GothamSchools — daily independent reporting on NYC public schools

It’s not just children who are heading back to school today. Every year, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein takes reporters on a five-borough tour of the first day of school. Anna reported to the press van outside Tweed Courthouse at 6:45 a.m. and will be filing dispatches all day. 

Quote of the day: Asked (again) about his position on swine flu by a television reporter, Klein said, “I’m against it.”

A class at Staten Island Tech

2 p.m.: Classes are buzzing at Staten Island Tech, a specialized high school with about 1,000 students. Principal Vincent Maniscalco said the school had weathered the budget cuts easily because enrollment is up since last year. In fact, he said, the school was able to hire seven teachers to replace teachers who retired last year. The school also hired a grant writer last year when it became clear cuts were coming down the pike, Maniscalco said.

Department of Education officials corralled a group of student government members to talk to Klein. David Pfuhler, 17, president of the senior class, said Staten Island Tech has improved in recent years. Comparing it to the city’s other specialized schools, he said, “It’s in the same league, but the style of teaching is different. It’s a friendlier school to learn in.” Another student said the school had seen a recent influx of Brooklynites.

1:35 p.m. Off to Staten Island Tech now. Anna’s the only reporter remaining, so should any major news drop in Richmond County this afternoon, check here for an exclusive.

1:30 p.m.: Nearly every classroom at IS 220 in Sunset Park has an electronic SmartBoard, Anna reports. Principal Loretta Witek said she bought them with the money the state gives to schools it says are in need of improvement. JHS 220 got off that list this year, so there won’t be more money. “I used the money wisely when I had it,” Witek said.

Witek said the budget cuts haven’t hit her school too hard — yet. Witek excessed one teacher over the summer, and she said she’s worried about sustaining after school programs. “I have to see how my budget falls out,” she said.

12:45 p.m. After losing most of its members in Manhattan, the press corps is off to Brooklyn now, where the three remaining reporters will visit IS 220. The latest news is that kids will be bringing home letters about swine flu in their backpacks tonight. (more…)