MPS teachers, staff kick off new year for International Baccalaureate schools

MILWAUKEE -- School starts next week for some Milwaukee Public Schools students -- and on Wednesday, August 10th the superintendent kicked off the new year by sharing her vision for the future with their teachers.

Teachers cheered inside the auditorium at Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School. They were celebrating the start of the new year at MPS' International Baccalaureate Schools.

In the crowd were faces from Reagan High School, Rufus King, Pulaski and Alba School. The event began by recognizing accomplishments.

The Rufus King cheerleaders took the state title this past year. Then, a student's speech brought a standing ovation.

"MPS doesn't just teach the common core. It gives us something more important than that -- hope," said Zora Allison, Rufus King student.

The festivities were followed by business.

MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver called on the teachers -- at schools leading the way in the district and in the nation -- to set an example for others.

"It's going to take a lot of grit, a lot of determination, a lot of hard work," said Driver.

Driver shared her vision for the future -- which includes expanding MPS arts and athletics programs, improving math scores, and closing the education gap between students of different races.

Dr. Darienne Driver is Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools.

"Our biggest challenge is that we have not effectively educated our students of color, we have got to fix that," said Driver.

Her final message...

"It's going to take everybody in this room," said Driver.

All teachers and students will be back at MPS` IB schools on Monday, August 15th for their first day of the school year.

The school year for most Milwaukee Public Schools students begins on September 1st.