P.S. 222 Fire Fighter Christopher A. Santora School

PS 222 is an early childhood school serving pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade. It opened in 2002 and is named after a fire fighter who died on 9/11. Each year on that date children take a walk to honor the fire fighter, wearing red hats and t-shirts with his image [see photo from school website].

In addition to traditional classes, the school offers a dual-language program with instruction in Spanish and English on alternate days and begins in pre-kindergarten. All children receive lessons in music, theater and the visual arts. A resident artist works with classes as part of a program called Studio in a School.

The school has small "enrichment" classes, led by teachers based on their skills and passions. Children choose a theme from an array of choices. The faculty includes 14 classroom teachers, and other teachers who specialize in non-core subjects like drama, music and gym, as well as an English as a Second Language teacher, a speech teacher, a literacy coach and a special education teacher who works with children in their regular classrooms.

On the Learning Environment Survey, most teachers say order and discipline are maintained, yet 57 percent say there isn't a person or program to help students resolve conflicts.

There is no formal schoolyard, so a second-floor roof outfitted with climbing equipment doubles as a playground. The multi-purpose room serves as a gym, lunchroom, auditorium and special events venue.

Special education: The building is accessible to students who use wheelchairs. Students with special needs, including a handful from District 75, a citywide district for children with disabilities, are included in general education classes. There is a self-contained classroom for children with serious special needs.

Admissions: Neighborhood school. There is a waiting list for the pre-K program. After 2nd grade, students move on to other elementary schools in the area including PS 69, PS 212 and PS 149. (Lydie Raschka, web reports and school data, August 2014)