Principal's Corner

Principal’s Message   

"I'll be there for you"

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1… Happy New School Year 2026-2027!

Dearest P.S. 56 School Family,

Every new school year is an awesome and invaluable opportunity for each of us to be better than our last best, and we are truly so excited to welcome everyone home sweet home to our 2026-2027 School Year!  This is always such a special time of the year here at P.S. 56.  There is excitement and wonder-filled anticipation abounding for this new chapter of learning to begin.  Our planning and preparations are keeping us extra-busy and extra-excited as we ensure that we are extra-ready!  All our children are without limits as learners, and every day is filled with endless possibilities for them to discover their individual passions, creativity, and strengths, while they grow increasingly self-confident and independent.  We are so honored to be on this learning journey with them.  Steadfast in our dedication to the education of the whole child, we have planned and prepared a school-wide curriculum that supports every child’s physical, social, emotional and academic growth and success.  We are unwavering in our commitment to provide a nurturing and loving academic environment that meets the strengths and needs of every child.  We all agree that “joy is unbreakable and perfectly safe in the hands of every child”, and joyful learning is embedded in every moment of every school day!  Providing a welcoming environment while building trusting relationships are paramount to building community and to ensuring every student’s academic growth and achievement.  Here at P.S. 56 we strive to be Cheers – the place where everybody knows your name and you’re always glad you came.  Our entire staff is dedicated to this goal, and we all have our part to play in achieving this. 

Heartfelt appreciation always for your constant support.  I know how immeasurably blessed I am to call P.S. 56 my home away from home. TOGETHER we will continue to be the light of joy, the light of support, and the light of love for the children we love and serve. Together we will welcome our new school year with joy and excitement!  Together we will ensure our children feel safe, feel known, feel valued, feel loved and reach their full potential as learners.  Together we will go far and… TOGETHER IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO BE!  So Cheers and bring on the 2026-2027 school year.  Our best is yet to be!  #BestSchoolFamilyEver!

Fondly, 

Maureen O’Neill

Principal

 

Contact Information

Principal 914-570-4527

Main Office 718-920-1100

Parent Coordinator 347-685-5983

School Nurse: 718-920-1100 x1011

School Based Support Team: 718-920-1100 x5104

Guidance Office: 718-920-1100 x5022

DOE  Help Desk: 718-935-5100

Technology Support: 718-427-7605

Email: Akazi2@schools.nyc.gov

Parent Coordinator: Sherica Martinez

Email: smartinez103@schools.nyc.gov

Parent Association Executive Board:

Email: 10x056PA@schools.nyc.gov 

President: Diana Seales

Secretary: Rooshanie Niranjan

Treasurer: Isabel Maldonado

Title 1 Representative: Victoria Tzic

 

 

 

Parent Flyers & Updates

Quick Links

Mission Statement

“Our mission is to educate the whole child, develop his/her self-esteem, social responsibility; sense of community; values, mental and physical health, citizenship, and instill a life-long love of reading and learning. We will accomplish our mission through cooperative planning, both short and long-term, parent and community involvement, and respect for all members of the PS 56 community. It is our goal to make our school an exciting place to learn and work.” 

Our Motto

 "Always striving to be better than our last best." 

P.S. 56 Highlights

Project-Based Learning by Class 2-2: Our Community Builders

 "Our community builders museum."  city bridge constructed by students.  urban community.  rural community. 

Hearts & Flowers & Respect for All Week 2026 Begins: 

   Hearts & Flowers Week.  4th grade class group photo during kindness week activity.  Small group of students with Art teacher.  Two students pose during Hearts & Flowers activity.  Small group of students with their classroom teacher.  Student council students posing for a picture together as a group.                 

 

    

               

Upcoming Events

  • First day of school

    Welcome back updates! 

    Arrival locations are not changing (grade 4 students line-up on Hull Avenue, and our grade 5 students line-up on East 207th Street).

    Grade 4 and grade 5 students will now be dismissed in the school yard this school year between 2:15pm - 2:20pm.

    P.S. 56 Norwood Heights
View Monthly Calendar

"Our Community Builders Museum" - An Amazing Project shared by Class 2-2!

Kindness For All Celebration at 10X056

PIX 11 News at P.S. 56

Take a Virtual Tour!

  • PS 56 entrance way from 207th street nearing the gate.

    Main entrance gate on 207th street. 

  • PS 56 side view of the building from 207th street.

    PS 56 Corner view from Hull Ave. 

  • PS 56 entrance way from 207th street past the gate.

    PS 56 Main Entrance Yard. 

  • Security lobby displaying a large U.S. flag on the wall above.

    Main Entrance Security Lobby. 

  • School security desk on the main lobby.

    Please have your ID ready to show Security.

  • Security lobby staircase leading towards the first floor.

    Lobby staircase leading up to the 1st floor. 

  • Second half of the main floor staircase leading into the first floor.

    Staircase leading up to the 1st floor and the Main Office. 

  • PS 56 first floor walk up towards the main office.

    PS 56 first floor walk up towards the main office.

  • PS 56 view of security lobby from above.

    PS 56 view of security lobby from above.

  • Poster with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. by the main office floor elevators.

    A quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by the 1st floor elevators. 

  • Main office entrance and hallway.

    Main Office entrance and hallway. 

  • Main office reception area with a bulletin board that displays the school calendar.

    Welcome to the Main Office! 

  • Main office reception desk close up.

    Main Office reception desk. 

  • Principal, Maureen O'Neill's office entrance way.

    Welcome to Principal, Maureen O'Neill's office!

  • Lobby leading towards the library.

    Lobby leading towards the school library. 

  • PS 56 library entrance floor.

    Library and cafeteria entrance stairway from lobby. 

  • Library floor hallway in the lower lobby.

    Lower level hall by the library. 

  • Inside the library.

    Inside our library. 

  • School cafeteria entrance view from distance.

    School cafeteria hall. 

  • School cafeteria entrance doors.

    Cafeteria entrance.

  • School cafeteria food station.

    Cafeteria food station. 

  • School cafeteria seating area.

    Inside from cafeteria. 

  • Multi purpose room entrance way.

    Multipurpose room entrance. 

  • Multi purpose room right view.

    Multipurpose room. 

  • Multi purpose room skylight ceiling view.

    Multipurpose room skylight ceilings!

  • Music room.

    The music room. 

  • Upper floor hallway view by the elevators.

    Upper floor hallway near the elevators. 

  • 2nd floor hallway seating area for students.

    2nd floor reading nook. 

  • Inside gym stage view.

    2nd floor gym facing the stage. 

  • Inside gym looking away from stage view.

    2nd floor gym looking back from stage. 

  • 3rd floor stairway exit facing large windows.

    3rd floor view towards the central stairs. 

  • Staircase descending down.

    Staircase coming down from the 3rd floor. 

  • PS 56 art room facing large windows with students work.

    Art room window view. 

  • Art room student seating area.

    Art room class view. 

  • Upper floor hallway door connecting original side from new the new side.

    Hallway bridge connecting new and original part of the building. 

  • Upper floor original side hallway view from front end to the back end.

    3rd floor hallway facing East. 

  • Upper floor original hallway view from back end to front end.

    3rd floor hallway facing West. 

  • PS 56 original main entrance on 207th street.

    Original main entrance on 207th street. 

  • Original side main entrance inside doors before the staircase.

    Original main entrance past the red doors. 

  • Original main entrance staircase.

    Original main stairs leading up to the 1st floor. 

  • Original side main exit staircase.

    Original main building exit stairs. 

  • PS 56 view from sidewalk from one end to the other end looking West.

    PS 56 sidewalk view from Hull Ave. 

  • PS 56 school yard on South end.

    School yard by Decatur Ave. 

School Breakfast & Lunch Menus

P.S. 56 KINDNESS VIDEO 2022

P.S. 56 Kindness Quilt 2021

  • P.S. 56 Kindness Quilt

    P.S. 56 Kindness Quilt 2021

BEING KIND MUSIC VIDEO 2024

BEING KIND MUSIC VIDEO 2023