By Jill Colvin and Nicole Bode
DNAinfo Staff
BRONX — Controversial new Schools Chancellor Cathie Black didn't waste any time after getting the green light from the state Monday, turning up at a Bronx elementary school just after 8 a.m. on Tuesday to read to students.
Black and Mayor Michael Bloomberg headed to P.S. 109 in the Bronx where they greeted parents and Black headed inside to read a book called "Caps for Sale" to a class of first graders.
Black dismissed the controversy swirling around her appointment and approval, telling reporters Tuesday, "that was yesterday, and today is today, and I'm the new chancellor."
Bloomberg echoed Black's confidence, saying, "It’s a good day for New York City and particularly for these kids. This is what this is all about. We’ve come a long way. I think we can go a lot further. And this is the future of America, right here."
Technically, current Schools Chancellor holds the seat until Jan. 3, but Black said, "I'm being eased in."
Black — whose time inside the classroom was barred to reporters — asked the students what they wanted to do when they grew up, according to P.S. 109 principal Amanda Blatter.
Blatter called her new boss "a natural teacher," and said that after seeing Black in action, she thought she was ready to take the helm despite criticism that she has no educational background.
"It was great to see her," Blatter said, adding that Black was "great with children. She told them to believe in themselves, and really wanted to get to know them, and asked them about their future and what they wanted to do."
"She said, 'this is new, this is my first day on the job and I'm nervous, just like you would be on your first day of school,'" Bladder said.
Black shared some of the students' answers to what they wanted to be when they grew up, saying "we had everything from a policeman to the man who brings out babies."
"It's very exciting for me," Black added.
Asked what her biggest challenge would be, she said, "The biggest challenge I face coming up is a reduced budget."
As Black gave her press conference following her school visit, an angry parent interrupted, demanding to know what Black planned to do about school closings and overcrowding issues.
Black responded coolly, "I'm not going to comment on specific things this morning. It is my first day and so I'll get to understand it. All of these things are very important and challenging questions, and we'll come up with what we believe are the right answers."
She headed back to Tweed after the hour-long visit, but is set to continue her schools tour throughout the coming weeks in a bid to meet with teachers, parents and principals that was heavily broadcast by the city's education department.
The DOE sent out a photo of Black on Twitter, calling her "Chancellor Black."
The PR offensive by the Education Department comes as Black's critics move closer to launching their legal assault on the city and the state in an attempt to stop Black from taking office.
City Councilman Charles Barron said his lawyers are continuing to meet Tuesday and are considering filing a restraining order Thursday.
Brooklyn Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries has also been in discussion with lawyers and expect to file before Jan. 1, a spokeswoman said.
More protests are also in the works. The Deny Waiver Coalition of parents, teachers plans to designate Thursday "Red Thursday – a day of outrage" and is asking parents, students and teachers to wear red and rally at the Tweed building.
Critics cite Black's lack of education experience and the vote by the state education department panel to deny Black the waiver.
Tammy Truesdale, who has a son in third grade at P.S. 109, said she was "very disappointed" that the mayor chose someone with no educational experience to lead city schools.
"It looks like we’re in a dictatorship. You can just make up the rules," she said of the selection process.
Mayra Martinez, who has a son in second grade at P.S. 109 and is also a volunteer there, was cautiously optimistic.
"Of course I’m concerned. But I still need to give a person a chance," said Martinez, 41, "I want to believe in a better future for our kids."
