Jarrid’s Corner at Midland School Dedicated to the Boy We Loved
– By April Miller – The Rye Record
It was a bittersweet afternoon for the Midland School community Sept. 6, 2006 — remembering a beloved classmate and celebrating the opening of a new, improved playground.
The Midland North Playground Grand Opening ceremony began with the dedication of Jarrid's Corner, a memorial to Jarrid Amico, the Midland fifth grader who died April 18 from injuries suffered in a tra [...]
It was a bittersweet afternoon for the Midland School community Sept. 6, 2006 — remembering a beloved classmate and celebrating the opening of a new, improved playground.
The Midland North Playground Grand Opening ceremony began with the dedication of Jarrid's Corner, a memorial to Jarrid Amico, the Midland fifth grader who died April 18 from injuries suffered in a tragic traffic accident on Midland Avenue.
Jarrid's parents, Maggie and Jimmy, and sister Allesandra, wearing T-shirts bearing Jarrid's photo, cut the ribbon to the small area at the edge of the playground. Jarrid's Corner features a dedication plaque, a bench, plantings, and a spring-flowering tree donated by the Rye Fire Department.
Speaking through tears, Mrs. Amico, thanked the Midland School community. “My son spent many happy days on the playground, so it is very special to have part of this named after him. I hope that children will come to this place to remember Jarrid.”
Jarrid's Corner was made possible through The Friends of Jarrid L. Amico Memorial 
Fund, started by Midland Parent Teacher Organization members looking for a way to memorialize the boy so that students would always remember him.
“Jarrid's Corner carries the message that he was a child who loved to play, said Midland Principal Dr. Angela Grille. “It is a beautiful legacy for a child to have a playground dedicated to him.”
Funds are being raised to award an annual scholarship in Jarrid's name to a graduating Rye student, at least until 2013, when Jarrid's class graduates. The award will go to a student who embodies Jarrid's qualities of good citizenship, sportsmanship, and school spirit.
The PTO's fund-raising efforts are also responsible for the new playground, which took 18 months and $110,000 to build. The North Playground is the second phase of the project. The South playground, meant for K-2 students, opened last December.
“We really wanted to improve the options for Midland students and for children around Rye who come here after school and on weekends,” said PTO member Robin Shainberg. “The old playground was really outdated; now, the kids have a place to play that is fun and safe.”
This new playground even has a physical fitness component. A circuit course developed with the help of Midland PE teachers and coaches will aid students in strength and balance preparation for the President's Challenge Physical Fitness Test.
McKenzie Martin, 8, appreciates the lengths parents have gone to to make the playground possible. “This is much better than the last one," said Miss Martin. "It really wasn't fun to play here before and there were a lot of bee's nests. Now, there is a lot to do, and the rock climbing wall is really fun.”
As she watched children race around the new play structures, Mrs. Amico smiled. “Jarrid would have loved it here. I wouldn't be surprised if he's running around here right now.”
To contribute to the scholarship award, make checks payable to Rye City School - Jarrid L. Amico Memorial Scholarship and mail to M. Willoughby, 60 Orchard Lane, Rye, N.Y. 10580.
– By April Miller – The Rye Record
It was a bittersweet afternoon for the Midland School community Sept. 6, 2006 — remembering a beloved classmate and celebrating the opening of a new, improved playground.
The Midland North Playground Grand Opening ceremony began with the dedication of Jarrid's Corner, a memorial to Jarrid Amico, the Midland fifth grader who died April 18 from injuries suffered in a tragic traffic accident on Midland Avenue.
Jarrid's parents, Maggie and Jimmy, and sister Allesandra, wearing T-shirts bearing Jarrid's photo, cut the ribbon to the small area at the edge of the playground. Jarrid's Corner features a dedication plaque, a bench, plantings, and a spring-flowering tree donated by the Rye Fire Department.
Speaking through tears, Mrs. Amico, thanked the Midland School community. “My son spent many happy days on the playground, so it is very special to have part of this named after him. I hope that children will come to this place to remember Jarrid.”
Jarrid's Corner was made possible through The Friends of Jarrid L. Amico Memorial Fund, started by Midland Parent Teacher Organization members looking for a way to memorialize the boy so that students would always remember him.
“Jarrid's Corner carries the message that he was a child who loved to play, said Midland Principal Dr. Angela Grille. “It is a beautiful legacy for a child to have a playground dedicated to him.”
Funds are being raised to award an annual scholarship in Jarrid's name to a graduating Rye student, at least until 2013, when Jarrid's class graduates. The award will go to a student who embodies Jarrid's qualities of good citizenship, sportsmanship, and school spirit.
The PTO's fund-raising efforts are also responsible for the new playground, which took 18 months and $110,000 to build. The North Playground is the second phase of the project. The South playground, meant for K-2 students, opened last December.
“We really wanted to improve the options for Midland students and for children around Rye who come here after school and on weekends,” said PTO member Robin Shainberg. “The old playground was really outdated; now, the kids have a place to play that is fun and safe.”
This new playground even has a physical fitness component. A circuit course developed with the help of Midland PE teachers and coaches will aid students in strength and balance preparation for the President's Challenge Physical Fitness Test.
McKenzie Martin, 8, appreciates the lengths parents have gone to to make the playground possible. “This is much better than the last one," said Miss Martin. "It really wasn't fun to play here before and there were a lot of bee's nests. Now, there is a lot to do, and the rock climbing wall is really fun.”
As she watched children race around the new play structures, Mrs. Amico smiled. “Jarrid would have loved it here. I wouldn't be surprised if he's running around here right now.”
To contribute to the scholarship award, make checks payable to Rye City School - Jarrid L. Amico Memorial Scholarship and mail to M. Willoughby, 60 Orchard Lane, Rye, N.Y. 10580.
Jim, I just want you to know that I think about your son EVERY time I drive by the site. It’s not just in Rye, of course, where there’s a problem. In Harrison just this morning, there was a school bus on my tail speeding through a school zone, and it nearly rear-ended me at two stop signs as I drove my middle-schooler to school. Everybody around here is in a hurry. It’s not like that everywhere – in other places, people are much more considerate (I’m not from around here!). Just two years ago, a year after Jarrid’s death, my 6-year-old daughter walked out from behind a car and was struck, right in front of my house, right in front of my eyes, with me yelling at her to stay put. She thought it was funny to disobey. The guy was not speeding, just driving home from work. I thought she was dead as she lay motionless. It was just a broken wrist, but I agonized for weeks over the possibility of a slow bleed or head injury. She has no memory of the actual hit. It was the worst day of my life and I still have nightmares, and hold her hand tightly, as she still has the tendency to dart out without thinking. We were lucky. My heart goes out to you, as I CAREFULLY drive around this county and everywhere else (and always have!). Just wanted you to know that Jarrid’s death had an impact on me and probably many others you’re not aware of.
One safety tip ( I don’t know if this appears already on the website) is to scan/sweep your eyes under parked cars for shadows of possible pedestrians as you drive.
Kris, in Harrison
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Very nice website Jim and Maggie. A nice tribute to your son and your efforts to make Rye a safer place for all.
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