School Marks 100 Years Of Excellence

Educators, supporters and parents currently or previously connected to P.S. 88 gathered at the Ridgewood school on Sunday, Sept. 21 to celebrate its 100th anniversary. P.S. 88 Principal Linda China is shown addressing the crowd during the event. Celebrating a milestone provides a chance for one to reflect on their history, and all those involved in the P.S. 88 community through the years took a long look back while celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Ridgewood school's founding on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Educators past and present along with parents of children who passed through the doors of the Seneca School in recent decades joined current teachers, administrators and elected officials to mark the day when students first entered the school situated at the corner of Catalpa Avenue (then known as Elm Avenue) and Fresh Pond Road in September 1908.

Evidence of the school's history, as well as that of the neighborhood it serves, were on display throughout the school for all to see. In one wing of the facility, attendees viewed photographs of places of interest in the greater Ridgewood area as well as old roll books and class photographs dating back several generations.

Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (center) also presented a proclamation to P.S. 88 principal China on the occasion of the Ridgewood school's 100th anniversary. They are pictured along with former P.S. 88 principal Matthew Bromme. Hundreds of colorful art projects created by current P.S. 88 students were plastered on the stage of the school auditorium where the official ceremony took place. At the heart of the display was a tree with painted handprints taking the place of leaves and a plaque on the trunk describing the school as "[a] great place to grow."

In celebrating that theme, Principal Linda China noted that P.S. 88 has also achieved a century of excellence, giving credit not only to the students and teachers who work together but also parents, elected officials and other supporters who contributed their talents and services in a variety of ways.

"I know we're a school of excellence because everyday, when I walk these halls, I see dedicated educators working hard to meet the needs of our children," China said. "But the school can't do the job alone. We have community leaders who work effortlessly year after year" to help P.S. 88 achieve success.

In celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of P.S. 88, City Council Member Anthony Como and State Sen. Serphin Maltese presented faculty members of the Ridgewood school with proclamations from their respective legislative bodies. They are pictured along with (from left to right) Lisa Martinez, president of the P.S. 88 Parent-Teacher Association; teacher Audrey Glass; principal Linda China; and Peter Cardella, chairman of the nearby Peter Cardella Senior Center. The first classes were held at P.S. 88 on Sept. 8, 1908, with Jacob Rohrbach serving as its first principal. The original schoolhouse, a four-story brick building with 36 classrooms that cost the city $235,000 to build, was built over the course of three years on the southern end of a family farm.

As the years went on and the population in the area grew, the existing structure couldn't accommodate the growing number of students attending the facility. In recent years, extensions were built on the eastern and western sides of the schoolhouse to provide children with the proper facilities and additional class space.

The physical change of the school, however, was outnumbered by the many social changes experienced by all members of the P.S. 88 community in its 100 years of existence. Teacher Audrey Glass, who has taught at the campus for nearly 40 years, reflected on the times which the school stood through, from two World Wars to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

In the end, it even outlasted New York's two current Major League ballparks, Glass stated, pointing to the impending demise of Yankee Stadium (which hosted its final home game later that night) and Shea Stadium.

"This building is enduring thanks to the support of" the school community, Glass said. "Not only do I salute the people, but the building as well. It is a cornerstone in our community."

Parents of children who have attended or currently attend P.S. 88 also took the opportunity to thank the teachers and administrators who through the years provided their youngsters with the education and guidance needed to achieve later success. Among them was Patricia Grayson, a Glendale resident who sent her two children to the Ridgewood elementary school.

"All of you played a special part in helping my children be who they are today," she said. "They're great because they came here."

Two former P.S. 88 principals also reflected on their times during the ceremony. Matthew Bromme, who led the Seneca School for 4 1/2 years, noted that he first came to the elementary after serving as an educator in public middle schools.

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Though such a transition in grades could be challenging, Bromme said the assistance the school community provided him the opportunity "to learn about how to be a principal and an educator."

Following him was Dr. Ellen Margolin, who served as principal of P.S. 88 for 13 years before her retirement in 2004. She called her time at the school a "labor of love," noting that she still returns from time to time to visit with students and teachers and take part in various programs.

"We have seen it all, done it all," she said. "The people of this building are a product of that."

Modernization efforts were made with grants provided to P.S. 88 by local elected officials, the principal said. In recent years, the school was the recipient of a stateof the-art computer lab as well as a scanned checkout system for its library. Administrators were also able to launch an enhanced arts program.

China presented awards of appreciation to some of those who helped the school achieve these grants, including State Sen. Serphin Maltese, City Council Member Anthony Como and Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan. Peter Cardella, the chairman of the Peter Cardella Senior Center, was also recognized for the facility's intergenerational partnership with P.S. 88.

The center also hosted a reception for attendees following the centennial ceremony.

While receiving the honors, Como, Maltese and Nolan presented China with proclamations from their respective legislatures marking the school's centennial. In presenting a City Council proclamation on behalf of himself and Council Member Diana Reyna (who represents the western section Ridgewood), Como hailed the administrators and teachers who promoted community involvement among their students.

Maltese, who stated that he visits P.S. 88 more often than other schools in his district, expressed his pride in the achievements of students who show off their talents in a variety of plays, recitals and other programs held at the school annually. Nolan added that the success P.S. 88 achieved was the result of the leadership it has had through the years.