The people who fought to give P.S. 234 extra classroom space this year got a first look at the fruits of their labor last Thursday. Thanks to pressure from parents and elected officials, P.S. 234 has new art and science rooms, which sit in Manhattan Youth’s community center, adjacent to the school.
Bob Townley, executive director of Manhattan Youth, led a tour of the two rooms and the rest of the recently opened community center. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblymember Deborah Glick and parents from 234 and other local schools praised the new classrooms, which have floor-to-ceiling windows, sustainable Marmoleum floors and soft, inviting carpets. Silver was particularly struck by the enormous cartons of crayons in the art room, boasting dozens of colors.
As the parents gushed, several turned to thank Townley for making the classroom space a reality.
“I didn’t do it,” Townley said, characteristically deferring praise.
Teachers were still setting the rooms up during the tour, but this week art and science classes began and students got a chance to break in the new space.
