Posted at: 09/04/2012 8:01 PM
Updated at: 09/04/2012 8:07 PM
By: Brittany Lewis

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Superintendent Munoz Greets Students on First Day

(ABC 6 News) -- Today was a big day for thousands of Rochester students. As many were settling in to their first day of school year, some were greeted by a surprise guest.

"Morning," said Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Michael Munoz.

Munoz spent Tuesday morning like many students in Rochester, waiting for the school bus to bring him to the first day of school. 

"Alright, here we go," he said while boarding a bus. 

Goodie bags in hand, he and a group of several surprised students boarded a bus. Among them was freshman Sarah Bontrager.

"I was kind of scared, like nervous, ya know, but I thought it was kind of cool," she said.

Once on board, the bus stopped at Mayo High School where Munoz got off to welcome students.

Then, he made several more stops including Willow Creek Middle School, Bamber Valley Elementary, Gage Elementary, and finally, Elton Hills Elementary School.

"It's a good opportunity for me to kind of experience what the students are expiring from the bus ride all the way to school and feel the excitement that they're having for their first day," said Munoz.

This school year, is Superintendent Munoz's 2nd year with the district; a district that has over 16,000 students and more than 2,000 staff members. This year he plans to build on the relationships he created last year to help the district move forward.

"Our number one goal is making sure that we meet the needs of all of our students and making sure that we give them all the skills and the support they need so that they can be successful," he added.

And while many students focus on the first day. "I hope it's fun," said Bontrager.

Superintendent Munoz is concentrating on the future.

"I'm looking forward to turning the corner and I think we're on the verge of doing some great things here as a system."

Kindergartners start school on Thursday.