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Buffalo school leader declares “Year of Instruction”

WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley

The Buffalo Public School District kicked-off a brand new school year Thursday. More than 30-thousand students attend city schools. City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash appeared with students at Leonardo Da Vinci High School on the D’Youville College Campus on Buffalo’s west side.  Cash has declared the 2018-19 school year as the “Year of Instruction.”

“Our focus this year is going to be on ensuring that we strong instruction in every classroom, in every subject – deep – engaging – rigorous course content in every subject for every student and high, high expectations for every student, every day, throughout the year,” Cash declared.

Cash was joined by Da Vinci students, school leaders and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, New York State Senator Tim Kennedy, Buffalo Board of Education president Barbara Seals-Nevergold, and Jennifer Mecozzi, West School Board member. 

Seals-Nevergold encouraged students to think of the new school year as a “new beginning”, calling it an exciting day.

“But I want you to thing ceasing every opportunity, overcoming ever challenge that you reach or that you meet,” said Seals-Nevergold.

D’Youville College president Dr. Lorrie Clemo also appeared with school leaders.  The college has been providing course work for Da Vinci students, but now more is being added. Clemo announced a new partnership with Da Vinci. It will allow students to earn college credits through health science.    

“We are celebrating an emerging partnership that we are embarking on with the Buffalo Public Schools. This partnership will not only prepare students for college, but will allow students to explore promising careers in the health sciences while earning college credits. Participating students will be able to earn a certificate or an associate degree while in high school in the high demand, health care fields,” Clemo explained.  

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
D’Youville College president Dr. Lorrie Clemo.

Clemo noted, by next year, they expect to launch an Early College program at Da Vinci that will allow students to focus on health care careers.

Superintendent Cash said Da Vinci students follow rigorous academics and has a 94-percent graduation rate.

“Students take courses at D’Youville College, but they’re transferable throughout colleges and universities in the region,” Cash noted.

Credit WBFO News photo by Eileen Buckley
Da Vinci principal Gregory Lodinsky.

Da Vinci principal Gregory Lodinsky was thrilled to have the school district kick-off the school year by highlighting the success of his students and great diversity at the school.   

“Da Vinci is a special place, founded on the strength of our diversity and the strength of the incredible teachers that we have here and also the core principles of kindness, courtesy, dignity and respect,” Lodinsky remarked. “I’ve got butterflies in my stomach because it’s the first day of school and it’s such a great thrill every year – it never goes away."

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