This browser does not support the Video element.
Back to school in the City of Milwaukee
Back to school in the City of Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It was big day for many kids and their parents in Milwaukee on Tuesday -- the first day of school.
At Garland Elementary on the city's far south side, many of the kids were accompanied by parents taking pictures or just walking them in.
“I got butterflies in my stomach. They`re back to school, I`m kind of happy as a mom because they`re back in school so I think they`ll love it, so I`m excited for them. They get to learn,” said Marilyn Vela, a parent of twins who attend Garland Elementary.
“Exciting, nervous,” parent Nicole Forster said of her feelings about dropping her daughter off at school for the first day. “She's going to be in school all day today so it’s going to be 7:40 to 2:20 so she won`t be at home with me today she`ll be at school.”
But many parents didn't just drop their kids off -- they stayed for the annual bell ringing event that was held at Garland Tuesday morning.
City, state and school leaders, like Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Superintendent Dr. Gregory Thornton and Gov. Scott Walker led the crowd as they rang bells and walked around the school, and around the neighborhood.
Gov. Walker said he has high hopes for this new school year.
“One of the best things we can have particularly here in Milwaukee is attendance and reading. If kids show up every day, there are great teacher`s great staff great schools here. If kids are coming to school they`re going to get a great education,” said Gov. Walker.
Tuesday was the first day of class for those MPS schools with a traditional calendar year. A few other schools in the district started last month.