Issues: Education

Last week I had the privilege to visit with students and their teachers at Greece Athena Middle School. Students there were recognized for taking part in the district's summer reading program. Great job by all the students for your efforts this summer and getting a head start!

On Thursday evening, I had the privilege to speak at the 11th Annual Wilson Magnet High School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Induction Ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, I also had the opportunity to meet the great young men and women who enter this program as the Class of 2014! For more information on this very successful program, visit http://www.rcsdk12.org/page/17007. Best wishes to all the students on continued success!

On Tuesday, October 24th, I had the privilege to tour and visit with students at Stepping Stones Learning Center. Stepping Stones Learning Center, a not-for-profit, family centered program for children birth to 21 years of age with and without special needs. Through our community, OPWDD, clinic, and early childhood school based classroom programs, we have developed unique environments where an acceptance of diversity promotes an atmosphere where children learn and grow together and from each other; what a lifelong gift. For more information, visit http://steppingstoneslearning.com/.

I am proud to partner with the Greece Central School District to put technology into the hands of Greece elementary school students. In an effort to increase students' access to, and understanding of, technology, the district recently purchased 30 iPads for each school serving grades 3-5. I was able to access educational funding for this program. In addition to Buckman Heights, iPad stations have been added to Brookside, Craig Hill, Lakeshore, Longridge, Paddy Hill, Pine Brook, and West Ridge Elementary Schools.

Earlier this afternoon, I was privileged to join my colleagues from New York State, and the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the College of Applied Science and Technology at R.I.T. for their 40th Anniversary Celebration. The College of Applied Science and Technology (CAST) at RIT has a long-standing reputation of excellence and innovation. Established in 1972, it is one of the Institute’s largest colleges enrolling approximately one-fifth of all the students at RIT. The college offers a myriad of dynamic programs—ranging from hospitality, nutrition and service management, health systems administration, human resource development, packaging science, environmental management and safety, engineering technology, and the Army and Air Force ROTC.

Senator Gianaris attended the "New Yorkers Gun Violence Gala", an event of paramount importance aiming at informing the public about the gun violence problems.

Jack M. Martins was back in Elmont visiting the Clara H. Carlson School to participate in a special "Reading 180" program that has been established in the Covert Avenue, Clara Carlson, Dutch Broadway, Stewart Manor, Gotham Avenue and Alden Terrace Schools. The program is funded through grant funding Senator Martins was able to channel to the Elmont School District. Superintendent Al Harper, Clara Carlson School Principal Ken Rosner and Assistant Supt. Barbara Schwarz briefed Senator Martins on the program that is an aggressive reading program developed by Scholastic. "The Reading 180 program is very impressive and is working in the Elmont School District.

On Thursday morning, I had the privilege to meet with students who attend Discovery Charter School in Irondequoit. This is a new elementary public school located at the campus of Bishop Kearney High School. Currently, it has grades K through 2nd and will be adding 3rd through 6th grade. For more information on Discovery Charter School, visit their website at www.rochesterdiscovery.com.