Welcome Back to School!

By Mayor Martin J. Walsh

On Thursday, September 8th, Boston Public Schools began classes for their first day of school. I hope BPS teachers, parents, and students have had a restful summer, and are excited to start another great school year. I know I’m excited — I visited Boston schools throughout the city on Thursday morning and afternoon, and welcomed students as they walked down the halls for their first day of classes.

We have a world-class public school system here in Boston, and world-class students. They excel both inside and outside of the classroom. I’ve seen their tremendous impact on their neighborhoods — volunteering and participating in their communities. And when these students graduate, they go on to represent the City of Boston all around the country and the world. As a City, our hearts swell with pride.

That’s why ensuring the highest quality of education is so important to our City. And that’s why we work hard to create a learning environment that best serves each and every one of our 56,000-plus students.

I want to thank our teachers — for the hard work you do all year, including preparation during the summer, to serve our students and families. Every day, you encourage the growth and development of our students. You believe in them, and help them realize their full potential. That kind of dedication is special and can make a difference in a student’s life.

I also want to thank our parents and guardians — for being strong pillars of support and voices of wisdom. You help our students grow and achieve in so many ways. You reinforce the lessons they learn in the classroom. Our students depend on your support for their own success as they move through their school years.

And most importantly, I want to thank our students — both returning and new. Thank you for the hard work you do every day, and for your willingness to learn new things and grow. Thank you for enriching our City in so many ways. As your Mayor, I have confidence in you and your abilities to do great things. I will always be by your side, and so will your teachers, mentors, and families.

I wish our students, parents, and families a fantastic school year filled with learning, adventures, and amazing experiences. I hope you all have a happy, healthy, and great year!