StudentsFirstNY

Great to be in Albany for @GovKathyHochul’s #SOTS! We’re ready to keep progress going by elevating parent choice, maintaining mayoral accountability & fostering district and charter collaboration. Every student deserves a seat at the table of opportunity. Let’s go! 📷

We’re looking forward to working with the new @NYCMayor administration to ensure mayoral control best meets the needs of all students Crystal McQueen-Taylor, ED of @StudentsFirstNY, says "This clarity is essential to driving progress for our children” bit.ly/49H6opV

NYC families: Charter school applications for 2026–27 are open! Free, accessible, and open to all - apply to multiple schools with one form Follow the link to apply nyccharterschools.schoolmint.net/signin bit.ly/3NvSVbN

bit.ly/4pnfzBm Congratulations to @StudentsFirstNY Executive Director Crystal McQueen-Taylor for being listed on @amNewYork and @PoliticsNYnews 2025 Nonprofit Power Players #AMNYPP

As Mayor-elect Mamdani steps in, keeping strong school accountability with mayoral control should be a top priority. Families deserve transparency. Check out @StudentsFirstNY Executive Director Crystal McQueen-Taylor's op-ed bit.ly/4pjYAzR

bit.ly/3Xbqlhv Our kids can’t vote but we can! Secure their education futures. Click the link to find your polling place

When @AOC gave @zetaschools Bronx charter students a Capitol tour during the shutdown, she didn’t see politics – she saw kids🙌 That’s the leadership NYC needs from our next mayor. Check out @StudentsFirstNY’s Crystal McQueen-Taylor op-ed in @amNewYork bit.ly/3J5Imuc

Aria, daughter of LaToya Harris, is beginning Kindergarten at @imlcsbk. LaToya's aspirations are hoping thar Aria takes her joy, and curious, fun loving spirit into the classroom and continues her love for learning!

Harlow Pressley, granddaughter of Howie Pressley, is starting off Kindergarten at @BeginWChildren!

A’morie Jackson is the son of Sade Campbell and will be starting Pre-K at @PS327BK: “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you"

Kassiah Jones, son of Susan Sturtevant, is attending Pre-K at @stcharlesnyc . He hopes to make more friends this school year

Shameeka Anderson, daughter of Ivyanna Anderson Whyte, is an incoming 11th grader at Talented Unlimited. Shameeka looks forward to meeting her new teachers

Rita Singh, Mother of Skylar James, who is starting 3rd grade at PS 140 Q, tells us Skylar says "This is my year to shine”

Kamran Benston is starting Kindergarten at @SuccessCharters. His Mother, Jasmine Cunningham, says, " I hope this year my son can excel. I want him to stay hopeful and encouraged to keep striving for better"

Michael Scott, grandson of Linda Scott, is an incoming 4th grader at @PS532NewBridges. He hopes to make the honor roll this year

Tiffany Blanding, the the oldest daughter of April Blanding will be attending @BHSEC as a first year college student! Her goal is to keep up her excellent academic performance.

Camron Isaac is starting 6th grade at @uncommonschools. His mother Cynthia Isaac is looking forward to him being more independent. Camron's goal this year is to get great grades in all his classes

Trinity Blanding, the youngest daughter of April Blanding, is entering the 10th grade at Design Works High School. She hopes to both strengthen her academics and grow her social circle

Congratulations to @StudentsFirstNY ED Crystal McQueen-Taylor on being named on the @CityAndStateNY 2025 Albany Power 100 list! Crystal is a tireless advocate for getting our students access to the education that they deserve and we are proud to be in the fight alongside her!

ICYMI: @StudentsFirstNY is co-sponsoring a virtual Mayoral Forum hosted by @RepEspaillat TODAY, Mon. 4/21, 4–6 PM (Zoom). Join us to spotlight literacy as a fundamental right & key issue in NYC’s Mayoral Race. RSVP here bit.ly/44uZLou #LiteracyIsACivilRight