PS 23 Public School K--6^th Grades

From that Public School, PS 23 on the corner of Mulberry & Bayard Streets, there was Mrs. Readon, 3^rd grade; Miss Connelly, 4^th grade; Mrs. Gellis, 5^th grade; and Mrs. Brown (Miss Carbone) 6^th grade. Mrs. Brown was an exceptional teacher and disciplinarian who taught us all the fundamentals in Math and English to prepare us for junior and senior high. For the kids living on the peripheral streets of Chinatown, there was PS 1 Public School, K—6^TH grades on Henry & Catherine Streets. 

 

PS 130 Public School 7^th & 8^th Grades

Next in the educational line was the “physical combat zone” of PS 130 for 7^th & 8^th grades on the corner of Hester and Baxter Streets in Little Italy. It certainly was a diversified and engaging 2 year experience in human interaction and explicit exposure to racial discrimination. Here at PS 130 we were the minority, whereas; we had been the majority at PS 23. It was certainly a different slice of experiences and “life lessons learned” in true living color in comparison to the PS 23 environment in Chinatown. For the kids living on the peripheral streets of Chinatown, there was JHS 65 for 7^TH, 8^th, & 9^th grades on Forsyth Street.

 

Chinese Schools

Then there was the old Chinese School on Mott St after going to American School all day. Many of us went to the old Chinese School before it was torn down and rebuilt as a Community Center and Chinese School. Parochial school was at the Transfiguration Catholic Church where they had both American and Chinese Schools.

 

Active Mix of Chinatown Academic & Social Life

During the high school and college years of the late 40’s, 50’s and early 60’s, it was not just all work and school studies with no play. For many of the Chinatown crowd, there were social functions to attend on any given weekend such as private parties; dances sponsored by various club(s) or group(s); college parties or dances; and church socials held after basketball games; or one could just shoot pocket pool or billiards with the guys or go bowling with your friends.

 

Exceptional Generation of Kids

When we look back at our life in Chinatown and the greater surrounding NY Metropolitan area, our generation had a high percentage of smart, talented, and resourceful kids who were self motivated and driven through education and hard work to succeed in life. Our small Chinatown community produced a large number of success stories with our share of entrepreneurs, businessmen, and professionals. The results are a positive indicator of our many blessings and how we successfully managed life’s challenges to be the “best you can be in life”