Photo by Daniela Beasley
The new school year is underway, and for the kids who attend Public School 56 in Norwood, that means taking advantage of a new addition to their school that has been under construction since 2014.
“They were over at a different school for first and second grade before the construction was finished,” Denise Gonzalez, a parent, said referring to her children who now attend PS 56. For a time, students were relocated to 3177 Webster Ave., a co-located school.
“I’m so happy that our kids are over here again. I graduated from here, this is our school,” Gonzalez added.
Construction began two years ago and was completed for the beginning of the current school year, according to a quarterly report by the School Construction Authority, the agency tasked to build the annex.
PS 56 now has a new library, a so-called “gymatorium” (a facility doubling as a gymnasium and auditorium), kitchen, cafeteria, multi-purpose room, a music room, medical suites, and art and science resource rooms. Along with the new amenities, a new early childhood playground and a schoolyard are now available for students.
“Everything is great and the new principal is wonderful,” said Kathy Fortys, watching her son and friends make use of the new schoolyard. “I only have good things to say about how it turned out.”
The new wing also provides 428 additional seats for the school, an attractive feature for parents who view PS 56 as the preferred school for the area, according to parent Bonnie Mangual. According to a 2015 survey completed by the New York City Department of Education, parents and students consider PS 56 an above average school.
“Everybody knows it; it’s been here for forever. Even I went to this school,” Mangual said while picking up her daughter. “I think the more space will be good. Space has always been an issue and now we can have more kids come into the school that want to.”
Editor’s Note: PS 56’s new phone number is (718) 920-1100.
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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.
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I think the norwood news should have made clear that these 428 seats are not additional seats. This covers the original mini portable building that once housed their lower grades (their iconic mint green portable) So what they should clarify is the school is finally united in one building!
I attended PS 56 right up to the 6th grade and then on to JHS 80 and on to HS. I started there in 1956. My older sisters also went there. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Knovac. I have fond memories of PS 56 and the 2 school yards and the handball court, basketball hoops. I’m still in touch with girls I went to school with those many years ago.
This is the best school ever I am in 4 grade and I am 10 anyone who needs to sent there child to school through grades k-1-2-3-4-5 I want to stay in this school forever