Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carmen Farina Kick Off UPK at Inner Force Tots

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Sept. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- On Thursday, September 4^th, 2014, to mark the first day of school, Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Farina visited schools across all five boroughs. To launch the historic expansion of Pre-K to more than 50,000 children, the Mayor and NYC Schools Chancellor made their first stop to welcome new pre-K students and their families at Inner Force Tots. Speaking at Inner Force, with emotion Mayor de Blasio talked about what these programs mean to him and First Lady Chirlane McCray. “For Chirlane and I, this is a moment of fulfillment; a dream we’ve had for a long time coming,” he said. Ms. McCray also shared her emotions, “I’m a little shaky and teary because this moment means so much for these children.” The elected officials in attendance noted that the Inner Force site was a prime example of pre-K's potential. Inner Force had 98 enrolled in pre-K last year--this year it has 145.

“We are building a new and better foundation for our children and our city. This is a monumental moment in the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families. It has taken the dedication of an untold number of educators, parents and activists to bring us to this moment. We fought and we pushed so hard because we believed our families could not and should not wait. And today, the dream of Pre-K for All becomes a reality in New York City,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“On the first day of school, we learn that anything is possible,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “While we’ve been hard at work all summer preparing and supporting our students and school staff, today we get back to work building the future of our City—giving our children the great education that will put them on the path to college, valuable careers, and a lifetime of learning. And as a lifelong educator, I am so proud that we are giving tens of thousands more children a stronger foundation on which to build.”

“No city has ever attempted what New York City is doing today. This is a transformative opportunity that will lift up kids in every community—from East New York, where I was born and raised, to the South Bronx and the Upper West Side. We are building something that reaches not just the lucky few, but every child,” said Deputy Mayor Richard Buery.

“This is a tremendous day for New York City. Thousands of kids will be going off to pre-K today, many of whom never had access to this critical program before. Pre-K has a proven positive impact on children—both in and out of the classroom—and it cannot be overstated. In the long-term, this will have the potential to dramatically reduce poverty and income inequality. I would like to thank Mayor de Blasio for his leadership as we begin this historic school year,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

“The first day of school is always an exciting time, but this year, it’s doubly exciting because New York City has accomplished what many said couldn’t be done—to provide high-quality universal pre-kindergarten,” said City Council Education Committee Chairman Daniel Dromm. “Mayor Bill de Blasio and Chancellor Carmen Fariña deserve full credit for making this happen. I am confident that we are on the path to true educational reform.”

"We have to be real about where we are...there's a pathway to correctional facilities bred right here in this community,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. But Adams said pre-K offered a safe haven from the streets. "Children can walk in and feel they deserve it. [They] deserve to be treated with dignity and respect...this is the experience many kids don't get in central Brooklyn. The mayor has planted seeds of hope."