Politics
On the First Day at New Schools, Hugs, Tears and Plenty of Photos
A new school year often means new notebooks, pencils and folders. For some New York City students this year, it means a new school or building, too. Public school students returned to class on Thursday as administrators opened nine new schools and 24 …
A new school year often means new notebooks, pencils and folders. For some New York City students this year, it means a new school or building, too.
Public school students returned to class on Thursday as administrators opened nine new schools and 24 new buildings, some replacing older structures.
The changes come as the number of New Yorkers younger than 20 fell by more than 186,000 over three years, according to recent census data analysis, and enrollment in the school system, the nation’s largest, declined from a decade ago.
But David C. Banks, the city’s schools chancellor, has highlighted an influx of migrant children as a bright spot. A spokesman for the Education Department also pointed to the pent-up demand for special programming that the new buildings could provide and new state requirements to gradually shrink class sizes by 2028.
The New York Times visited new buildings in the four boroughs where they were opened on Thursday morning.
Manhattan
“I’m going to miss you, Mom,” Matthew Stewart, 6, who was entering first grade in Inwood at the Oscar de la Renta Educational Campus, said to his mother, Mariela Herrera. With an estimated capacity of 770 people, the new building will provide more space for the schools it serves than they previously had.
The Bronx
The first day of school — including in Mount Eden at the Aurelia Greene Educational Campus, a new school serving pre-K to fifth-grade students with 23 classrooms — may not be complete without taking the requisite photos.
Queens
Outside the Motion Picture Technical High School — a new school at a temporary site in Sunnyside catering to students hoping to pursue careers in the film and television industries — Warren Lee took a photo of his son, Oliver, with the principal, Marisa Castello.
The Bronx
“It’s like a clean building, fresh from the builders,” Luis Ruiz, 11, said of the Aurelia Greene building.
Manhattan
Cameron Campbell, 8, attending school at the Oscar de la Renta campus, and his younger brother, Greysen Campbell, 3, who will not be starting until next year, wore similar outfits.
Brooklyn
Ryan Santos, 5, prepared for his first day of kindergarten at P.S. 331 with his parents, Efrain Santos and Flor Bande.
Queens
Peeking in at morning orientation at Motion Picture Technical High School.
The Bronx
The Aurelia Greene campus has an estimated capacity of 433 people.
Queens
Elias Ochoa tended to his children Abagail and Alla Ochoa before their first day of school at Motion Picture Technical High School.
The Bronx
“This is great, a good experience,” said Coya Faulks, taking a photo of her son, Logan Lewis, 11, at the Aurelia Greene school. “I just want him to focus and have a good day.”
Brooklyn
Children at P.S. 331 can take unique entrepreneurship courses, including one teaching financial literacy.
