Gee speaks on first day of Metro schools

by Tara S. Donahue

Chancellor E. Gordon Gee spoke at a welcoming assembly for parents at Carter Lawrence Elementary School Aug. 17, to help kick off Metro Nashville's new academic year.

Vanderbilt University joined Metro government, area businesses and Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell for the inaugural First Day Festival. In support of the program, these entities encouraged staff members to take time off from work to accompany their children on the first day of school.

Principal Melba Jean Boyd introduced Gee and described Vanderbilt as the school's "neighbor down the road." Carter Lawrence Elementary School is located a few blocks east of the University at the corner of Edgehill and Eighth avenues.

After asking how many parents were sending their child off to school for the first time, Gee admitted that when he first took his daughter to school, he "cried like a baby." His daughter, now 24, is a medical student. Gee joked that once their children go off to college and then return home, the parents would again be shredding tears.

"We cannot have great universities without great public schools," said Gee. "And parents are a very important part of that process."

He said that Vanderbilt would see many parents dropping their children off to college over the next few weeks.

Cathy Snyder, a senior accounting manager in Contract and Grant Accounting, said that she has taken her children to their first day of class every year, and was pleased that Vanderbilt participated in the new program.

"The difference this year is the knowledge that top management at Vanderbilt also supports and encourages this effort," she said.

This year, Snyder helped her son, Josh, adjust to being a first-grader at Mountain View Elementary School. She wanted to make sure he was comfortable in his new surroundings, and to set up a direct line of communication with his teacher. After getting Josh settled, Snyder and her husband went to the gymnasium where the principal spoke about new programs the school plans to implement during the academic year.

"It was a great opportunity to meet the principal and ask questions," Snyder said. "I wasn't worried about my child and was able to concentrate 100 percent on my work."

Programs like these, Snyder said, "sends a message that education and family are a priority."