One Brooklyn
September 30, 2016
BROOKLYN, NY, September 30, 2016: Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams detailed more than $26 million invested in nearly 150 schools throughout Brooklyn, with a 95 percent focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education initiatives, from his Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) funds; the figure represents more than half of his capital budget and a doubling of his STEM-focused educational spending from last year. He made the announcement on Tuesday at IS 228 David A. Boody in Gravesend, which is set to receive a $570,000 allocation for the construction and outfitting of a state-of-the-art STEM lab; the facility will be utilized as part of the South Brooklyn Engineering Pipeline — a new curriculum and teacher training partnership between local elementary, middle, and high schools as well as Kingsborough Community College — that he launched with a science fair spotlighting the STEM projects that students will engage in as part of the program. Borough President Adams highlighted the impact that education projects he is funding will have across Brooklyn in schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to higher education, including public, charter, and private institutions.
“A noted educator once said, ‘Don’t tell me where your priorities are…show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are,’” said Borough President Adams. “As I unveil more than $26 million for education — the largest allocation of my FY17 capital budget — I am prioritizing the students of Brooklyn. This effort is a direct reflection of my commitment over the last year to actively recruit school administrators to join our shared mission of focusing their institutions’ future growth in the critical academic fields of STEM. Through the expansion of continuing projects such as Growing Brooklyn’s Future and textbook-free learning, as well as new initiatives such as the South Brooklyn Engineering Pipeline, it’s clear that we’re not simply investing in education; we’re investing in innovation.”
“We thank Borough President Adams for his commitment to STEM education that prepares our students for college and careers in the 21st century, including his Code Brooklyn initiative,” said New York City Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “I look forward to continued collaboration that serves the students and families of Brooklyn.”
“The generosity of Borough President Adams’ STEM grant will really have an impact on inspiring students and making them more college- and career-ready,” said Dominick D’Angelo, principal of IS 228 David A. Boody. “It’s going to help give them that competitive edge. This is a powerful and productive example of collaboration at its best.”
The South Brooklyn Engineering Pipeline is a collaborative that, in addition to IS 228 David A. Boody, includes PS 188 Michael E. Berdy in Coney Island, IS 291 Joseph B. Cavallaro in Gravesend, Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies in Coney Island, and Kingsborough Community College in Manhattan Beach. In total, Borough President Adams allocated more than $2 million to these institutions, which will fund the creation of fabrication laboratories that help teach 3D printing, robotics, and other engineering applications. Kingsborough Community College received an additional $250,000 for the continued construction of its marina.
“As a CUNY [City University of New York] graduate himself, Borough President Adams understands the need for investment in a quality public education,” said Farley Herzek, president of Kingsborough Community College. “His support of Kingsborough’s STEM program and the college’s infrastructure assures that we will be able to continue providing opportunities for our students.”
“We would like to thank Borough President Adams and his team for the funding of our pipeline,” said Edward A. Wilensky, principal at Rachel Carson High School for Coastal Studies. “We are going to make you and the borough of Brooklyn PROUD.”
Also in Gravesend, Borough President Adams allotted $800,000 for a STEM lab utilized for teacher training at PS/IS 686 Brooklyn School of Inquiry, $200,000 for laptops and smartboards at PS 97 The Highlawn, $100,000 for STEM labs at PS 95 The Gravesend, $100,000 for a technology lab at PS 216 Arturo Toscanini, as well as $50,000 for laptops and smartboards at Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders. Borough President Adams contributed to two additional schools in Coney Island, including $200,000 for a coding laboratory at IS 239 Mark Twain and $150,000 for softball field upgrades at Abraham Lincoln High School, as well as PS 195 Manhattan Beach in nearby Manhattan Beach, which received $100,000 for laptops and smartboards.
“Borough President Adams is our education president!” said Ari A. Hoogenboom, principal of Abraham Lincoln High School. “We are grateful for his personal and financial support!”
“We are so excited to receive funds from Borough President Adams!” said Karen Ditolla, principal of IS 239 Mark Twain. “IS 239 Mark Twain will use these generous funds to transform our labs into state of the art, 21st century coding labs. Eat, sleep, code!”
“Technology is an integral part of academic, social, and emotional learning at PS 97 The Highlawn,” said Irina Cabello, principal of PS 97 The Highlawn. “This funding will allow our school to bring technology to the forefront of teaching and will help individualize the learning experience for our students.”
Through a partnership with Beam Center, a non-profit creative space for youth in the Columbia Street Waterfront District, Borough President Adams apportioned $100,000 each to five schools for their own fabrication laboratories — also known as “FabLabs” — that link art, design, and technology to expand the applicability of STEM education; the institutions are Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice in Bedford-Stuyvesant, West Brooklyn Community High School in Borough Park, City Polytechnic High School in Downtown Brooklyn, MS 442 Carroll Gardens School for Innovation in Gowanus, and South Brooklyn Community High School in Red Hook.
“Ensuring our schools have the resources they need is a critical concern for parents, students, teachers, and school communities across my district, and I’m thrilled to have partnered with Borough President Adams to invest in new technologies and programs for our local schools,” said Council Member Brad Lander. “This fiscal year, Borough President Adams has invested funds to put in new smartboards and replace outdated ones at PS 372 The Children’s School, build on STEM programming at PS 133 William A. Butler, create a new green roof classroom for experiments at PS 146 The Brooklyn New School, build out the tech capabilities at PS/MS 282 Park Slope School, and work with the Beam Center to bring a FabLab to MS 442 Carroll Gardens School for Innovation and West Brooklyn Community High School. These investments will go a long way to ensuring Brooklyn kids develop the STEM skills they need.”
“Beam Center thanks Borough President Adams for funding FabLabs in five public schools in the diverse neighborhoods of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Borough Park, Downtown Brooklyn, Gowanus, and Red Hook,” said Brian Cohen, executive director of Beam Center. “This bold vision to support cutting-edge digital fabrication labs will expand the possibilities for teachers and students to learn through innovation and invention.”
“MS 442 Carroll Gardens School for Innovation is grateful to Borough President Adams for our FabLab and for supporting STEM education for our students,” said Noreen Mills, principal of MS 442 Carroll Gardens School for Innovation.
To expand Growing Brooklyn’s Future, an urban farming education initiative that he launched last year with 12 schools across Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Canarsie, Cypress Hills, and East New York, Borough President Adams designated an additional $560,000 to support greenhouse studies at four institutions. The schools earning funds for this effort are PS 599 Brooklyn Landmark School in Bedford-Stuyvesant, which obtained $200,000 for a STEM lab and greenhouse; PS 146 The Brooklyn New School in Carroll Gardens, which took in $115,000 for a green roof classroom; Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School in Mapleton, which received $200,000 for their greenhouse project, and IS 278 Marine Park in Marine Park, which got $45,000 to transform a science classroom into a hydroponic farm.
“The entire FDR school community is extremely grateful for the generous funding from Borough President Adams,” said Melanie Katz, principal of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) High School. “It allows us to build our STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program for our students. These funds will be used to build a greenhouse and plan for a program in aquaponics, providing real-life learning opportunities. This is especially important in bringing high-quality, STEAM instruction to all students at FDR.”
In support of the City’s pre-kindergarten expansion and with his focus on STEM education in mind, Borough President Adams dedicated more than $2.8 million for STEM labs at early childhood education centers across southern and western Brooklyn, covering Community School Districts 15, 20, 21, and 22.
“The District 20 Pre-K Center program is so very excited to have been awarded $1,482,000 as part of the capital funding initiative for education by Borough President Adams,” said Dianne V. Gounardes, director of early childhood education for Community School District 20. “We look forward to implementing a sustainable STEAM program for our pre-k teachers and students using technology to complement our science curriculum by providing hands-on, inquiry-based learning opportunities. Exposing our children to these technology tools will engage them at an early age and plant the seeds that will encourage them to pursue high-tech careers.”
Borough President Adams furthered his interest in promoting textbook-free learning through allocations to a number of schools across the borough, including $200,000 for a pilot program at MS 763 Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy in East Flatbush, $200,000 for laptops and tablets to advance paperless learning at PS 243 The Weeksville School in Crown Heights, and $100,000 for a Chromebook for All program being implemented by MS 447 The Math and Science Exploratory School in Boerum Hill. Textbook-free classrooms have been a pursuit of Borough President Adams’ since his inauguration, and two years ago he embarked on a successful pilot program with PS 196 Ten Eyck and MS 582 The Upper Academy, located jointly in East Williamsburg, as well as Eagle Academy for Young Men II in Bedford-Stuyvesant; the findings of that program are included in a report on digital learning that he released in June, a copy of which can be found on his website, brooklyn-usa.org.
“MS 763 Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy would like to thank Borough President Adams for his hard work and dedication towards providing technology in schools, ours especially,” said Angela DeFilippis, principal at MS 763 Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy. “We are a STEM school and not only do we aim to teach students about technology, but we want our students to be familiar with the most advanced technology via hands-on and project-based learning. The 21st century classroom is meant to teach and prepare students about our society’s evolution with technology. Borough President Adams’ budget allocations will help ensure our students are prepared and ready for the now 21st century enterprises and industries. We are grateful for the opportunity to actualize our vision of becoming a fully-digitized school.”
Sheepshead Bay had seven schools that received grants from Borough President Adams: IS 98 Bay Academy, which accepted $250,000 for STEM labs; Origins High School, which garnered $250,000 for security cameras; P77K, which was given $150,000 for laptops to assist their programs educating students with autism; PS 811 Connie Lekas School, which acquired $104,000 for STEM labs; IS 14 Shell Bank, which collected $100,000 for a technology center supporting both student and parent enrichment; PS/IS 206 Joseph F. Lamb, which obtained $100,000 for a computer lab and school-wide electrical upgrades, and PS 254 Dag Hammarskjold, which took in $100,000 for STEM and technology infrastructure.
“IS 98 Bay Academy is honored to receive the capital funding grant from Borough President Adams,” said Nicole D’Agosta, assistant principal of IS 98 Bay Academy. “The funding will be utilized to further enhance our STEM program. We look forward to positive outcomes throughout the year.”
“The building council of the Frank J. Macchiarola Educational Complex sends sincere thanks and gratitude to Borough President Adams for his support of our unique facility needs,” said David A. Elliott, school business manager of Origins High School. “Whether a shared computer science lab, a major upgrade and overhaul to our auditorium, or more humble upgrades and updates to the physical spaces that we share among our four schools, we appreciate his commitment to the betterment of our campus for the benefit of Brooklyn’s children.”
“We are so excited and fortunate to be receiving FY17 funds!” said John J. Norton, interim acting principal of PS 254 Dag Hammarskjold. “PS 254 Dag Hammarskjold will be using the funds to support our STEM initiative.”
“The support from Borough President Adams will allow the students of PS 811 Connie Lekas School greater access to technology,” said Antoinette Rose, principal of PS 811 Connie Lekas School. “We are truly grateful.”
Madison’s James Madison High School and Homecrest’s IS 234 Arthur W. Cunningham obtained $250,000 for a STEAM robotics lab and $125,000 for a coding and robotics collaboration project, respectively, from Borough President Adams. He gave $150,000 to PS 203 Floyd Bennett School for smartboards and $100,000 to PS 251 Paerdegat for computer lab upgrades; both schools are located in Flatlands.
“Borough President Adams is helping to transform the James Madison High School community so that our students can be competitive leaders in the 21st century,” said Jodie Cohen, principal of James Madison High School. “We are grateful for the opportunities that his budgetary allocations towards improvement of technology and of our facilities provide.”
“We at PS 251 Paerdegat would like to thank Borough President Adams for his contribution to the students,” said Sheldon Noel, principal of PS 251 Paerdegat. “Borough President Adams has always been an advocate of education and has supported many schools. We are truly and deeply honored to be one the schools chosen to receive his support for the 2017 fiscal year.”
In Canarsie, Borough President Adams allocated $200,000 to IS 211 John Wilson for school-wide laptops, $125,000 to PS 276 Louis Marshall for technology lab upgrades and smartboards, $100,000 to PS/IS 66 for a STEM lab and technology infrastructure, and $64,000 to Brooklyn Generation School for portable technology infrastructure.
Borough President Adams provided grants to seven East New York schools: $250,000 for technology upgrades at PS 158 Warwick, $150,000 for science lab upgrades at Transit Tech Career and Technical Education High School, $142,000 for a school library at Passages Academy – Belmont, $104,000 for STEM labs at Invictus Preparatory Charter School, $100,000 for technology upgrades at PS 325 The Fresh Creek School, $100,000 for technology upgrades at PS 273 Wortman, and $70,000 for an engineering learning laboratory at IS 364 Gateway. In Cypress Hills, he gave $250,000 to PS 290 Juan Morel Campos for a STEAM library center, $100,000 to PS 7 Abraham Lincoln for technology infrastructure, and $75,000 to the Academy of Innovative Technology for a graphic arts computer lab within the school’s career and technical education (CTE) department.
“The capital funding will support my school’s technology infrastructure, but more importantly it will have a long standing impact on my students’ lives,” said Cynthia Fowlkes, principal of the Academy of Innovative Technology. “They will learn the technology skills they can use productively as citizens of our lovely city, our nation, and our global society.”
“Invictus Preparatory Charter School’s new A+ Mobile STEM Cart will equip and inspire scholars not only to learn about science, but to be scientists themselves, asking real questions and learning through hand-on STEM experiences,” said Dr. Camille S. Bell, executive director of Invictus Preparatory Charter School. “Equipping classrooms with fun and engaging STEM tools is one of the most important investments that can be made in Brooklyn’s future. The Invictus Preparatory Charter School community appreciates Borough President Adams’ foresight and strong advocacy for creating engaging STEM environments for Brooklyn kids, and we are honored to facilitate this mission!”
“Borough President Adams’ generosity of $250,000 will soon be hard at work, helping us to provide our children with technology skills necessary for this competitive, global society,” said Willena George, principal of PS 290 Juan Morel Campos.
“At PS 325 The Fresh Creek School, we strive to educate our scholars for the technologically advancing and changing world,” said Jacqueline Danvers-Coombs, principal of PS 325 The Fresh Creek School. “A world-class education includes not only the study of literacy and mathematics, but technology and the arts as well. This grant is an essential part of our preparations in instilling such an education. We truly appreciate the continued support we have received from the honorable Borough President Adams throughout the years.”
Five schools in Bushwick were given funding by Borough President Adams. The list of allocations in that neighborhood includes: $150,000 for technology infrastructure at JHS 162 The Willoughby; $150,000 for technology upgrades to support students with special needs at PS 53K; $100,000 for STEM labs at PS 145 Andrew Jackson; $100,000 for laptops and smartboards at PS 274 Kosciusko, and $35,000 for a mobile maker space at PS 376 Felisa Rincón de Gautier. He also contributed grants to three East Williamsburg institutions: $104,000 for STEM labs at the High School for Enterprise, Business, and Technology; $100,000 for computer lab upgrades at MS 582 The Upper Academy, and $100,000 for technology upgrades at PS 147 Isaac Remsen.
“The PS 53K school community is grateful to Borough President Adams for his continuous support and generosity to our special students with disabilities,” said Kenny Taveras, parent coordinator of PS 53K.
“The PS 145 Andrew Jackson community is very excited to receive this funding from Borough President Adams for our STEM initiative,” said Linda Malloy, principal of PS 145 Andrew Jackson. “We will now be able to have our students experience STEM-based activites and experiments using a mobile STEM cart, which will help prepare them for college and career.”
“In working with Borough President Adams and staff, we were delighted that they had consistently focused on the importance of educating our students and how to make teachers’ jobs more impactful,” said Brian Walsh, principal of MS 582 The Upper Academy. “We would not have accomplished our goal of closing the achievement gap through technology for our students if it were not for their seeing us as a partnership with consistent guidance, every step of the way, through the capital budget application process.”
Williamsburg had a total of nine schools that were awarded funds from Borough President Adams’ capital budget: PS 18 Edward Bush, which got $200,000 for STEM labs; PS 257 John F. Hylan, which garnered $200,000 for air conditioning and STEM labs; IS 318 Eugenio Maria de Hostos, which collected $125,000 for electrical and technology upgrades; Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design, which accepted $105,000 for architecture studio upgrades and laptop carts; PS 84 José De Diego, which earned $104,000 for STEM labs; PS 380 John Wayne Elementary, which brought in $104,000 for STEM labs; Beginning with Children Charter School 2, which acquired $100,000 for technology upgrades; Green School: An Academy for Environmental Careers, which took in $100,000 for a computer lab focused on CTE programming, and MS 577 Conselyea Preparatory School, which obtained $100,000 for a coding lab, flight simulator, and technology infrastructure. Additionally, he assigned $100,000 to PS 110 The Monitor in Greenpoint for classroom technology upgrades.
“Borough President Adams is underwriting essential classroom technology for 700 economically disadvantaged Brooklyn children attending Beginning with Children Charter School 2 and Community Partnership Charter School,” said Nancy Lewson Kurz, CEO of Beginning with Children. “As a result, our students will advance their academic proficiency, technology literacy, and better prepare to compete with their privileged peers in a global economy. Borough President Adams is furthering our efforts in leveling the playing field in public education in favor of some of New York City’s most under-resourced children.”
“We are elated to receive funding from Borough President Adams for technology advances to support our new software engineering program,” said Cara Tait-Fanor, principal of Green School: An Academy for Environmental Careers. “With the funding, we have built a new computer lab that enables our school to provide students with access to career and technical education. Thanks to Borough President Adams, students will have hands-on experience with coding, and will also have access to Advanced Placement computer science.”
“It is uplifting to see how Borough President Adams is committed to education,” said Sereida Rodriguez-Guerra, principal of PS 84 José De Diego. “Granting our school the opportunity to purchase STEM labs for both our elementary and middle school students shows how forward thinking he is in making sure our children are receiving a well-balanced education.”
Three Downtown Brooklyn academic institutions benefitted from Borough President Adams’ budget: the aforementioned City Polytechnic High School; Science Skills Center High School, which secured $840,000 for technology infrastructure to support their coding curriculum, and New York City College of Technology, which procured $250,000 for technology upgrades. In Fort Greene, he provided $200,000 to the Academy of Arts and Letters for laptops; $150,000 to MS 113 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center for technology upgrades; $150,000 to PS 753 Brooklyn School for Career Development for STEM labs; $100,000 to PS 11 Purvis J. Behan for computer lab upgrades, and $75,000 to PS 287 Bailey K. Ashford for a STEAM lab.
“Borough President Adams is a strong and longstanding advocate for education, including CUNY,” said Judy Bergtraum, vice chancellor for facilities of CUNY. “During FY17, CUNY’s colleges in Brooklyn will benefit from nearly $1.23 million in capital allocations from Borough President Adams’ office. This will make possible important upgrades in electrical systems at Brooklyn College; technology programs at New York City College of Technology, as well as physical sciences equipment and the college marina at Kingsborough Community College. On behalf of CUNY’s students, faculty, and staff, I wish to express my deep appreciation to Borough President Adams for his steadfast support.”
“The Academy of Arts and Letters is so grateful for the technology grant that Borough President Adams awarded us,” said John O’Reilly, principal of the Academy of Arts and Letters. “The new technology will greatly enhance the learning going on in our classrooms. This support, paired with the other ways in which Borough President Adams advocates for public schools, are dearly felt by our community.”
“We are so excited to receive funding for technology that will allow each student in our school to own a laptop,” said Dahlia McGregor, principal of Science Skills Center High School. “This will make our school closer to fully implement the use of e-textbooks and all students to pursue a course in computer science. We will become a ‘center for technology’ equipped with 21st century tools to support our students, who are digital natives. Science Skills Center High School students, staff, and parents are grateful to Borough President Adams and his team for the kindness and consideration that they have extended to our school.”
“We want to thank Borough President Adams for the $100,000 award to modernize our aged computer lab and revolutionize the way we engage our students in the STEM subjects,” said Emily Chen, PTA co-vice president for PS 11 Purvis J. Behan. “The words he shared further illustrate Borough President Adams’ leadership to improve education and access to opportunities for our children.”
Community Partnership Charter School, which has its lower school in Clinton Hill and its middle school in Bedford-Stuyvesant, was granted $200,000 by Borough President Adams for technology upgrades at both locations. In addition to this as well as the abovementioned Nelson Mandela School for Social Justice and PS 599 Brooklyn Landmark School, Borough President Adams allocated capital funds to an additional 12 schools in Bedford-Stuyvesant: $450,000 to the Gotham Professional Arts Academy for a ‘green’ auditorium; $200,000 to Bedford Academy High School for a computer laboratory and digital library; $200,000 to PS 59 William Floyd for a library media center and STEM labs; $200,000 to PS 297 Abraham Stockton for STEM infrastructure to support coding and robotics curriculum; $150,000 to Eagle Academy for Young Men II for a fitness center and technology upgrades; $150,000 to PS 23 Carter G. Woodson for an expansion of their STEAM program; $150,000 to PS 54 The Magnet School for Environmental Science, Technology and Community Wellness for labs focused on a variety of STEM disciplines; $150,000 to the Upper School at PS 25 for a computer science and robotics laboratory; $100,000 to PS 25 Eubie Blake School for STEM labs; $100,000 to PS 305 Dr. Peter Ray for technology upgrades; $82,000 to PS/IS 157 The Benjamin Franklin Health & Science Academy for STEM labs, and $60,000 to PS 44 Marcus Garvey for STEM labs.
“Bedford Academy High School administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents, and the community are grateful for the generous contribution from the office of Borough President Adams,” said Robert JB Calungsod, math teacher at Bedford Academy High School. “This endeavor of making our students technologically current will go a long way in our goal to ‘prepare today’s scholars for tomorrow’s world.’”
“The Community Partnership Charter School community is so grateful to have been awarded this grant,” said Jubilee Mosley, principal of Community Partnership Charter School. “Our mission is to provide scholars with a high-quality, well-rounded education and this grant will most certainly help us to accomplish this goal. It will help to ensure we are able to use technology as a way to further engage scholars in learning and foster positive, exciting, and unforgettable learning experiences every day.”
Borough President Adams designated funds to go to five schools in Brownsville: $200,000 for a STEM hub to PS/IS 184 Newport; $150,000 for technology infrastructure to Teachers Preparatory High School; $104,000 for auditorium upgrades, bathroom renovations, and STEM labs to PS 150 Christopher; $100,000 for laptops and smartboards to Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy (KAPPA) V, and $100,000 for a computer lab to PS/IS 41 Francis White.
“Thank you Borough President Adams for always putting the needs of our school district at the forefront,” said Ronda Phillips, interim acting principal of KAPPA V. “KAPPA V is forever grateful for the donation to our school. With this money, we are able to upgrade the outdated technology so our students can open their minds and dream beyond. Sometimes it takes one person to see your school’s vision and reach out with a spark to give our scholars hope. KAPPA V expresses its gratitude.”
“PS/IS 41 Francis White is very excited to be adding to the technology available to our students,” said Theresa Siegel, principal of PS/IS 41 Francis White. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our school community. We thank Borough President Adams for the funding that will help transform the learning experiences of our students.”
“PS 150 Christopher is thrilled about being included in Borough President Adams’ allocation,” said Pamela Bradley, principal of PS 150 Christopher. “Thank you.”
“On behalf of the PS/IS 184 Newport community, we are honored and excited to be able to enhance our students’ educational experiences via the support of Borough President Adams,” said Lisa Linder, principal of PS/IS 184 Newport. “Technology in the 21st century is forever changing and we want to ensure that our students are provided with the necessary technological tools and resources to be college- and career-ready. The development of our educational STEM hub will prove to be an educational asset for our students.”
“We are very excited about this capital fund allocation,” said Carmen Simon, principal of Teachers Preparatory High School. “Thank you for considering our school!”
In Crown Heights, in addition to the previously noted PS 243 The Weeksville School, Borough President Adams awarded $456,000 in capital funding to the International High School at Prospect Heights for STEM labs, $200,000 to Clara Barton High School for computer labs upgrades and smartboards, $200,000 to PS 705 Brooklyn Arts and Science Elementary School for a technology-driven classroom, $150,000 to PS 316 Elijah G. Stroud for technology infrastructure, $100,000 to the High School for Global Citizenship for library technology upgrades, $100,000 to PS 12 Dr. Jacqueline Peek-Davis School for technology infrastructure, $100,000 to PS 241 Emma L. Johnston for STEM labs, $100,000 to PS 289 George V. Brower for advancing their STEM program, $100,000 to MS 484 Ronald Edmonds Learning Center II for technology infrastructure, and $55,000 for STEM labs at PS 138. He also allotted $150,000 for a computer lab at PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen in Prospect Heights.
“On behalf of the children, families, faculty, and staff of the International High School at Prospect Heights, I would like to express our gratitude to Borough President Adams for these generous technology grants,” said Nedda de Castro, principal at the International High School at Prospect Heights. “They are a dream come true! This funding will allow our students to have full access to the technology they need to develop the 21st century skills that are essential to their futures. Thank you for your dedication to the children and families of Brooklyn and for making a difference.”
“The entire PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen school community extends a sincere thank you to Borough President Adams for his consistent commitment to public education,” said Sandra D’Avilar, principal of PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen. “At PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen, we strive to educate the whole child, and computer science is a vital part of our well-rounded STEAM curriculum. It’s no exaggeration to say that we are ecstatic about this funding, which we will use to transform a 1960’s classroom into a fully-functioning 21st century technology lab that will help us to provide our children with the skills they need to succeed.”
“This technology upgrade is going to make a huge difference in how teachers deliver instruction and, ultimately, it will have a tremendous impact on student outcomes,” said Sandra Soto, principal of PS 705 Brooklyn Arts and Science Elementary School. “Thank you for empowering my students to become more active participants in their own learning.”
Borough President Adams granted $100,000 for computer carts to PS 261 Philip Livingston in Boerum Hill, in addition to $60,000 for digital arts and cinema classrooms studios at Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School in Carroll Gardens, and $100,000 for smartboards at PS 372 The Children’s School in Gowanus. In Park Slope, he allocated $104,000 for STEM labs to PS 133 William A. Butler and $75,000 for library technology upgrades to PS/MS 282 Park Slope School. Two South Slope schools benefitted as well from Borough President Adams’ allocations, with $200,000 heading to PS 10 Magnet School of Math, Science and Design Technology for a technology-enhanced gymnasium and $100,000 going to MS 88 Peter Rouget for a STEAM design studio.
“Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School is extremely grateful to Borough President Adams for supporting our STEAM initiative and awarding our school $60,000 in capital funding,” said Dawn Meconi, principal of Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School. “With this funding we will be able to purchase computers powerful enough to run graphic design and editing software, industry standard digital drawing tablets, 3D printers, digital cinema cameras, camera supports and stabilizers, as well as lighting and sound equipment for our cinema production and digital art studios. As a result of Borough President Adams’ generosity, our students will graduate career- and college-ready with the technical skills needed to give them a competitive edge.”
Sunset Park is home to four schools receiving allocations from Borough President Adams’ capital budget: Sunset Park High School, which garnered $200,000 for a high-tech library media center; IS 136 Charles O. Dewey, which received $100,000 for smartboards; PS 69 Vincent D. Grippo, which acquired $100,000 for STEM labs, and PS 506 The School Of Journalism & Technology, which obtained $100,000 for technology infrastructure. Borough President Adams also contributed $100,000 each to PS 105 The Blythebourne for technology upgrades and PS/IS 180 The SEEALL Academy for a STEAM laboratory focused on robotics; both schools are located in Borough Park.
“All of us at IS 316 Charles O. Dewey are grateful for the continued support of Borough President Adams,” said Eric R. Sackler, principal of IS 316 Charles O Dewey.
“We at PS 105 The Blythebourne were thrilled and grateful to receive $100,000 in FY17 capital funding from Borough President Adams,” said Johanna Castronovo, principal of PS 105 The Blythebourne. “With these funds, we will be purchasing laptops and laptop carts to enhance the teaching of STEM and STEAM to ensure our students are college- and career-ready.”
“PS/IS 180 The SEEALL Academy is most appreciative for the grant money allocated to us, which will allow us to launch our STEAM lab initiatives,” said Gary M. Williams, principal of PS/IS 180 The SEEALL Academy.
In Bay Ridge, Borough President Adams distributed $350,000 for a media center to PS/IS 104 The Fort Hamilton School and $100,000 for laptops to PS 264 Bay Ridge Elementary School for the Arts. In addition, he allotted $200,000 for a special education kitchen and coffee shop to IS 187 The Christa McAuliffe School as well as $150,000 for STEM labs at IS 259 William McKinley, both in Dyker Heights. Bath Beach has two schools getting funded this budget cycle by Borough President Adams: PS 229 Dyker, which collected $100,000 for a technology center, and PS 748 Brooklyn School for Global Scholars, which accepted $100,000 for technology infrastructure.
“We are grateful to receive Borough President Adams’ grant in order to fulfill our school’s mission to develop technologically-sophisticated citizens of the 21st century,” said Robert Zappulla, principal of PS 229 Dyker.
“This technology grant will help our students acquire the skills they need to be successful in a complex, highly technological, knowledge-based society,” said Ursula Annio, founding principal of PS 748 Brooklyn School for Global Scholars. “This funding will ensure our students are leaders in our global community.”
Borough President Adams apportioned $713,000 for a multimedia center and technology lab at IS 96 Seth Low and $100,000 for smartboards at Brooklyn Studio Secondary School, both located in Bensonhurst. He also distributed $104,000 to PS/IS 192 The Magnet School for Math and Science Inquiry, located in Mapleton, for STEM labs.
“The Brooklyn Studio Secondary School community is grateful for the generous allocation for new smartboards and a lab upgrade,” said Andrea F. Cilotta, principal of Brooklyn Studio Secondary School. “They will surely bring our students to new levels of academic success.”
“Borough President Adams’ generosity to our school has enabled over 700 students to have access to a science lab for the first time in seven years,” said Erin Lynch, principal of IS 96 Seth Low. “Our students will now be able to have a hands-on science lab each week, which will better prepare them for high school, college, and a career. He has also generously given to our technology needs. We will soon be able to boast that every one of our classrooms has a laptop cart to give students access to virtual learning. Students are able to use online programs that support their individual learning needs. It is this type of individual support that is a game changer for struggling students. Thank you Borough President Adams for hearing our pleas and supporting our students!”
“Thank you Borough President Adams for funding two STEM lab carts for our STEM lab and helping us inspire the engineers of the future!” said Cathy Speziale Campanella, STEM coordinator of PS/IS 192 The Magnet School for Math and Science Inquiry. “We are very grateful to be a recipient.”
Edward R. Murrow High School in Midwood was the beneficiary of $500,000 in funding from Borough President Adams, supporting both a STEM-centralized experimental learning lab and a TV/media studio; that neighborhood also benefitted from a $150,000 grant to PS 193 Gil Hodges for a STEAM wing as well as from a $112,000 allocation to PS 152 School of Science and Technology for STEM Labs. Two academic institutions in Flatbush were supported by his capital budget: Brooklyn College, which received $500,000 for electrical upgrades, and Midwood High School, which garnered $260,000 for technology infrastructure. Borough President Adams additionally designated $90,000 for laptops to go to PS 139 Alexine A. Fenty in Ditmas Park.
“The generous allocation by Borough President Adams will ensure that students in one of the top high schools in New York City will have access to technology that will put them on par with their peers across New York State and this country,” said Michael McDonnell, principal of Midwood High School. “It is the vision and ability to direct funding where it is able to do the most good that separates Borough President Adams from his political colleagues.”
In East Flatbush, on top of the aforesaid MS 763 Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy, Borough President Adams funded projects at nine additional schools: $350,000 for technology infrastructure at PS 770 New American Academy, $200,000 for an art and technology center at It Takes a Village Academy, $150,000 for STEM labs at PS 189 The Bilingual Center, $100,000 for technology infrastructure at PS 181 John L. Steptoe School, $100,000 for technology upgrades at PS 208 Elsa Ebeling, $100,000 for technology upgrades at PS 235 Janice Marie Knight School, $80,000 for STEAM infrastructure at Arts & Media Preparatory Academy, $50,000 for a computer lab and smartboards at PS 269 Nostrand, and $50,000 for a technology lab at PS 398 Walter Weaver. In Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, MS 61 Dr. Gladstone H. Atwell was granted $100,000 by Borough President Adams for a library media center.
“We are extremely grateful for this appropriation from Borough President Adams,” said Deborah Glauner, principal of Arts & Media Preparatory Academy. “This funding will allow us to upgrade the technology in our classrooms, ensuring that all of our students have access to technological tools that will promote the skills needed to be successful in the 21st century.”
“Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world,” said Dr. Shannon Burton, principal of MS 61 Dr. Gladstone H. Atwell. “Thank you for always supporting our school, Borough President Adams.”
“Our community is indeed grateful and excited for the generous allocation for new smartboards and a STEM lab upgrade,” said Stephen Magalie, assistant principal of PS 189 The Bilingual Center. “They will surely bring our students to new levels of academic success.”
Following remarks by recipients, Borough President Adams presented each of them with an honorary check with the seal of Brooklyn and an oversized check, made out to “One Brooklyn,” for education. They were joined by dozens of administrators, parents, students, and teachers in celebrating the grants.
“On behalf of the students, parents, teachers and administrators of District 15, I would like to thank Borough President Adams for your generous support of education in District 15,” said Anita Skop, superintendent for Community School District 15. “He is ensuring that all children have enriching and innovative experiences by providing so many of our schools with the tools they need to promote 21st century learning. These allocations, which range from advanced technology, STEM learning labs, and even a ‘green’ roof, will enable our teachers to unlock the creativity in our students and prepare them to be the well-educated leaders of the future.”
“CEC 20 sincerely thanks Borough President Adams for allocating almost $3.8 million to our District 20 schools,” said Laurie Windsor, president of Community Education Council (CEC) District 20. “Projects ranging from technology, STEM labs, greenhouses, and special education initiatives all provide the much-needed resources for our schools to succeed. Borough President Adams clearly understands how important these resources are, as shown with the generous pre-k STEAM initiative that now our youngest learners will benefit from.”
PHOTOS
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna join Mike Danza of Kingsborough Community College in displaying a working model airplane that will be part of the curriculum for students in the South Brooklyn Engineering Pipeline, a new collaborative that Borough President Adams helped launch with more than $2 million in funding as part of his more than $26 million invested in nearly 150 schools throughout the borough in FY17; the announcement was made at PS 228 David A. Boody in Gravesend.
Photo Credit: Erica Sherman/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna celebrate more than $26 million that Brooklyn Borough Hall has invested in nearly 150 schools throughout the borough in FY17; they made the announcement at PS 228 David A. Boody in Gravesend, joined by hundreds of educators and elected officials such as Council Members Mathieu Eugene (center-right) and Jumaane D. Williams (center-left).
Photo Credit: Erica Sherman/Brooklyn BP’s Office
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