Brooklyn public schools are back in session, so kids across the borough donned their backpacks and new outfits and headed off for their first day of classes on Sept. 4.
One Bay Ridge parent said the first day at PS 102 made her realize her daughter Michelle Partigul is officially growing up — meaning the first day of first grade was exciting and emotional for both of them.
“She is in first grade — it is not kindergarten,” said Mariya Bugayenko. “She said, ‘Mom, I’m a little nervous, but excited.’ ”
The little tyke she has close friends in her class who she hasn’t seen much over the summer vacation, Bugayenko said.
“Three of her buddies are in her class,” she said. “They’re really bored over the summer.”
For Kristian Hofeller, she was the one feeling anxious as she dropped off her son Krisztian for kindergarten at PS 132 in Williamsburg.
“I was kind of nervous,” said Hofeller. “Go figure too — 26 years in the military and I’m nervous about my kid’s first day at school.”
Sara Shapiro was nervous too when dropping off her daughter Sofia Shapiro-Cruz to start fourth grade at PS 132, but it wasn’t first-day jitters. She’s dreading the increased pressure her daughter faces this year from high-stakes testing and tougher Common Core standards.
“I’ve never seen an 8-year-old have a nervous breakdown — I don’t want to go through that again this year,” said Shapiro. “I’m having really specific problems with Common Core in the lower grades. Maybe when children are in middle school, high school — but not elementary school.”
DRESSED FOR SUCCESS: First-grader Kaylani Lipes is already hitting the books before her first day at PS 222 in Marine Park.
Photo by Steve Solomonson
BACKPACKERS: Johane Dormeus with her sons before their first day of school. Four-year-old Jayson Leonhardt is starting prekindergarten and his brother Jarmaine Severe is starting second grade at PS 222 in Marine Park.
Photo by Steve Solomonson
ONE LAST HUG: Brihana Salazar gives her mom Liliane a squeeze before the first day of school at PS 48 in Bensonhurst.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
FLOWER POWER: In Brighton Beach, Dasha Osipova brought flowers for her teacher at PS 225.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
BIG MAN ON CAMPUS: Mayor DeBlasio’s son Dante is just one of the kids as he strolls into Brooklyn Technical High School in Fort Greene to start his senior year.
Photo by Paul Martinka
LINE OF THE TIMES: Teenagers, some of them emulating Fort Greene’s artist set with their flannel, floral print, and iced coffees, wait for the opening bell to ring at Brooklyn Tech.
Photo by Paul Martinka
IN YOU GO: A police officer directs whippersnapper traffic outside Brooklyn Tech.
Photo by Paul Martinka
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER: Classmates Amaya Franklin and Samantha Waller are excited to stroll into their first day of second grade at Brooklyn Roots Charter School in Fort Greene.
Photo by Paul Martinka
DON’T BLINK OR YOU’LL MISS IT: Reeve Collins offers a high-five ahead of his first day of third grade at PS 10 in Park Slope. They grow up so fast!
Photo by Elizabeth Graham
SO GOOD TO SEE YOU: In Park Slope Jasper Robicheaud and Zoe Barrett-Kahn hug each other outside PS 10.
Photo by Elizabeth Graham
TRAFFIC JAM: Parents and kids swarm PS 10 on the morning of the big day.
Photo by Elizabeth Graham
READY AS SHE’LL EVER BE: Mariya Bugayenko takes her daughter Michelle to PS 102 in Bay Ridge for her first day of first grade.
Photo by Steven Schnibbe
LOTS TO LEARN: Brian Doherty bids his daughter Abagail farewell as she sets sail into second grade at PS 102.
Photo by Steven Schnibbe
Don’t go: Before heading into kindergarten at PS 132 in Williamsburg, Krisztian gives his dad, Kristian Hofeller, one last hug.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Ready to learn: Students Frankie and Chico Ryan-Kennedy strike a pose with principal Beth Lubeck before their first day at Williamsburg’s PS 132.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
Totally, dude: Over in Bay Ridge, Miles Hooper gives PS 264 a big thumbs up.
