Photo: James Rojas (WBZ)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Public Schools teachers welcomed students back to the classroom on the first day of the new school year Thursday.
Teachers at Mildred Avenue K-8 School in Mattapan cheered and held signs as kids made their way inside the school, one of several BPS buildings that have been upgraded with new resources.
"These are very long overdue changes that were needed," Boston Teachers Union President Jessica Tang told WBZ NewsRadio.
Upgrades include new desks, white boards, paper, books, and other resources. The most welcome change in the midst of the lingering summer heat is in the installation of air conditioning systems to most BPS schools.
"The good news is the vast majority of schools that we visited do have the A/C in place and they are so relieved," Tang said. "It makes such a difference. The heat is no longer a distraction and they are able to actually focus on their learning, and so the amount of progress that’s been made in the last few years is, I think, extremely significant and worth noting."
Tang told WBZ that although 14 schools still do not have A/C at the moment (fans have been brought in and windows opened), the City of Boston and Boston Public Schools have been responsive to their issues.
"It’s going to be tough, obviously, and we want to see 100 percent done," said Tang.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok