TYWLS of Astoria Opens!

6th grade girls and Principal Laura Mitchell at the our newest school in Astoria

The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Astoria opened its doors on September 5, 2006 at its temporary location within PS 85 in Long Island City, Queens.  Eighty excited 6th grade girls, complete with new backpacks, donated by the High Water Women, waited outside with their families, eager for the new school year to begin.   TYWLS, Astoria is our first school to begin with sixth grade girls, other TYWLS have opened with 7th graders.

The small staff of nine, including 5 teachers and a guidance counselor, prepared students for their first Opening Ceremony on September 8, 2006.  Students gathered in the school’s quaint auditorium and received their first “Believe” pin and then recited a definition of her advisory group’s theme: Love, Wisdom, Justice, Hope, and Peace. Megan Ashe, music teacher at the sister school TYWLS, East Harlem and members of her Chorus led the Astoria girls in learning the school song, You’re My Sister.

In the first two months, Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. and Anna Kril, the Founder of a Queens Breast Cancer Support Group, visited our school to speak to students. As a school wide community service project the girls participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, October 15, 2006 in Central Park. They single handedly raised $1,300! After-School programs planned for the school includes, the Brooklyn Arts Council, PowerPlay NYC Inc., and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. TYWLS of Astoria students are excited to participate in their first field trips: Coastal Classroom, a City Parks Foundation, and The American Place Theater. In January, TYWLS Astoria moves to its permanent site on Newtown Avenue in Astoria.