Brookside Elementary School Highlighted in the Baldwin Herald

Excerpt from article:

Students in the third through fifth grades at Brookside Elementary School in Baldwin have been missing something important during recess — a playground of their own. 

The aging play area for the school’s older students was taken out of service after deteriorating equipment raised safety concerns, leaving them without a dedicated place to climb, slide and explore.  

However, a Nassau County grant is expected to give them that space back — this time with a new, fully accessible playground designed to serve students of all abilities.  

Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis, who represents parts of Baldwin, secured a $150,000 Community Revitalization Project grant on July 27. Baldwin School District Superintendent Anthony Mignella said the new equipment will directly benefit roughly 250 Brookside students. 

“We really just want children to learn, play and thrive on the playground,” Mignella said.  

Brookside has separate recreation areas for younger and older elementary students. The equipment for students in the third through fifth grades, which Mignella said was donated by parents more than a decade ago, was decommissioned after it became faulty and unsafe. After becoming superintendent, Mignella made it a priority to assess playgrounds across the district and work with schools, community members and PTAs to determine where improvements were needed. 

“Brookside was definitely in need,” he said. “That one playground had to be taken apart because some of the equipment was faulty and not safe.” 

Read the full story online in the Baldwin Herald>>