Comments on: Mott Haven school building crumbles

By: Dori

Dori — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:17:33 +0000

I found a photo of P.S.31 ‘Castle on the Hill’ from the early archives of the board of Education shortly after construction. Photo in the Collection of Teacher’s College, Columbia University. Constructed in 1897-99 located at 425 Grand Concourse, Borough of the Bronx, New York, P.S. 31 was designed by architect C.B.J. Synder, the first of a number of Gothic styled school buildings with Tudor arched doorways and pointed windows topped with stone tracery ,central entrance tower and gabled bays, built in New York during his term as Suprintendent of School Buildings for the New York Board of Education , The impressive kindergarten through 8th grade (initially) school was highly rated for quality education.

By: Maria Marcano

Maria Marcano — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:54:20 +0000

P.S. 31 The Castle On The Concourse was and is obviously still loved by many. It maybe crumbling but it is still there for all who love her to do something about it, now wouldn’t that be something. Everyone has their own unique memory of this amazing school. When you speak about this school you can actually begin to see specific memories play out and if you concentrate as I do I can see my daughter practicing for the Storytelling Contest, I can see my other daughter playing the violin on graduation; oh the list goes on and on. You think of P.S. 31 The Castle and you can’t help but think of Carol Russo, principal as they are both one. The amazing teachers and staff the parents and most important the students. We were all so connected to one another, I believe this to be one of the things that made this school so special. I would love to see these falling pieces of The Castle take flight again to become what Wilhelm Ronda, the director of planning at the Bronx Borough President’s Office envisions “Ronda hopes the building can be adapted for a new public use, such as a performing art space or even a children’s art museum.” and to wrap it up by naming it “The Carol Russo’s Castle on the Concourse Performing Arts” Now wouldn’t that be something!

By: Elvis

Elvis — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:58:56 +0000

Such a sad story! I have great memories and pictures of my childhood in this school. Ms. Vargas was a great kindergarden teacher, and Ms. Kelly was the best looking teacher i ever had lol that was my 3rd grade crush. Anyone have an update on them?

By: Carlos

Carlos — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:46:32 +0000

I loved my school PS 31x, I was there from 1975-1981. I miss it very much. I’m sad to see what has happened to my school.i miss my teachers: kindegarten Ms.Beane,1st. Grade Ms. Beane again,2nd grade Ms. Saffer 3rd. Ms. Kowsaski.4th grade, Ms.Johnson and 5th grade, Ms.Flaherty.the best years of my life. I wish I can go back in time to 1975. Does anybody remembers the pictures of all the students on the back wall of the auditorium? How about our small library on the 5th floor? Lunch was pretty good too back then, real food! Lol!wow I’m getting watery eyes just thinking about my school. I still live in the Bronx and pass around from time to time. Mr. Lewis was truly the King of 31.

By: janice infante

janice infante — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:41:41 +0000

Oh yes our diamonds and trophy–everyone wanted their class to win. I miss those days at PS 31. I attended from kindergarten all the way to 6th grade. Mr Lewis seemed so intimidating with his bullhorn, not to mention he seemed like a giant to use because he was so tall, and always wore a suit. Let’s not forget about the infamous “wall” at recess if you got in trouble, or if he blew that horn and you didn’t freeze you got the “wall.” Does anyone remember Ms Stromberg our music teacher and Ms Kornberg–I loved her. I still live in NY in the Bronx and it’s a shame how they let our school just crumble, but I am proud to say that I attended the Castle on the Concourse.

By: Dori

Dori — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 04:54:05 +0000

I attended PS 31 in the 1930s and remember wearing a navy blue skirt with white blouse uniform until shortly before World War 2. I lived across the boulevard at 450 Grand Concourse.The oldest(Gothic style) buildings on the Concourse. In the 1930s and 40s it was a beautiful clean area to grow up. A well designed playground was attached to the school enjoyed by the children in the area during the summer and after school. 149th Street Subway Station took us to the museums in Manhattan later, to Walton High School north west of the Concourse, then Brooklyn, to college. Sunshine would bounce off the apartment building windows from PS 31 across the boulevard like jeweled prisms. After the war many families left the Concourse for the suburbs as did ours. I am searching for a photo of the PS 31 as it was in the 1940s.

By: Del

Del — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:14:52 +0000

Man I love this school and I wish that funds would go through to preserve it. me and my friends are on facebook talking about all our old memories. Man my childhood was great and part of it was due to the school. i wish that kids these days had what we had back then.

By: Elliot

Elliot — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:22:12 +0000

I remember attending PS 31 when i was younger, back in the mid 80′s. At the time it was a school for students who needed to be challenged more. I remember without warning one day being taken out of class at PS 157, and was told i was chosen to go to PS 31. Although i was scared, i went anyway, and really liked the school. It really was challenging like they said, I remember having a class where i has a book report due every 2 weeks; believe me, i hated that lol. I remember having to meet in the cafeteria every morning, having the dean Mr. Lewis get us all in order to go up to our class rooms. We had to stay perfectly still in order to get these things called “diamonds” for our class, and at the end of the month the class with the most diamonds won a prize, usually it was interchangeable lead pencils. I remember us playing outside, and when it rained, just like it said up above, us watching cartoons and educational movies during lunch. I have so many memories, and i was glad i had the chance to attend the school, it was a great time in my life. I attended there until the 6th grade then moved to Florida for 7th grade, but i will never forget it. I even remember the theme song we had when Mrs. Stomburg played the piano, and Mr.G the weather man would always come for graduations and or just visit. William Bennett, a member of the US Cabinet would also come see us, and also visit. I’m so happy i had this chance to let out my experiences. Hopefully more people will post a lot more.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:20:38 +0000

My mother went to this school in the mid to late 1930′s, it had nuns as teachers if I am correct? I have her autograph book with the list of teachers. She went onto Evander Childs for high school. I plan on visiting this school when I am in town in 2 weeks, what a shame it looks like this. My mother only had the best words and fondest memories of this school. I hope it gets restored. I wish I could have access to find her school pictures as I do not have any of her as a child, would anyone know? thanks

By: Jose Martinez

Jose Martinez — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:46:49 +0000

My god who could ever forget how safe and loved you felt when you were there! Truly simpler times! miss atlas was my kindergarden teacher miss gilman my drama miss johnson my home room 6th grade teacher and of course the king Mr lewis with his bull horn in the auditorium and playground. I used to walk 4 blocks to the school. I remember kicking thruogh the leaves in the fall and watching the squirles collect there nuts. playing tag in the playground and runnin up and down the various stairs throughout the school. How about the fire drills we practiced! You know you loved a school when you can still sing your graduation song ” Thanks for the memories, the days at 31, the teachers and the fun, the children and the moments on the concourse in the sun, how lovely it was….”
And as it continues to say in the song. ” We say good bye with a sad look, we feel so lonely and blue, but we are intelligent children no tears no fuss, hooray for us! So thanks for the memmories I,ll always love you P.S 31