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In support of First Day of School President Raymond Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. Medical University of South Carolina 171 Ashley Ave. Charleston, S.C. Dear Ray: I am writing to ask you to join me, the City of Charleston and the Charleston County School District in supporting a very important initiative for our community, the First Day of School. This is a communitywide celebration of education that encourages parents to take their children to school on the first day. On Sunday, Aug. 19, we will welcome thousands of parents, students, teachers and volunteers to Liberty Square at the S.C. Aquarium for the Fifth Annual First Day Festival. Last year more than 7,000 children and families enjoyed free school supplies, educational information, entertainment, food, boat rides and $1 admission to the S.C. Aquarium. The success of the First Day Festival during the past four years is a result of collaborative partnerships and extraordinary community support.   This initiative has been very successful in giving children a great beginning to their school year and celebrating those who teach and influence them. It provides the opportunity for parents to connect with their children and their school by welcoming them into the classroom. The level of success in this depends heavily on the willingness of employers to give parents time off from work to participate in their child's education. I encourage you to offer your employees this opportunity to take their children to school and participate in the activities planned for the start of the new school year.   I am asking you to make a commitment to the First Day of School Initiative. There are several ways you can help. Encourage your employees to attend the festival on Sunday; provide time off for them to take their children to school on the first day; and support education throughout the year by allowing employees time off to participate in activities at their child's school.   The best way to connect to our school is to be there from the beginning and focus attention on the importance of the school in our community. Please join me in making education the most important work for our community. I am counting on your support for the First Day of School Initiative. Thank you. Most sincerely, Joseph P. Riley Jr. Mayor, City of Charleston     Friday, Aug. 17, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.