PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s the first day of school for students in the School District of Philadelphia.
Superintendent Tony Watlington and Mayor Jim Kenney, along with other district and school officials, joined in on a welcome celebration Monday morning at Dunbar School, near Temple University’s campus.
They high-fived the students as they walked into the building, while Temple student-athletes and coaches also offered their support.
Eighth-grader Marcus Brown was a little nervous, but overall he’s focused on having a great year.
“I’m looking forward to getting good grades, achieving and accomplishing my goals. That’s really all,” he said.
Notably, the district is requiring masks for all for the first 10 days of the school year. Masks could be brought back if the community transmission level becomes high.
Watlington said masks will go a long way in limiting learning disruptions, which have become all too familiar during the pandemic.
“We think that it’s really important to keep our kids in school. And to the extent that we can take steps that will help to do that, we want to do that,” he said.
Related
As educators, Dunbar principal Daniel Mina said they’re ready.
“We use the summertime to, of course, recharge our batteries but also to reflect. The first day gives us a chance to turn that reflection into action,” he said.