Baldwin Herald Highlights Brookside Elementary School

Excerpt from article:

The Brookside Elementary School second-grade lemonade stand returned for its third year last Friday.

Lauren Maywald and Kristin Maldonado’s second-grade classes have spent recent weeks learning about business development, financial literacy, marketing and advertising. Using their new skills, the students developed persuasive presentations and marketing materials, and even created a commercial, to bring their lemonade business to life.

“I got to be in the commercial,” second-grader Gia Louis said. “My favorite part was recording my voice and doing the lemonade handshake.”

Teachers said the project extended beyond the second-grade classrooms, with students around the school getting involved. Some created jingles and posters at home to support the effort, and then shared with their peers. The business, dubbed the Lemon Squad, gave second-graders the chance to take on specific roles, including graphic designers, members of the advertising team and marketing representatives.

According to the Baldwin school district, over the past two years, Brookside second-grade classes have raised more than $1,600 for charitable causes, including Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, an American pediatric cancer charity, and Ronald McDonald House, a nonprofit that supports families with sick children.

Organizers said the annual project continues to grow each year, both in participation and in its impact on the community.

This year, the second-graders decided to raise money for Camp Anchor, a beloved organization operated by the Town of Hempstead in Lido Beach, which provides year-round recreational and social programs for children and adults with special needs — summer camps, trips, dances and other activities designed to promote inclusion, independence and community connection.

“We’re raising money for Camp Anchor so they can get new things and help kids who can’t walk, speak or hear,” second-grader Julissa Allen said. “It makes me happy because we’re helping other kids.”

Read the full article online in the Baldwin Herald>>