BP Melinda Katz and Councilman Costa Constantinides
July 27, 2017 By Jason Cohen
Several Astoria schools will undergo significant capital improvements over the next year—from film studios to science labs—with more than $3.7 million from this year’s budget going into them, elected officials announced today.
A film studio is going to be built at the Young Women’s Leaders, located at 23-15 Newtown Avenue, via a budget allocation of $300,000 from Borough President Melinda Katz and $75,000 from Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria).
The school, which caters to grades six through 12, focuses heavily on movie making, with students often creating their own films. Currently, students are conducting their filmmaking in school hallways.
Funds have also allocated by Constantinides and Katz to promote the use of renewable energy in local schools and public spaces. More than $1.1 million is being spent on solar panels at PS 122 (21-21 Ditmars Blvd.), which will be the first public school in Astoria with this technology. The school also received $200,000 for soundproof walls in the lunchroom.
The borough president also allocated $500,000 for a new science lab at PSQ 300, 28-37 29th St., and $300,000 for bathroom renovations at IS 141, 37-11 21st Ave.
In part of an ongoing effort to improve science in schools, Constantinides set aside $160,000 for PS 84 (2245 41st Street) and IS 126 (31-51 21st Street) for new hydroponic science labs. This is a method of growing plants in water based nutrient rich solutions without using soil.
The councilman also allocated $900,000 for new technology at district schools.
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4 Comments
The schools as a whole need to be treated equally. Kids in Q300 get a science lab and kids at ps17 in the same building don’t all have working a/c units in their classrooms. The teachers at 17 go without, the service providers are not being given Classrooms. This sends a very unfair message in the building
BP Melinda Katz and Councilman Costa Constantinides have been doing so much good for our community. It is nice to know that improvements are being made to help support the public school children of Astoria. It is also very exciting to see new religious private schools and community centers opening up in Astoria which cater to a certain growing population. They are Astoria’s future.
They do that on purpose so the little devil’s get sleepy and calm the F down. Kids today are spoiled.
What about PS 17? A couple of A/Cs would be nice so our kids don’t dehydrate and melt when they’re still in school all of June and September continues summer temperatures.