In Reply to: Re: P.S. 217, Friday, June 29, 1956 posted by Matty from Flatbush on Monday, February 10th 2025:

Matty, it was only recently that I found out (from an acquaintance who also went to 217), that in back of the 217 stage, there was a hidden staircase (used by maintenance), which went all the way to the 6th floor, where maintenance supplies were kept. The custodian at 217 had a very good job. I can't remember his name, but I used to see him directing the various buses, which would line up at 217 on Newkirk Avenue, at the end of the school day. Also, he was there to direct traffic whenever there were field trips, and we had to board buses.
Four the kindest teachers I had at 217 were Mrs. Hecht, Mrs. Dubron, Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. Wengraf. Some of the worst teachers were Mrs. Selco, Miss McNulty, Mr. Kaminsky, Mr. Shapiro, and Miss Kieselbach. There were a number of other teachers who were very good. Recently, an incident came to mind, when I read of the obituary of my cousin Phil, who attended 217 when I was there, but at a grade about two-three grades higher than myself. It must have been in the second grade, when I was in the now defunct school yard heading for Westminster Road. I think it was when they let us go home for lunch. All of a sudden, these two much larger students (bullies) for no reason at all, decided to pick a fight with me, and started chasing me at a high rate of speed toward the fence on Westminster Road. At the last moment, my cousin Phil (who was a tough guy), came out of nowhere (he was off to my left coming towards us), as he must have observed what was occurring. He literally knocked those two bullies on their respective tuchas' (behinds). I really owed a debt of gratitude to my cousin, as he saved the day. Years later, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and after the service, spent a career in the clothing/fashion industry. May his memory be for a blessing.

Reference ID: BK97242

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