The School Bell Rings for City Kids

By ANDREA AUSTIN & PAUL FRANGIPANE

Over one million New York City kids headed back to school Thursday with only a few setbacks to an otherwise sunny first day.

Mayor Bill de Blasio traveled to all five boroughs to tour schools and trumpet his theme for the school year: “equity and excellence for all.” He said he hoped that by 2026, 80 percent of students graduate high school on time, two-thirds of students are college ready and all students are reading in second grade. He celebrated the record number of children who attended pre-K as a part of Pre-K For All, one of de Blasio’s first accomplishments as mayor, which provides free, full-day school for every four-year-old in the city.

In one black mark on the opening day report card, a 15-year-old boy was arrested at his Brooklyn high school for having a loaded gun in his backpack. A .22 caliber weapon was discovered when the bag went through security at the Brooklyn School for Career Development in Fort Greene. Charges were pending for the boy, who was not identified.

Meanwhile, Public Advocate Leticia James announced a new campaign to raise awareness of bullying and sexual harassments in public schools. James, speaking on the steps of Tweed Courthouse, urged the Department of Education to comply with the Dignity Act, which requires school districts to prohibit discrimination and harassment and to report instances annually.

James said she received complaints that the Department of Education was largely underreporting incidents of sexual harassments and assault. She recommended legislation to require regular and continued reporting on the Dignity Act.

James also urged that the DOE inform parents of their rights and their children’s rights regarding safety and education, including through social media and community outreach.

DOE spokespersons could not be reached for comment.

Photo of Leticia James by Paul Frangipane