PS #22: Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

October 6,1997

Dear Participants:

Public School #22 is one of the most popular schools in the area of Jersey City. It has up to 1200 children or more. The ethnic breakdown has a majority of African Americans, many Hispanics, and some white students. This building was built in 1929, and is around 68 years old. There are about 70 classrooms and over 90 teachers. There are an average of 25 students per class. We have 2 gyms, 2 lunchrooms, a library, a science lab, a computer lab, 2 art rooms, a music room and an industrial arts room. Our school motto is "If you believe you can......dream it, plan it, achieve it". We have many programs such as the Voyagers, ATC, mediation, special ed., etc.

There are many activities that our students like to participate in here at P.S. #22. For example, we like to play football, basketball, soccer, soft-ball, jump rope and tug-of-war. There are many events held here. In the past, we have had numerous plays, talent shows, scholastic bowls, the Spirit of Life ensemble, the Newark Boys Choir, the New Zealand Dancers, the Eagle Awards, and the 8th grade dinner cruise. We are looking forward to more plays, School Pride Week, the Science Fair and the Car Wash fundraiser.

Most people in our community live in apartments buildings, projects, duplex and single-family homes. We have the Rev. Webb park right across the street from the school. We have churches, grocery stores, a funeral parlor, a fire station, the post office, a library, a bank, and many restaurants nearby. Pathmark, McDonald's and Blimpie are all within walking distance. Our 8th graders go to one of these high schools: Lincoln, Ferris or private high schools.

Jersey City is located in the north eastern section of New Jersey near the Hudson River and the Hackensack River. We are near Newark, Hoboken, Bayonne and New York City. Our Mayor is Brett Schundler, who is in his second term of office. We have two malls and the Path trains that can take you to New York City. The superintendent of schools is Mr. Richard DiPatri. There are two major colleges here, Jersey City State College and St. Peter's College.

New Jersey is known as the Garden State. Its state bird is the eastern goldfinch and the state flower is the purple violet. The capital of New Jersey is Trenton and our governor is Christine Todd Whitman. This is an election year and Mr. McGreavy is going to run against her for the position. Our state is the fifth smallest state in the USA but is one of the most populated. We are near Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and Delaware. We have an aquarium in Camden, Giant Stadium and the Meadowlands Race Track. Our football team is the Giants, our basketball team is the Nets and our hockey team is the New Jersey Devils. We are very proud of our city and state!