MAYOR PEREZ EMBRACES “MAGICAL YEAR”

AT HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

---NEWS RELEASE---

(August 28, 2007)--- Mayor Eddie A. Perez, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Education, told a standing room only crowd of teachers that they are the “everyday heroes” of our children’s future and he looks forward to celebrating a successful new year and whole new era for Hartford Public Schools.

Mayor Perez addressed the Teacher Convocation, a way to welcome back teachers and a way to renew their dedication to education.  The event was held in the auditorium of Hartford Public High School.

Mayor Perez says, “I cannot tell you enough how much I embrace Hartford’s new phase of education.  Together we have already changed a culture by setting higher standards and higher expectations and then working like heck to meet them.  We’ve changed the way we do business with no more finger pointing, no more excuses, and working together to find solutions.”

The learning environment for Hartford Public School teachers and students has also changed.  Thanks to the school construction and renovation program, schools are more modern.  Seven schools were completed in phase one and now phase two is underway.

A mandatory school uniform policy is also place and is being expanded this year with the new 9^th Grade Academy.  This reduces distractions and increases the focus on learning.  Mayor Perez wants the school system to work as one with its new Superintendent, Dr. Steven Adamowski.  The goal is to close the urban-suburban achievement gap and have more Hartford students graduate from 4-year colleges.

Mayor Perez says, “Dr. Adamowski is a nationally known educator who has a proven track record.  Educators, parents, and community leaders all worked with the Board of Education to bring him to Hartford.  He’s repaid our faith with a bold plan to reform our schools.  He’s our Superintendent, this is our plan, and we must embrace it together.”

Mayor Perez says the plan will work because inspirational and dedicated teachers are already in place.  He also calls on parents to be more engaged in their child’s education and calls on students to have higher expectations of themselves.