Monday, July 14, 2025
Ten local schools were awarded a total of $15,350 through the Green Acres Mall’s School Cents program.
The awards were presented during a June 7 event at the mall, where PTA members, students and families gathered to recognize their participation and success in the yearlong initiative.
The School Cents program, which ran from September through April, invited schools to earn points by submitting receipts from shopping, dining and services at the mall and attending select mall events. Points accumulated throughout the program were converted into cash awards for each school’s PTA based on their final rankings.
“The School Cents program continues to be one of Green Acres’ ways of giving back with the goal of turning everyday visits to the mall into meaningful support for local education,” said Jill Bromberg, the mall’s marketing community relations manager. “We were proud to celebrate the incredible efforts of these PTA communities and support the important work they do for our children.”
The top-earning school this year was Brooklyn Avenue School, whose PTA received $3,500. Other schools that received top spots included Robert W. Carbonaro School, $3,000; Forest Road School, $2,500; and William L. Buck School, $2,000, all Valley Stream schools.
Lawrence Elementary School was awarded $1,500, followed by Lawrence Primary School with $1,000 In the Lawrence school district, Shaw Avenue School received $750, also in Valley Stream, Lawrence Woodmere Academy in Woodmere was awarded $500, Valley Stream Christian Academy received $350 and Wheeler Elementary School, another Valley Stream school rounded out the list with $250.
Saturday’s event featured families and students showing their school spirit. Children and parents alike arrived wearing school gear, cheering and celebrating as each PTA was called up to receive a ceremonial check. PTA members accepted the checks on behalf of their school communities.
Green Acres Mall developed the School Cents program to encourage community involvement and support for local education. By transforming routine visits to the mall into fundraising opportunities, the program provides additional financial resources to help PTAs support student programs, family engagement and enrichment activities.
“It’s heartening to see Green Acres not only investing in the future of our children through the School Cents program, but also helping teach them the importance of saving and investing in their communities,” Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages said. “This powerful partnership between Green Acres and our PTAs raises vital funds for our schools while instilling valuable life lessons in the next generation.”
The initiative is part of Green Acres’ broader community outreach efforts. The mall is currently undergoing a 400,000-square-foot redevelopment, which will include a new 80,000-square-foot ShopRite supermarket, additional dining options, new green spaces and a redesigned northeast entrance. Green Acres already houses a wide range of national retailers and restaurants, including Macy’s, Old Navy, Uniqlo, Primark, HomeGoods, Burlington, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Chipotle and Buffalo Wild Wings.
The School Cents program is one of several community-focused initiatives hosted by Green Acres and other Macerich properties across New York, which include The Shops at Atlas Park, Queens Center and Kings Plaza.
With participation from families and PTA leaders, the School Cents program has become a consistent source of support for local education and a reflection of the strong community ties within Valley Stream.
More information about the School Cents program and Green Acres Mall can be found at ShopGreenAcres.com.
