MILWAUKEE — Students at Seifert Elementary School received a rock-star welcome Monday morning as they returned to classes following a summer of lead-remediation work at the Milwaukee Public Schools facility.
The first day of school featured cheers, pom-poms, bubbles and high fives as community members rolled out the red carpet for students, some still shaking off summer sleep.
"This is our future," said Judge Derek Mosley, who has adopted Seifert Elementary.
Mosley said the celebration was designed to show students they belong in their community.
"People who look like them. They have police officers, firefighters, judges, all here to support them, to let them know that we're behind them," Mosley said.
The school underwent extensive cleaning this summer after lead was discovered in Milwaukee Public Schools buildings. Principal Deirdre Lafford said the celebration marked a fresh start.
"I'm looking forward to the children; it was a long summer with the process of cleaning the building with the lead. It was a long process, so I'm ready for the children to get the learning started and the experiences," Lafford said.
Watch: Milwaukee elementary school celebrates first day with red-carpet welcome
Students, teachers and community members said the welcome celebration sent a message that every child matters.
"We want them to feel as if they belong to a part of this community," Mosley said.
Lafford emphasized the school's family atmosphere and tradition.
"We are a family here at Seifert. We have a family tradition. Generations of families come here to Seifert. We welcome our students with love and open arms, ready to get to the learning," Lafford said.
The principal's message to students was simple: "Work hard, get smart!"
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