P.S. 59, Beekman Hill International School, 228 E. 57th Street, September 13, 2001

Principal Leslie Zackman always makes an announcement at lunch, but today it wasn’t about clearing tables of stray french fries. School had been in session on Tuesday, when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center and Pentagon, but school was closed yesterday.

“As I told you Tuesday,” she said, “there are so many adults here at P.S. 59 -- family, teachers -- to make it safe for you. We have a plan. Remember Tuesday? It was calm here on Tuesday and you got home.”

She paused, let her statement sink in and continued to reassure the students: “We can go outside for recess again, so wait for the usual signal.”

*

On Tuesday, Zackman had entered every classroom to tell them the news. They could go home if their parents signed in with Sonia the security guard first. The other students sat in the cafeteria and watched videos until dismissal time (3 o’clock).

On Wednesday, all the principals in the District gathered to share hugs and tips about keeping their students still and safe. They did not want to lie, but they didn’t want to scare them, either. “We told them… the people who did it were individuals, not countries.” They decided that they would open two hours late tomorrow and allow parents to talk to Zackman over a cup of coffee in the cafeteria. As the kids filed out of the cafeteria, Zackman came over and excused herself: “The security guard just told me there was a bomb threat at Grand Central, so I have to get back.”

New York state of mind

A pregnant mother

A single father

Story Index

Part one | Monday, October 8, 2001
Part two | Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Part three | Wednesday, October 10, 2001
Part four | Thursday, October 11, 2001
Part five | Friday, October 12, 2001