First day of classes comes with a full slate of activities

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz helped inaugurate the indoor court at the Republic of Peru Montessori School on Loíza Street in San Juan in a joint event with the Education and Housing departments, and the Public Housing Administration.

By The Star Staff

The start of a new semester brought a slew of activities for students in Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

As classes began in public schools, the Traffic Safety Commission (CST by its initials in Spanish) held an event titled “Safe Hands, Safety in Every Step,” aimed at promoting children’s road safety and ensuring a safe school environment at Francisco Gonzalo “Pachín” Marín School in Arecibo, beginning at 9 a.m. The event was part of Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s “I Want My School” initiative.

CST Executive Director José “Memo” González emphasized the importance of the initiative. He said agency heads who have adopted schools would be present to address the specific needs of those institutions.

“The message is clear — a sensitive and decisive message for our children,” González said. “Today, I am joined by Rafael ‘Pachy’ Cruz, an assistant for the Puerto Rico National [basketball] Team who previously managed the Arecibo Capitanes and hails from this community. We are sending a positive message to our children, teaching staff, and non-teaching staff about the importance of emotional intelligence as students return to school.”

In alignment with public policy efforts to encourage positive, fair and healthy coexistence while promoting respect for others as a means to prevent violence, Justice Secretary Lourdes Gómez Torres announced Wednesday the adoption of 14 public schools as part of the “I Want My School” initiative. The Justice secretary noted that the effort includes support for improving school infrastructure and strengthening each school’s community throughout the academic year, reaffirming her commitment — and that of the public servants in the Department of Justice — to children, communities and education.

“Education, when paired with strong values and sufficient resources — including decent and well-equipped educational spaces — is the best way to develop responsible citizens who are aware of their rights and committed to their duties,” Gómez Torres said. “The well-being of our children and youth is a collective responsibility. Ensuring an optimal educational environment is a task we all share and one that we at the Justice Department are committed to, in order to support their full development.”

Puerto Rico Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz led visits and activities to mark the start of the 2025-2026 school year at the schools he and the Senate have adopted. Wednesday’s event included facility tours, inaugurations of infrastructure improvements, and meetings with students, teachers and school communities, reinforcing the Senate’s commitment to public education.

In his message, Rivera Schatz highlighted the importance of creating safe learning environments equipped with the necessary resources for students’ academic development.

“We want every school to be a place of opportunity, where every girl and boy receives the tools to grow, develop, and become good citizens,” he said. “This is the foundation for building a bright future for Puerto Rico.”

In close collaboration with the Autonomous Municipality of Juncos and its mayor, Alfredo “Papo” Alejandro Carrión, the Department of Education and the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA) made a significant impact at Alfonso Díaz Lebrón Middle School, focusing on the emotional health of its students as they welcomed the new school year.

Principal Irma Beltrán noted that ASSMCA will provide training workshops and discussions on emotional management for the 175 students and faculty throughout the upcoming academic year.