Public school families helped launch the 2009-10 school year at the DOE’s annual Back to School Kickoff in Central Park.
“I can’t wait for school to begin,” gushed Rebecca Martinez, a fourth-grader at PS 100 in the Bronx. “I love all my teachers and I want to see my friends.”
Thousands of students, families, and friends gathered at the Central Park Bandshell on August 22 where they were joined by Chancellor Joel Klein and event host Martine Guerrier, who heads the DOE’s Office for Family Engagement and Advocacy.
The PS 22 chorus from Staten Island entertained the crowd with their renditions of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida and Lady Gaga’s Just Dance.
“I cannot tell you how thrilling it is to see all these young people excited to start school,” Chancellor Klein told the crowd. “Parents are sending a powerful message to their kids — education is what matters; education is how you’ll get ahead. With this attitude, I think we’ll make this year the best New York City has ever seen.”
While the students participated in arts and crafts projects and other activities, their parents spoke with representatives from the DOE who were on hand to answer questions about enrollment, school busing, ARIS Parent Link, and other important issues for the start of school.