Back to the books: Silver Spring Elementary School hosts year-round kick-off



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- It's back to the books Monday, August 4th for dozens of Milwaukee Public School students, as the year-round calendar kicks-off!

The celebrations started early at Silver Spring Elementary School -- the Milwaukee Public School chosen to host the year-round school kick-off.

“Silver Spring is on the move. We know this is a school that's making a tremendous amount of progress in such a short period of time,” said Dr. Darienne Driver, MPS Acting Superintendent.

Antonisha Malone is happy she and her 3rd grader were there for the celebrations and for the school year.

“This is a very good school. That's why I’m also excited. I used to go here,” said Malone.

Even with a solid history with the school, Malone is hoping for an even better future.

“I just hope things get better,” said Malone, “just by working with the kids, on every level, in every aspect.”

One of the ways MPS's year round schools plan to do that is by having parent coordinators in every school.

“We all believe that building relationships, positive relationships, between adults and our students is the most important thing that we can possibly do,” said Dr. Driver. "Parent coordinators will help make that happen."

After addressing all the students, teachers, parents and administrators, Acting Superintendent Driver was able to spend some time with the students in their classrooms on their first day.

Driver says it's one of the ways she plans to meet the district's goals for this school year is working closely with the students. She's starting it off on day one.

“I think this has to be a year we make monumental gains but continue to stay the course,” said Dr. Driver.

Driver says this is also "institute month" -- where the district is working with new educators, parent coordinators, school support teachers and principals. Schools on the traditional calendar start on September 4th.