State Grant Upgrades Technology For Seaford Students

SEAFORD, NY — Technology upgrades are on the way at the Seaford Union Free School District.

State Senator John Brooks (D-Massapequa) delivered an $835,000 funding award to the district.

"Children are our future, so it is imperative that they have access to all of the tools available at our disposal," said Senator Brooks.

The money is bringing iPads for students from kindergarten to second grade, giving a fun way to enhance learning with apps such as:

• Scratch Jr.: With Scratch Jr., young children (ages 5-7) can program their own interactive stories and games. In the process, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively on the computer.
• Boom Cards: It's a learning platform and set of tools for creating and assigning Boom Cards which are cloud-based digital learning resources, such as digital flash/task cards, quizzes and interactive lessons.
• Joy Doodle: It's a handy painting game for children to enjoy amazing doodle fun on their iPad. With 20+ magical brushes, students can doodle like an artist to unleash their imagination and creativity.

Other supplies that are being funded for the schools:

• Bee-Bots: Bee-Bot is a robot designed for use by elementary students. The colorful, easy-to-operate, and friendly little robot is a perfect tool for teaching sequencing, estimation, problem-solving, and just having fun.
• Cubelets: You can build all sorts of things with blocks. Wood and brick blocks form our homes. Inside, glass blocks filled with code blocks bend light into blocks of letters that shape our perspectives. Robot blocks can help you build better thinkers. Cubelets are designed to help students build cognitive skills so they can solve the biggest problems.
• Sphero: Sphero programmable robots help kids learn fundamental STEM concepts through play-based learning and educational STEAM activities.

"The grant monies that he has helped us secure have greatly enhanced our educational environment with the purchasing of iPads, flexible furniture, STEAM equipment and other instructional materials. He is a champion for students and we greatly appreciate his continued support," Dr. Adele Pecora, Superintendent of Schools, said.