De Blasio Greets Students On First Day Of Class For NYC Public Schools
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio is kicking off the school year with visits to schools in all five boroughs.
De Blasio high-fived pre-kindergarten pupils heading into their first day at Public School 59 on Staten Island on Wednesday.
The mayor visited a classroom and said afterward it was "a moment to remember.'' He said that for the first time, every child in New York City can attend full-day pre-K for free.
De Blasio said 65,504 children are now enrolled in full-day pre-K.
"Today represents the fulfillment of a promise we made to the people of this city: that every child, regardless of their family's means or the zip code they call home, will have access to a life-changing early education," he said.
Nancy Stitham has been teaching pre-kindergarten at P.S. 9 for 21 years. It's only been a half-day program, but she has seen the impact, especially socially, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.
"They are kinder kids, that they know how to have conversations with each other," she said.
Add that with improved literacy and de Blasio expects big things.
"It is going to change the whole system. It is going to lift all boats," he said.
Across the city, more than one million public school students headed back to class on Wednesday.
"I'm so excited to meet new friends and learn more things," second-grader Kamilat Sanusi told CBS2's Janelle Burrell.
But nobody seemed more excited about the first day of school than parents.
Greeting families at PS 59 today on Staten Island @BilldeBlasio @Chirlane #1010WINS pic.twitter.com/P53yEKLQ9D
— glenn schuck (@glennschuck) September 9, 2015
"It's a party day today," said parent Mabel Legrand. "It's been a long time coming. I even brought cupcakes to the school and made a present for the teacher."
The mayor was joined on his tour by his wife First Lady Chirlane McCray and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, who is celebrating her 50th year as an educator.
"It's my 50th first day of school and I'm more excited than ever to see our students and families back in our school buildings and our teachers back in the front of the classroom, working tirelessly to make a difference," said Fariña.
The mayor and his administration face challenges that include helping the city's 94 "renewal'' schools improve enough that they won't have to close.
Fariña said Tuesday that closing some struggling schools remains an option.
She said her hope for them includes "better student attendance, more improved student outcomes, teachers who have gotten tremendous support, an extra hour of school in every one of these schools."
"Everything in New York City, when it comes to schools, I take personally," she said. "I believe in high standards."
De Blasio said 130 new community schools serving at-risk students also opened on Wednesday.
Coming Face To Face With First Day Fears
The first day of school can be full of anxiety, and not just for kids.
As CBS2's Meg Baker explained, the first day of school was a very important day for one Upper East Side 4-year-old.
"This is my first day!" Maya Salter said.
She was getting ready to head to Ella Baker School while her dad made sure she had a healthy breakfast.
"Sugar is not healthy," she said.
The Salter family has three kids to get ready; Ella the youngest, and her big sister Autumn.
"She is ready since she is 1-year-old, asking 'when can I go?'" Ayelet Salter said.
After giving the door man a high five, and giving her sister a final goodbye, Maya was ready to go.
"Maya is my first born. The day she was born, the moment I held her in my arms I told my wife 'someday I am going to lose her,'" her father said.
They were off, with dad carrying Maya until they got close.
"I said we are right by my school, so he doesn't need to carry me," Maya said.
She must have heard his heart break, because moments later he had his little one back in his arms.
"I've been dreading each step that leads to separation. I want to see her grow up, but not too fast," he said.
Maya found her cubby, and got right to playing with puzzles. When it was time for parents to leave, dad couldn't go without one last hug.
There were little tears, but lots of extra hugs. Maya said now that she made it to the big girl school she wants to know when she can ride the big girl bus.
The Salter family said they lucked out, getting into a universal pre-k school only blocks from their apartment.
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