School Vision
We strive to change the world around us by becoming a leader in an area of our choosing and expressing our leadership through speaking, listening to others, and our actions. Through these means, our school thrives and grows in a multitude of ways, and every day our students positively impact their lives and the lives of others.
At PS 56, children learn within an engaging, supportive, and challenging learning environment. Students will express themselves, engage in complex tasks, discuss their thoughts and feelings with their peers and teachers, and explore their talents through various means and experiences.
Staff will educate the whole child, by providing a variety of experiences, through literacy, the arts, sciences, mathematics, and physical education, so that all students can find their passion and talent in the world.
LEWIS LATIMER
About Lewis Latimer
Inventor & Pioneer
Lewis Howard Latimer (1848-1928) was an African-American inventor and electrical pioneer. Determined to overcome his lack of formal education, he taught himself mechanical drawing while in the Union Navy, and eventually became a chief draftsman, patent expert, and inventor.
Bright Ideas
Latimer worked with three of the most celebrated scientific inventors in American history, Alexander Graham Bell, Hiram S. Maxim, and Thomas Alva Edison. He played a critical role in the development of the telephone, significantly improved the production of carbon filament, and made important contributions to the commercialization of the incandescent light bulb.
Our Namesake
Outside his professional career, he developed a passion for visual art, creative writing, and music. Each year, PS 56 students take a trip to the Lewis Latimer House Museum, to view products of his artistic endeavors and learn about the school's namesake.