Chancellor Carranza Highlights New Addition to PS 19 in Corona

  • Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2018

New 844-seat addition in Corona replaces Temporary Classroom Units (TCUs) and is fully equipped with state-of-the-art music and art rooms, gymnasium and rooftop playground

QUEENS – Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today toured a brand-new school addition in Corona. Open for the 2018-19 school year, the new five-story, state-of-the-art facility includes seats for 844 Kindergarten through 5th grade students. PS 19 will be able to open its first pre-K classrooms in September 2019 because of the new addition.  

“This new state-of-the-art addition is a great asset to Queens students and families,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “I thank Lorraine Grillo, the SCA, and the District 24 and broader Queens community for making this amazing new building a reality, and I’m thrilled to see students learning in this space. I also thank our partners in the State Assembly for pushing for additional funding to remove TCUs through the Smart Schools Bond Act. We’re continuing to invest in high-quality schools and school buildings that give students the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.”

Built by the School Construction Authority, the new addition to PS 19 Marino Jeantet is fully air-conditioned, ADA-accessible, and includes:

  • Two science resource rooms;
  • Gymnasium and three exercise rooms;
  • School yard and rooftop play area;
  • Three art rooms;
  • Two music rooms;
  • Reading and speech resource room;
  • Kitchen and two student cafeterias;
  • Interactive white boards in every classroom;
  • Administrative offices, medical, and guidance suites.

“When the mayor came into office five years ago, he promised to make education a top priority in New York City – and that’s exactly what we’re celebrating today,” said First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan. “We met with the parents in this community, heard their concerns about overcrowding, and responded. We’re so happy that the kids at PS 19 now have a state-of-the-art addition to their school in which they can learn, play and exercise.”

“This new state-of-the-art addition is bringing excitement and vibrancy to all students who come through its doors,” said Lorraine Grillo, President and CEO of the New York City School Construction Authority. “This new space includes all the amenities we expect in a world-class educational facility, and we’re proud to bring this school to the students and families of Corona.”

“We are thrilled to see the results of excellent planning and design in action here at PS 19,” said Karin Goldmark, Deputy Chancellor of School Planning and Development. “I thank the PS 19 school community and SCA staff for helping this project come to life and serve hundreds of Queens students every day.” 

The new addition replaced one semi-permanent structure and five Temporary Classroom Units (TCUs). These TCUs are five of the 184 units – 89 of which were in Queens – the City has removed in the past five years.

Through the School Construction Authority’s Five-Year Capital Plan, the City has allocated $4.8 billion to creating more than 44,600 new seats through approximately 90 projects within school districts experiencing overcrowding. This includes approximately 18,000 new seats in Queens. The School Construction Authority has also allocated $490 million to our Class Size Reduction Program to build additions or new buildings near school buildings that would significantly benefit from additional capacity, with a targeted investment in Queens Community School Districts.

Additionally, through the Smart Schools Bond Act, the City is receiving $300 million to phase out TCUs. This funding would cover 16 TCU removals and the construction of new classrooms and specialty spaces that will benefit over 7,400 students.