There’s a long list of charms that make Cobble Hill such a special place to live, but no family with kids can deny the top quality public school, P.S. 29, is at the top of that list of reasons to live here. Last week, P.S. 29 Principal Melanie Woods announced she will be retiring from the school after 10 years of tremendous work. Lisa Collins at the South Brooklyn Post summarizes her contribution to the community quite well.
Woods is known for her striking problem-solving abilities, her strong support for PS 29′s healthy food initiative in the cafeteria and its food garden, as well as for progressive educational policies. This September, when the number of kindergartners caused crowding, Woods found a way to secure funding to create an extra class after school started (each class had a teacher’s aid thanks to fast summer fundraising by parents and the PTA). Last year, when construction on the new schoolyard closed it down, Woods worked with the 76th Precinct to close off surrounding streets so kids could play outdoors.
On a personal note, though I do not have kids nor the pleasure of sending them to P.S.29 yet, Melanie Woods has always been fantastic to work with in coordination the neighborhood’s annual Electronic Recycling Events and for that I am deeply grateful. Even this year, as needed repairs to the building temporarily close the school yard and site of our E-waste events, she and other PTA volunteers have made sure to save space for us to hold yet another recycling event this Earth Day, April 22nd.
