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Nassau BOCES educators awarded grants to benefit students

Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation grant award ceremony

Nassau BOCES employees were awarded grants totaling more than $74 thousand through the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation. This was the largest amount awarded since the program’s inception in 2007. The grants will be used to purchase equipment for a sensory classroom, a sensory table, playtime skills for an outdoor classroom and more.

“Over the years we have supported a lot of exciting projects that have had an impact on our students,” said Dr. John Gangemi, Foundation Chairperson. “A total of 322 grants equaling almost half a million dollars have been awarded in the past 14 years.”

Students at Children’s Readiness Center will benefit from a grant to buy Oodles of Seating and Movement Options, Sensational Sensory Bins for Speech and Language Fun and Shoebox TASKS. Funds were also awarded for students to attend college classes at Nassau Community College and Farmingdale State College.

Long Island High School for the Arts students will have the opportunity to learn from professionals from the Ballet Hispanico Workshop and the Joe Iconis Composition Project for Musical Theatre ensemble, along with trips to the Museum of Moving Image and the Philadelphia Museum of Art thanks to grants from the Foundation.

“This foundation is a fine example of an extended family. The resources help to supplement what we do here at Nassau BOCES,” said Dr. Robert R. Dillon, Nassau BOCES District Superintendent.

Grant-funded teaching innovation is just one way the agency fulfills its goal to ensure student success. Nassau BOCES will continue to set the standard for high-quality programs and services that enable all students to reach their full potential.

The Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting initiatives beyond the scope of the agency's budget. The organization raises funds through events such as its annual gala recognizing honorees of the Nassau BOCES Education Partner awards program. Now in its 14th year, the awards program honors people and organizations that share Nassau BOCES' commitment to public education.