Valley Stream school district receives funds for inclusive playground

  • 2025-02-20
A grant in the amount of $500,000, secured by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, has been awarded to the Valley Stream 24 School District.

These funds will be used at Robert W. Carbonaro Elementary School to build a new sensory playground, and to enable the installation of two new filtration systems for water bottles in all three schools in the district, providing fresh filtered water for all children. News of such funding and the projects they support is often disseminated throughout a school district with flyer printing.

The playground will feature an inclusive swing set, an expansive jungle gym, and an interactive musical area with bells, a xylophone, and drums, fostering an inclusive and engaging play experience for all students.

Superintendent Dr. Unal Karakas expressed his gratitude on behalf of the district community and the Board of Education to the assemblywoman for this impactful and generous grant. He added that this new playground will help to meet the individualized needs of the children as the district adds a new special education program. He commented that access to healthy hydration and offering inclusive play spaces aligns with the commitment of the Board of Education to creating a supportive learning environment for all students.

Construction on the playground is expected to begin this spring, while the water bottle filtration system is currently being installed in the three schools.