resource center, but last year all the centers were combined into one in the Braden Administrative Building.

Steven Richardson, public relations coordinator for NASD, said the centers were combined to create a single location for convenience and strength.

“What better place to have it than the district office?” Richardson said.

Parents can check out a number of different items for their children, such as flashcards and board games, to help them improve. Even for children who are doing well in class, Allen said the resources could help them reach the next level.

While some of the resources offered are for younger students, Allen said the center also has laptops and printers in case students don’t have access to them at home.

Whatever the item is though, Allen said the center exists to help parents, as it takes teachers and parents to create student success.

“There’s no way around parental involvement,” Allen said.

The Parent Resource Center is located in the Braden Administrative Building at 10 Homochitto St. in Natchez. The center is open Monday through Friday and can be reached at 601-445-7728.