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New meets familiar on MPS’s first day of school
State Superintendent high-fives a young Lincoln Avenue School student on the first day of school, September 1, 2026.
  • Community Story
 

Tens of thousands of MPS students started the new school year on Tuesday and, as always, they navigated a mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar. That was especially true for Lincoln Avenue School students, who this year relocated to a portion of Pulaski High School. 

“It was like getting on a bike again. You know that you know how to ride it. It’s a new bike and it has a couple of different mechanisms, but it worked out. The kids, as long as they see us, they’re like, ‘We’re safe. Miss Ayala’s here, the parent coordinator, my teacher,’” said Lincoln Avenue School Principal Damaris Ayala. 

Because an accidental fire destroyed Lincoln Avenue School on June 30, students and staff were moved to dedicated areas within Pulaski — with their own entrances, classrooms, cafeteria, and offices. The space was large enough to keep the school’s entire student body and  staff together this school year; it also was closest to their old school. Since the fire, the Milwaukee community and district partners rallied around Lincoln Avenue School, donating supplies and money.

On Tuesday, Lincoln Avenue students and staff were greeted by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, State Superintendent Jill Underly, school board President Missy Zombor, school board Director Mimi Reza, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, and others. They also visited with students and staff next door at Pulaski High School, 2500 W. Oklahoma Ave. 

Dr. Cassellius, President Zombor, Director Reza, and other district leaders toured MPS schools throughout the day, visiting with students and staff at U.S. Grant School, 2920 W. Grant St.; Forest Home Avenue School, 1516 W. Forest Home Ave.; Luther Burbank School, 6035 W. Adler St.; and Goodrich Elementary School, 8251 N. Celina St.

At Burbank, Dr. Cassellius  asked one classroom, “Are you all going to become good readers this year?” Yes, they answered. At Forest Home, she paused for a quick game of rock-paper-scissors with a 3rd-grader. 

Dr. Cassellius also took the opportunity to ask students what they wished they had in their schools. One student at Grant School suggested more touch-screen Chromebooks. 

“I appreciate you all, and I hope you have a really great year — and appreciate your teachers for the work they do,” Dr. Cassellius told the students.

Members of the senior class at Pulaski High School.
A Lincoln Avenue School student smiles as she arrives at school on the first day.
A Goodrich kindergarten teacher smiles at a student while they sit at a table.
A U.S. Grant student smiles among her classmates.
A young student at Forest Home Avenue School carries textbooks on the first day of classes.
A student raises his hand on the first day of classes at Burbank School.
Lincoln Avenue School Principal Damaris Ayala greets Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers just before students begin arriving on Day One.
A Goodrich teacher gets her young students up and moving in class on the first day.
Pulaski High School students arrive on the first day as leaders from the state Department of Public Instruction and Milwaukee Public Schools are lined up to greet them.
Kindergarten students at U.S. Grant School dance around with their teacher on the first day of school.
A Lincoln Avenue School student arrives by bus for Day One at the school's new location in Pulaski High School.
Pulaski Assistant Principal David Galarza, wearing a red Rams shirt and cap, greets students on Day One.
A Lincoln Avenue School student smiles and waves as she arrives on the first day of classes.
Milwaukee school board Director Mimi Reza holds the hand of a young student to escort the smiling girl into Lincoln Avenue School.
Superintendent Brenda Cassellius poses for a picture with 7th-grade teacher Craig Klover at U.S. Grant School on the first day of classes.
Lincoln Avenue School families walk their children to the school on the first day of classes within Pulaski High School.
Students raise their hands in class on Day One at Goodrich School.
A student bumps fists with Forest Home Avenue Principal Oscar Silva on the first day of school.
MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius plays a quick game of rock-paper-scissors with a student at Forest Home Avenue School on Day One.
A Forest Home Avenue School student smiles in class on the first day of school.
MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius greets staff on a tour of the school during the first day of classes.
A Burbank student smiles and waves in class on the first day of school.
  • Brenda Cassellius
  • Damaris Ayala
  • Jill Underly
  • Mayor Cavalier Johnson
  • Mimi Reza
  • Missy Zombor
  • Tony Evers
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