Assembly Resolution No. 2073

BY: M. of A. Brabenec

CONGRATULATING Lime Kiln Elementary School upon
the occasion of winning the First in Math
Competition and attaining first place in the Nation

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those who, by achieving outstanding success in their
educational and mathematical endeavors, have inspired and brought pride
to our majestic Empire State; and

WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
the dedication and commitment of our young people who distinguish
themselves through excellence in mathematical competition; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Lime Kiln Elementary School upon the occasion of winning
the First in Math Competition and attaining first place in the Nation to
be celebrated on Friday, May 3, 2024; and

WHEREAS, The Expanded Mathematics Access Program (EMAP) is an
initiative by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), improving
education through the First in Math (FIM) online program which is
available to all K-5 students statewide; with no financial burden for
schools or families for an initial five-year period, this opportunity
for distinction in mathematics is a landmark advance toward educational
equity; and

WHEREAS, First in Math is a proven practice tool that utilizes
students' love of digital gaming to build math skills and create higher
levels of engagement; FIM's Deep Practice approach strengthens fact
fluency, automaticity, computational thinking, and other vital skills
for mathematics and STEM success, including self-monitoring, goal
setting, adaptability, and persistence; and

WHEREAS, The program provides more than 250 K-8 math games in which
students have an interest; stickers, representing points, are awarded
for successfully solving mathematical problems and completing modules; a
nationwide leaderboard is constructed with rankings which are based on
the number of points that individual students, classes, and entire
schools have earned; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
are bolstered, preparing the program's participants for success in
numerous career paths; through First in Math, students have the benefit
of individualized, self-paced, and adaptive learning; and

WHEREAS, The integral involvement of parents and teachers renders
any educational program successful; First in Math enables this
participation, combined with support and resources; NYSED's dedication
to improving mathematical proficiency sets a precedent for other states,
demonstrating a commitment to prepare students for the perpetually
changing educational innovations; and

WHEREAS, More than 5,000 schools across New York State compete on
the First in Math platform; rankings are based on the average number of
mathematical problems solved by the top 100 students in each school; the
First in Math participants of Lime Kiln Elementary School have
accomplished an impressive feat; and

WHEREAS, The First in Math Competition, an eight-month marathon,
requires immense determination, dedication, and mental fortitude; Lime
Kiln Elementary School has participated for three years, showing
significant growth in focus and dedication; the five-year grant, which
NYSED has issued, absorbs the cost of licenses for more than one million
students across New York State; and

WHEREAS, Celebrating the highest national achievement not only
brings well-deserved recognition to the diligent students of Lime Kiln
Elementary School but also serves as motivation and inspiration to other
pupils across the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to celebrate the educational and
mathematical accomplishments of remarkable schools, such as Lime Kiln
Elementary School, and the participants in the First in Math
Competition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Lime Kiln Elementary School upon the occasion of winning
the First in Math Competition and attaining first place in the Nation;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Lime Kiln Elementary School.