Blackstone Valley Tech Awarded $116k State Grant for Advanced Technology
Oct 29, 2020 06:00AM ● By Pamela Johnson
UPTON – As students in distance learning rely on technology, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded the Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District a $116,735 Remote Learning Technology Essentials grant. It has allowed the district to purchase over 100 Dell laptops to distribute to students for distance learning.
"This grant allowed our school to address and respond to the unique needs of our students with access to the tools and technology required to navigate this school year at no additional cost to our district towns," said Technology Director, Rosetta Spino.
The focus areas for funding include assistive technology for those with individualized education plans, 504 plans, and distance-learning technology needs. The supplemental funds ensure that students have access to the technology they need to strengthen instruction both at home and in the classroom. This grant is one of several funding sources designed to help Massachusetts school districts address COVID-19-related costs as schools reopen.
“Access to technology is critical for students and their education,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These technology grants are just one way in which we are working with districts to help them face the challenges associated with COVID-19 and keep kids focused on learning.”
“Our School Committee has consistently encouraged us to advance our instructional resources via grants and other non-tax sources. This award will complement the municipal CARES Act dollars awarded to our member towns and shared with us,” said Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael F. Fitzpatrick.
BVT opened under hybrid tier 2 on a rotating two-week basis with one grade level on campus for in-person learning under safe conditions that are fully compliant with all guidelines, precautions, and protocols while the other three grade levels participate in distance learning.
About Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT):
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (www.valleytech.k12.ma.us) serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, BVT creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of rigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills.