Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Forest Hills Children Kick Off the New School Year

By Nigel Chiwaya | September 6, 2012 1:02pm

FOREST HILLS — Children in Forest Hills traded video games for text books Thursday morning, heading back to classes for the first day of school.

The scene was vibrant at P.S. 196 The Grand Central Parkway School at 71-25 113th St., as parents arrived early to drop off their kids and as children ran to greet friends.

Judy Nunez said her two children, Kelly, 10 and Brian, 8, were so ready for the first day that couldn't fall asleep the night before. "They're very excited," said Nunez, who was with her husband Andrea. "They didn't sleep all night. Neither did we."

Several parents that arrived carried shopping bags with school supplies for the upcoming year. "Everyone's gotta be prepared to learn," said one parent, Russ Kleinberg as he carried bags with his daughter Sophie, 8.

Betty Ortiz was happy as she walked her son Gabriel, 6, on his first day of first grade. "We're excited and relieved that he's got a routine again," said Ortiz, who was accompanied by her husband Camilo.

Gabriel didn't share the enthusiasm. When Betty asked if he was excited, Gabriel, who spent the summer in camp, pouted and said "Not too excited."

"He wants to stay at home and play on his iPad," Camilo said.