The district has been chosen as the recipient of the highly competitive Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness (STLE3) Grant. This two-year New York State grant, which totals $804,000, will be used during the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years to fund numerous workshops and professional development training opportunities for principals and teachers at no additional cost to taxpayers.
The grant will enable the district to continue its professional development relationship with Adelphi University to expand the science curriculum at the elementary level and at Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School. District teachers will have an opportunity to work with Adelphi professors in the areas of curriculum development and the integration of technology into curriculum instruction. A portion of the grant will also be used to fund additional Smart Boards and iPads for enhanced classroom instruction. "This grant will support and strengthen our work in advancing the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math while engaging students in the sophisticated use of technology" stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kishore Kuncham. "At a time when resources are scarce, these funds, and our partnership with Adelphi, will greatly benefit our teachers and our students."
The grant also allows the district to create the position of district literacy coach for the duration of the grant funding. The literacy coach will work with the district's English language arts teachers to ensure that curriculum writing and classroom instruction are aligned with the Common Core Learning Standards.
In the area of professional development, the grant will enable six teachers to acquire their English as a Second Language certification and eight teachers to acquire their National Board certification. Principals in the district will have the opportunity to attend the Harvard University Principals Leadership Academy at Harvard University during the summer of 2014.
"This STLE3 grant will enable the district to implement several outstanding professional development initiatives without costing the district or the taxpayers any additional money," said Gerard Poole, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. "These initiatives will greatly assist in our efforts to ensure that our curriculum and classroom instruction are both effectively aligned with the Common Core Learning Standards to enable our students to be college and career ready upon graduation."
