Things are about to get greener, safer and more welcoming at one Astoria school.
I.S. 141 on 21st Avenue has received a $105,000 allocation from state Senator Jose Peralta for a variety of projects including security cameras and a garden on one side of the building.
“Students are the present and the future of our communities, and this is why we must ensure we provide them with the best possible learning environment,” Peralta said on Dec. 7 in announcing the funding. “It is crucial that students attend class in a comfortable and dynamic setting. I am glad I was able to secure state funding so the school can go ahead with these capital improvement projects.”
According to I.S. 141 Principal Miranda Pavlou, the school will create a new garden near the corner of 38th Street and 21st Avenue. It will be similar to a flowering garden located on the opposite side of the campus near 37th Street.
Along with installing security cameras, the school will also have the funds to renovate and create a gender-neutral bathroom. The new bathroom, Pavlou said, is critical toward furthering the school’s mission to build a “culture that respects and values all students and fosters understanding of gender identity within our school community.”
Pavlou, along with Assistant Principals Vanessa Williams and Lori Adamo, joined Peralta and parents during the Dec. 7 check presentation.
Peralta noted that he has also secured state funding for other improvement projects at schools in his district. They include new air conditioning at P.S/I.S. 127 in East Elmhurst; an updated public address system at P.S. 69 in Jackson Heights; a renovated auditorium and 44 air conditioning units at P.S. 89 in Elmhurst; and an upgraded electrical system in classrooms at I.S. 227 in East Elmhurst.
