State Sen. Shelley Mayer, President of the Yonkers Board of Education the Rev. Steve Lopez, Mayor Mike Spano, Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, and other Yonkers Public School leaders gathered recently to celebrate the opening of the new playground at Family School 32.
YPS leaders thanked Mayer for securing a $500,000 grant for two new playgrounds for the district, as well as Family School 32 and the Enrico Fermi School.
“I am glad to have been able to secure a $500,000 capital grant for the construction of two new playgrounds at Yonkers Public Schools,” said Mayer. “This is an exciting day for the 600-plus students at Family School 32 to have a brand new, state-of-the-art playground where they can play and socialize with one another. Maintaining and updating our school infrastructure is an important priority of mine, and it is an essential part of investing in the education and health of our children. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Legislature to fight for increased resources for our public schools, students, teachers.”
“These playgrounds will provide greater opportunities for our young people to explore, learn and be healthier while at school,” added Spano. “I applaud Sen. Shelley Mayer for securing the state funds to make today possible. There is no doubt the money invested here will enrich our school community for years to come.”
Quezada said safe outdoor play areas must be part of every child’s experience.
“Sen. Shelley Mayer’s relentless advocacy supporting our instructional programs, as well as our significant infrastructure needs, has resulted in funding for programs across the district,” he said. “Family School 32 and the Enrico Fermi School communities are the beneficiaries today. Sen. Mayer is a champion for Yonkers children’s education and the benefits quality education bring to the entire community. The Yonkers Public Schools is grateful for her support.”
“This is an exciting day for our students,” added Family School 32 Principal Dr. Miriam Digneo. “Our students have patiently watched the antiquated playground come down and be reinvented into a fabulous outdoor space to play and interact. Thank you, Sen. Mayer, for your support for the children, parents and staff of our school.”
Family School 32 is a public magnet school with more than 600 students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight.