Cheers and applause filled the air at Golden Hill Elementary School as students, staff, and community members gathered to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting of the school’s newly enhanced outdoor spaces. The $100,000 capital outlay project, completed earlier this school year, transformed the PreK-K playground and created a new outdoor eating and learning area for all students to enjoy.

The improvements, made possible through a capital outlay project funded by the Florida Union Free School District, will be reimbursed in the next school year through state aid, making the project both student-centered and fiscally responsible.

“We are thrilled to unveil these beautiful new spaces that truly enrich the daily experience of our students,” said Dr. Lisamarie Spindler, Superintendent of Schools, during the ceremony. “This project reflects our commitment to early childhood education, outdoor learning, and maximizing every inch of space we have—for both learning and wellness.”

The upgraded playground features developmentally appropriate equipment designed to support physical growth, creativity, and safe play for the district’s youngest learners. Adjacent to the playground, the new outdoor eating and learning area features shaded seating, flexible tables, and open space designed to host lessons, lunch, and school events.

“They’re just so excited,” shared Principal Starla Ciarelli. “The students have been buzzing all morning, waiting to play with everything.”

When asked about her favorite part of the new playground, student Scarlett Caldwell grinned and said, “All of it!”

Dr. Spindler emphasized that the success of the project was a community effort: “We’re grateful to our Board of Education, facilities team, and the entire school community for supporting this vision. Today’s ribbon-cutting is just the beginning—we’re building more than a playground. We’re building opportunities.”