Jhs 74 Nathaniel Hawthorne

The best school for my children, the teachers are excellent and as parents I can be sure that our children are safe at school.and very grateful for everything my children have learned.

I was a student at this school from 1961 to 1967! In those days the teachers were the cream of the crop. They were necessarily strict because the students needed to learn discipline… however they were FAIR. There were a few standouts who were very compassionate towards the students and open with their parents, which was a very progressive way to be in the early 60s! We were made to work, but we LEARNED! I firmly believe I am the person I am today due to the education I received at PS 26.

This school has left me with lasting trauma regarding my child’s safety. In 2019, my four year old son was able to leave by himself undetected during dismissal. I found him half a block away by himself looking for me. It was pure luck that I was walking toward him and didn’t come up from the other direction. He could have been abducted, hit by a car, you name it. The school has since changed their dismissal procedure. When I called the following day to talk to the principal, they swept my concerns under the rug. Abysmal handling of both safety and justified parent concerns.

The staff and PTA work very hard to make the school feel like a second home for the students. My child transferred here towards the middle of the first marking period and is thriving. The principal, the office staff and the teachers have all been so welcoming and helpful.

My son is graduating fifth grade this year.We really liked the last principal, Miss Lee, She was very fair. The new principal Miss Ski has a bias against children that speak Mandarin. My son and two of his friends told me that he has heard the principal call these children “Mandarin” as if that is who they are rather than the language that they speak.

I get it, it appears in the surface Kingsbury is not equipped to handle kids with special needs, but they are effectively trying. I can also say certain Kingsbury staff radiate genuine warmth and understanding in supporting the children, especially those with special needs. It’s interesting to see how some parents seem to forget that genuine care doesn't come with a checklist of social status. After all, a little humility could go a long way....pomp and pretense can’t hold a candle to the love and effort being poured into our kids’ futures. Perhaps embracing the spirit of collaboration and compassion would serve everyone much better.....