By Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council
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| PS 101 in 1927 |
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| PS 101 in 2014, Photo by Michael Perlman |
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| PS 101 in 2014, Photo by Michael Perlman |
Public
School 101, nestled in the Forest Hills Gardens at 2 Russell Place, has been a
community cornerstone since 1914, which was eight years after Forest Hills was
named, and five years after the founding of the Gardens. To celebrate PS 101’s
centennial and influential role in the community, students, parents, and
faculty members rejoiced at the Community House on the evening of March 15th.
The festivities marked the launching of
a year-long celebration, characterized by several creative means of expression.
On May 20th, PS 101 will officially become a Department of Education
certified school, followed by the “Celebrating 100 Years of Diversity”
international dinner on June 4th. Looking ahead, a Centennial
Carnival will be held in October, the PS 101 Talent Show in November, and an
Alumni & Parents Dinner come December.
The Community House was filled with nearly
180 people, spanning the generations. Hof Hall was largely devoted to children’s
activities. The agenda featured music and dinner, a show by Mario The Magician,
and the All Star Dance Studios teaching classic and modern routines ranging
from The Charleston to the Gangnam Style. The proscenium was complemented by an
elaborate arched display of yellow and black balloons in representation of the
school colors, alongside balloons which spelled “PS 101 100.”
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| Hof Hall |
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| Smith Hall |
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| Smith Hall |
At Smith Hall, attendees danced to the
sounds of the notable duo, Banjo Nickaru & His Western Scooches featuring
Betina Hershey Russo, whose diverse repertoire reflected the decades of PS 101’s
operation. With support from local preservationists, a visual chronology of PS
101 graced the walls, and a window into the past featured a timeline of books
read over the eras. Hors d’oeuvres were served, and dinner was prepared by
parents and local merchants. To top it off, a multi-layer cake featuring PS
101-themed images was created by Mina Eimaldi, a PS 101 parent and board
member, and presented to attendees who sang “Happy Birthday To PS 101!” To
capture a memorable evening, participants set foot in a photo booth.
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| Banjo Nickaru & His Western Scooches featuring
Betina Hershey Russo |
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| PS 101 Centennial Cake |
Back in 1909, the newly established Forest
Hills Gardens bordered farmland which dated to its Whitepot days, but when the
LIRR became an electrified stop at Station Square that same year, Forest Hills
was eyed by newer families. In 1914, their children entered a 4-room frame
school, nicknamed the “Little Red Schoolhouse.” As the population increased,
that grew to a 4-story brick and limestone Germano-Tudor style school in 1927,
which was designed by Architect William H. Gompert. Its octagonal tower bearing
a pediment roof is a symbolic representation of the Forest Hills Inn.
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| PA President Soumaly King & Principal Monique Paniagua stand in front of the Smith Hall fireplace |
“I am very proud of PS 101’s heritage, which
reflects its academic excellence. We want to continue building our heritage, so
hopefully in another 100 years that will be passed on to our next generations,”
explained Principal Monique Paniagua. Parents Association President Soumaly
King added, “It is amazing to be a part of a legacy, where thousands of children
have gone to our school. We have cultivated and grown beautiful minds. We are
academically enriched in a beautiful community, and we are lucky to reach this
milestone now.”
“I have a daughter in the 5th grade and two older boys that
graduated,” said Cecile Renna, who is a voice among parents echoing that
sentiment. She explained, “What makes PS 101 unique is the sense of belonging to a great community, which is diverse
in terms of culture and nationality. The teachers are amazing and really get to
know you, and parents have become such great friends. It is a small school
which is always welcoming. We have been at the school for 15 years, and when my
daughter graduates, it won't be without sadness. I will cherish all the great
memories.” As a Tory Burch employee, Renna helped raise funds for PS 101’s
programming by having her company donate a pair of leather purses, scarves, and
leather wallets, which were among the live auction’s many items, gift
certificates, and membership packages.
PS 101 aims to instill a sense of the
broader community within its students. After
Hurricane Sandy, students assisted young victims by designing blankets. When
the Forest Hills Gardens turned 100, the Parents Association coordinated a
music gala to reflect the neighborhood’s cultural history, and some of the
proceeds replaced a tree which succumbed during the 2010 macroburst. Other worthwhile events are the school choir’s performance at
the annual Flag Day ceremony on Flagpole Green, a community-sponsored annual essay contest, and visits to the West Side
Tennis Club and the Forest Hills firehouse.
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| Children at recess, 1920s |
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| Children at recess, 1920s |
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| Drinking milk, 1940s |
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| Class of June 1931 |
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| Class of June 1945 |
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| A 1950s class photo |
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| Class of June 1954 |
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| Class 2-202 in 1979 |
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