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Here's How Some
Canarsie Schools Got Their Names
Did ya ever wonder how public schools get their names? Traditionally, public schools were named after presidents, founding figures and social leaders whose accomplishments served as a role model for young people. Today's growing trend is to name schools after things found in nature, according to a July 2007 report published by the Manhattan Institute, a think tank that explored trends in naming public schools in seven states across the country. The study found that schools named after presidents are out while schools named after manatees are in. The findings show that only five of Florida's 3,000 schools honor George Washington while 11 are named after manatees, and Arizona schools are 50 times more likely to be named after the roadrunner bird than after Thomas Jefferson. Many school boards don't want to name buildings after people for fear of controversy. Naming schools after natural features is less offensive.
P.S. 115 was originally named after the Canarsee Indians and known as the Canarsie School until 1999. After the principal, Daniel Mucatel, died an untimely death in May 1999, the school was renamed The Daniel Mucatel School. The school was dedicated in his honor in October 1999. P.S. 276 was named after a corporate and constitutional lawyer, Louis B. Marshall (1856-1929). As a mediator and Jewish community leader, he worked to secure religious, political, and cultural freedom for all minority groups. P.S. 272 was named in memory of Dr. Curtis R. Estabrook. Born in Norwich, Vermont in 1847, he spent 45 years of his life in Canarsie working among the poor and needy. He made house calls in an old buckboard wagon and provided medicine and care to those who could not afford it. When Estabrook died, the people of Canarsie called a meeting to consider changing Canarsie's name to Estabrook. Of course, that didn't happen but P.S. 272 stands in his honor.
P.S. 279 was originally unnamed. After the school's first principal retired, it was named The Herman Schreiber School in his honor. Years later a re-union celebration honoring Schreiber was held in the gym, and his children attended in his honor. Canarsie's newest school, P.S. 66, opened in September 2003. There are no plans to name the school at this time.
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