SYRACUSE -- Today is the last day of summer break for students in the Syracuse City School District. Tomorrow, they head back for the new school year.
New Superintendent Sharon Contreras will open the school year by visiting schools in each quadrant of the city. She will be joined by State Education Commissioner John King Jr., Mayor Stephanie Miner and Board of Education President Richard Strong.
"I am excited to begin the 2011-2012 school year and thrilled that Commissioner King will be joining me as we visit our school children on their first day," said Superintendent Contreras. "The start of each school year brings with it renewed hope and great promise for our students and staff," added Contreras.
The Superintendent will begin her day at 6:30 a.m. at the First Student bus garage on Spencer Street where she will greet the bus drivers and transportation aides. She will be joined by Mayor Miner at Porter Elementary School at 7:30 a.m. where they will serve breakfast to the students before touring the school.
Superintendent Contreras will then visit Grant Middle School, HW Smith K-8, Corcoran High School and Clary Middle School. Commissioner King is scheduled to visit Corcoran at 10:15 a.m. and Clary at 11 a.m. with the Superintendent.
"Superintendent Contreras is bringing an exciting new energy to Syracuse schools," said Commissioner King. "I look forward to spending time with her and Syracuse's teachers and students as they return to the classroom for another year of teaching and learning. My message to the students is simple: Work hard. Get smart," added King.
Contreras replaces Dan Lowengard, who retired at the end of the last school year.
