Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino was joined by executives from Optimum Lightpath®, a market leader in Ethernet-based communication solutions for New York metropolitan area businesses, to announce the winners of its $50,000 education technology grant program for Westchester County schools. The grant recipients were announced at a ceremony held at the Michaelian Office Building.
The following schools, which were chosen from among 44 applicants, will each receive a $10,000 grant from Optimum Lightpath to advance teaching and learning with technology:
- The Biondi School of Leake & Watts – Yonkers
- Corpus Christi- Holy Rosary – Port Chester
- Mount Pleasant Blythedale UFSD – Valhalla
- Thornton High School – Mount Vernon
- Westlake High School – Thornwood
"As New York's 'Intellectual Capital,’ Westchester County views technology as a critical driver for expanding the capabilities of our businesses, government and schools," said County Executive Astorino. "In working closely with Optimum Lightpath, Westchester County has deployed a 100 percent fiber network that keeps us moving fast and ahead of the technology curve. We are pleased to see that schools receiving grants today will be among those able to take advantage of this network to enhance learning for students through unique and innovative programs."
Schools receiving an Optimum Lightpath grant plan to fund a wide range of technology based programs. These new initiatives include distance learning, virtual field trips, social initiatives for students who have been injured in an accident and cannot physically attend school, teaching of digital skills and preparation for careers in media, collaboration with outside organizations and E-book programs to improve reading fluency and better prepare students for college.
“The $50,000 in grants awarded to Westchester County schools today underscores Optimum Lightpath’s ongoing commitment to creating new opportunities for educational institutions that are powered by new, transformational technology,” said Dave Pistacchio, President, Optimum Lightpath. “We are eager to see the new innovative technology-infused education programs implemented throughout the school year and will continue to look for opportunities to help improve education opportunities throughout the New York metro area we serve.”
The grant program was open to public and private elementary and secondary schools throughout Westchester County. Grants were awarded based on how the school would:
- Leverage technology to improve instruction
- Promote the use of technology to improve the overall education experience
- Utilize new technology to promote distance learning
- Create new school initiatives centered around new technologies
An independent grant application review committee was assembled in order to ensure a thorough application evaluation process. All applications were made anonymous so as not to influence the judging process.
Optimum Lightpath works extensively with schools throughout the New York metropolitan area to deliver Ethernet-based communication services that transform education in the classroom. Schools that have deployed services from Optimum Lightpath’s Education Services Suite have cut costs, considerably increased bandwidth and enhanced teaching and learning. Read more about Optimum Lightpath’s work in the education sector.