Episode Details

On 9/11/01, P.S. 89 principal Veronica Najjar watched the North Tower collapse from her school’s playground—immediately evacuating kids to a windowless auditorium. With no TV, she relied on parents and district updates, including harrowing interviews with families picking up children. When flickering lights signaled the South Tower’s fall, she urgently called for evacuation. A student asked if firefighters could save people; Najjar promised they’d do their best. Then came the sound of a building collapsing like a pancake. In the chaos, they worked frantically to reunite students with parents. The next year was tough, with some kids staying outside the city—but many returned. P.S. 89 reopened in March, slowly rebuilding normalcy. Now retiring after decades of leadership, Najjar reflects on the endless decisions she made—and looks forward to peace, quiet, and rest.

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