Philadelphia Charter School Rings In New School Year

By Justin Udo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Believe it or not, summer is almost over, and that means both children and parents are getting ready for back-to-school. Some area students are already saying goodbye to the playground and hello to the classroom.

Surrounded by nearly one-hundred 8th grade students wearing hard hats to symbolize they were ready to get back to work, officials at First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School in Bridesburg ceremoniously rang a bell on Monday to mark the start of the school day and the beginning of the school year.

Many of the students say they have different goals this year.

"I just want to get better at math," said one student, "and have a positive attitude."

"I've heard that you get to dissect stuff," another said, "so I want to do all that."

"Graduating," said one 8th grader, "and being able to learn new things."

And their teachers are expecting them to put their best foot forward.

"The overall expectations for the students here at First Philly and for students everywhere is that we all improve academically, that we soar academically and that we continue to move forward in excellence."

Judging by the proud smiles of the parents who were on hand for the first day of school festivities, it was easy to tell they were almost as excited as the kids.

"It's amazing," one parent said. "I like the first day and coming back."

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