Eddie A. Perez

Mayor

 

NEW:     UNIFORMS

                SCHOOLS

ATTITUDE TOWARDS LEARNING

 

---NEWS ADVISORY---

 

WHEN:                       Tuesday, September 5, 2006 

                                    (Mayor’s media availability:  6 a.m. at Breakthrough Magnet)

                                    (“Journey to Success” bus tour meets up there at 7:45 a.m.)

 

WHERE:                    Breakthrough Magnet School, 290 Brookfield Street

                                    Burr Elementary School, 400 Wethersfield Avenue

                                    Clark Elementary School, 75 Clark Street

 

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez will welcome students to the first day of class on September 5th--- a day that features new, mandatory uniforms for Pre-K through 8, new school construction and renovation, and a new, more focused attitude on learning.

 

Highlights this year:

1.      Breakthrough Magnet School:  $29,500,000 invested in constructing this brand new facility for Pre-K through 8th graders that students will be entering for the very first time. Just picture those smiles!  Some unique features of the building include a “green roof” as well as a math lab, a media center, and an outdoor amphitheater.

2.      Burr Elementary School:  $28,000,000 in construction and renovation translates into a new gymnasium, cafeteria, and classrooms as well as new playgrounds and parking areas.

3.      Clark Elementary School:  Meet Beryl Bailey, the new principal!  Share her strong emphasis on reading.  Tour will include classrooms and library.

 

Mayor Perez, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Education, says, “From day one, the emphasis must be on learning.  Our goal is to increase the number of Hartford students who graduate from four-year colleges.  That emphasis on education must start with our youngest students and be re-enforced all the way through the high school years.  High goals are set on day one of classes.  Students and parents need to realize the importance of attending class on the first day.  It sets the tone for the rest of the school year and the rest of their years in school.”

 

(More)

 

Last year, the first day attendance rate increased to 86%.  In 2004, it was almost 84% and in 2003 it was almost 82%.  In order to encourage an even better showing in 2006, Mayor Perez has recorded a reminder phone call message in both English and in Spanish.  These automatic calls went out on August 25th and reminded students in Pre-K through 8th grades to wear their new uniforms. Mayor Perez has also recorded a Public Service Announcement (PSA) that is airing on Univision Channel 18.  (For more information on this, you can contact Nayra Bryon at WUVN at 860-278-1818 x14).

 

The Mayor’s complete first day of school schedule is as follows:

6:00 a.m.           Media Availability at Breakthrough Magnet

 

7:45 a.m.           “Journey to Success” Bus Tour arrives at Breakthrough Magnet

8:15 a.m.           Meet and greet begins

8:30 a.m.           Meet and greet continues as more students arrive

8:45 a.m.           Bus departs for Burr Elementary

9:00 a.m.           Students at Burr lead tour of reading lab, business lab, and science lab

9:30 a.m.           Bus departs

9:45 a.m.           Bus tour arrives at Clark Elementary where Library will be featured

10:15 a.m.         Bus leaves to go back to Breakthrough Magnet

10:30 a.m.         Walkthrough Breakthrough Magnet

10:45 a.m.         Tour ends

 

11:00 a.m.         Mayor stops by Bushnell Memorial for educational event with CT Commission on Culture and Tourism.  Statue donated by Chinese government will be unveiled.

 

12:00 p.m.         Mayor Perez will speak at the grand opening of The School for Young Children on Asylum Hill (814 Asylum Ave).  This school serves urban and suburban children from birth through grade three.  It was developed in partnership between CREC, Saint Joseph College, and the Asylum Hill Congregational Church

 

 

Media notes at Breakthrough Magnet:

Members of the media are asked to park on Brookfield or Pulaski Streets.  Live trucks may park in the main parking lot at Breakthrough Magnet for early morning live shots as long as they move by 7:30 a.m. to make way for the school buses.  Parking in this area is on a first come first served basis.

 

Reminder:  Because parental permission slips concerning photography are signed during the first week of school, please refrain from taking identifiable pictures of students unless a parent or guardian agrees.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

 

Any questions concerning the Mayor’s role, please contact Sarah Barr, Director of Communications, at (860) 522-4888 x6217 or (860) 550-3714 (cell).