Baldwin UFSD Featured in Newsday’s First Day Coverage

Excerpt from article:

At Steele Elementary School in Baldwin, Principal LaTrace Finney said Wednesday her goal for this academic year was simple.

"When students walk into this building they feel loved, they feel valued," she said. "I really want to ensure that they have an amazing foundational experience when it comes to elementary school, because if we provide them with all the tools that they need to be successful, when they go off to middle school and high school, the sky's the limit."

The Baldwin district was one of 49 on Long Island that welcomed students back to school on Wednesday. Students in about three dozen districts started school on Monday and Tuesday; the remaining 37 districts will open their doors either Thursday or next week.

Students are resuming school at a time when the debate over technology use and screen time in the classroom has intensified. On Wednesday, New York City waded into the controversy by issuing a one-year moratorium on use of "student-facing" artificial intelligence for the elementary and middle school grades, and imposing screen time limits for students. Amid the growing concern over technology in schools, especially for young learners, Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she plans to study the issue.

There are bright spots as well: New state funding has expanded pre-K opportunities for about two-thirds of the Island's districts, part of a push to make early education universally available in the state. And amid a growing interest in the trades, some schools on the Island are rolling out new career and technical education classes.

But at Steele Elementary on Wednesday morning, Denise Perez's children had a more pressing concern on their mind — the end of vacation.

Perez, 37, is mom to a third grader and first grader. She said her children were not quite ready to say goodbye to their summer.

"They're excited to be back with their friends, and you know they're really comfortable here, but also they didn't want summer to end," she said.

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