East Flatbush public school ends school year with an inaugural carnival

Dr. Linton Atkinson, the Jamaican-born principal of Public School 244 on Tilden Avenue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, says he was delighted to end the school year with the school’s inaugural carnival on June 3.

“I believe the carnival was a great way to end the year at PS 244,” Dr. Atkinson told Caribbean Life in an exclusive interview. “We have had a successful academic year, where everyone worked extremely hard to achieve student success.

“As a principal, I have always told my students and staff that we should work hard and play hard,” he added, stating that most of the school’s population is from the Caribbean Diaspora.

Parent-Teachers Association Members in carnival costumes, from left, Thereshia Felix (Grenada), Varessa Ford Smikle (Trinidad and Tobago), Shirley Alexis-Greaves (Haiti), Sharmaine Sprull (Jamaica) and Ezra Lewis (St. Vincent and the Grenadines). Photo by Nelson A. King

“Carnival and the history of our African roots are essential to who we are as a people,” Dr. Atkinson continued. “Lyrikal was the perfect guest. He was very accommodating to the kids; they all knew his songs. I have never been to a carnival, so this was a great experience for me as well.”

He said the carnival was “such a great experience for families, staff, and students that the school will make it an annual event,” disclosing that it was the brainchild of the school’s Parent Association (PA), led by President Varessa Smikle.

Dr. Atkinson said other members of the PA Board include “parents that students affectionately call Ms. Raynell, Mr. Ezra, Ms. Browne, Ms. Felix, Ms. Greaves, and Ms. Bradshaw.”

One of the masqueraders at Public School 244 inaugural carnival in Brooklyn. Photo by Linton Atkinson

He said that, for three months, students conducted research on one of three different costumes and dressed in their assigned costumes for Carnival Day.

Dr. Atkinson said Pre-K to Grade 1 students were assigned Pretty Mas; Grades 2 and 3 were assigned Junkanoo; and Grades 4 and 5 were assigned Jab Jab.

“After the history of each costume was read, students marched out with great revelry,” Dr. Atkinson said. “Family members and guardians were present to enjoy the festive occasion.”

To top things off, popular soca singer Lyrikal wooed the crowd of about 450 students and parents with his hits, such as “Happy Place” and “Fete Cyah Over.”