Release #333-00

 

Contact:

Sunny Mindel/Michael Anton (212) 788-2958

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani welcomed New York City Schools Chancellor Harold O. Levy, students from District 3 and NYCHA's Partners in Reading program, their parents and teachers, as well as Partners in Reading center directors and NYCHA administrators to Gracie Mansion this morning to celebrate the start of the 2000-2001 school year. The Mayor was also joined at the annual "Back to School" breakfast by Deputy Mayor Anthony Coles, CUNY Trustee Herman Badillo, and Board of Education members Ninfa Segarra, Irene Impellizzeri, and Jerry Camarata.

The roughly 200 students attending the breakfast were invited because of their exemplary attendance records. Half of the students were participants in the Partners in Reading program, while the other half attend schools in Manhattan's District 3.

"Every fall, we gather here to celebrate student achievement, and to recommit ourselves to making great strides together in the new school year," Mayor Giuliani said. "Strong attendance is key to achievement, because the more time you're in class, the more you can learn. All of the children and their parents here today understand that, and I commend your commitment to learning."

The New York City Housing Authority's Partners in Reading Program is an after-school literacy program offered in more than 100 NYCHA facilities. The entirely voluntary program operates throughout the school year as well as in the summer. The Partners in Reading students attending today's breakfast all had summer attendance records of 90% or better. The students from District 3 attend Public Schools 75, 166, 84, 163, 165, 241. They all had strong attendance records, and all passed their summer school tests and were promoted to the next grade.

The 2000-2001 school year opens citywide on Thursday, September 7, 2000.