FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:  NEW BEGINNINGS

RAISING STANDARDS --- ENGAGING PARENTS --- INSPIRING YOUTH

 

---NEWS ADVISORY---

 

WHEN:           Wednesday, August 29, 2007

                        Mayor Perez’s media availability:  6:00 a.m.

                       

WHERE:        Annie Fisher Magnet School of Intelligences

                        280 Plainfield Street

                        Hartford’s Blue Hills neighborhood

 

Mayor Eddie A. Perez will outline the exciting changes being put into place to raise the standards and expectations of Hartford Public School students, encourage parents to be more engaged in the educational system, and inspire teachers to find innovative ways to prepare youngsters for the jobs of the 21^st Century.

 

Mayor Perez says, “Hartford needs to act with one voice and embrace the reform agenda.  It is essential that we work together with Superintendent Adamowski to close the achievement gap between urban and suburban schools.  Starting the school year earlier and expanding the mandatory school uniform policy are just two of many steps being taken to increase accountability.”

 

Another positive change is the construction and renovation at the Annie Fisher Magnet School of Intelligences that is already underway.  The $38.4 million project includes:

     1.  Complete renovation of the existing building

     2.  New addition for Media Center and 4 new classrooms

     3.  New addition for café and kitchen

 

Annie Fisher is part of phase 2 of the schools slated for renovation and/or construction.  Other schools that are part of this construction phase include:  Sport and Medical Sciences Academy, University High School of Science and Engineering, Richard J. Kinsella Community School, Mary Hooker Environmental Studies Magnet School, Pathways to Technology Magnet School and The Capital Preparatory Magnet School.

 

Phase two adds to the incredible momentum of the school building program, under the leadership of the Hartford School Building Committee, headed by Mayor Perez.  The first phase of the program awarded more than $40 million to Minority Women Business Enterprises (MWBE).

 

Mayor Perez says, “This has meant almost 319,000 working hours so far for city residents and that translates to almost $8 million in new wages for them.  This investment lays a strong foundation for our businesses and educational system.”

 

The successful phase one included seven schools:  Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School, Dr. James H. Naylor School, Rawson School, Breakthrough Magnet School, Classical Magnet School, Alfred E. Burr School and Hartford Public High School.

 

Following the morning media availability, Mayor Perez will take part in the “New Beginnings” First Day Bus Tour.  The Fuel Cell Bus will make three stops (all times are approximate)

1.       8:30 a.m.  Hartford Public High School, 55 Forest Street in the Asylum Hill neighborhood.  The focus here will be on the new 9^th Grade Academy, where uniforms are now required.

2.       9:15 a.m.  Classical Magnet School, 85 Woodland Street, also in the Asylum Hill neighborhood.  This is the highest performing school in the District.

3.       10:00 a.m.  Betances Elementary, 42 Charter Oak Avenue, in the Sheldon-Charter Oak neighborhood.  This school has shown the greatest CMT gains of any school in the District and there is a great sense of parental involvement.

 

Live trucks:  Please park on the same side of the school on Plainfield Street because there are power lines on the opposite side.

 

Renderings of Annie Fisher Magnet School of Intelligences are available and will be sent as a separate email.

 

For more information on the Mayor’s role, please contact Sarah Barr, Director of Communications at (860) 550-3174 (cell).