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Clinton Schools to Receive $41K Technology Grant

Clinton Public Schools will receive $41,212 in state grant funding to help put more computers and other technology in classrooms. Clinton Superintendent of Schools Jack Cross said the district will use the money to support its Chromebook initiative at Jared Eliot Middle School.

Assistant Superintendent Maryann O’Donnell explained, “Our plan for technology at Eliot is to provide each grade-level team...a cart with 30 Chromebooks.”

Each team is made up of the four core subjects of math, science, social studies and English, and teachers on each team would share a cart. There are two teams for each grade, so a total of six carts will be outfitted. Chromebooks, which are Internet-dependent laptops, will integrate technology into students’ learning with a specific focus on research, creating, sharing, and collaborating, O’Donnell said.

“Currently, we have two Chromebook carts available to teams at the middle school, and this grant will allow us to add the additional four carts so that teachers and students will have greater access to technology for learning endeavors,” she said.

“Our district mission is to prepare independent and collaborative learners empowered to embrace the future. We believe that our district technology plan will help our students to realize that possibility. Beginning with introduction to technology for learning in our elementary schools, we have a sequenced plan, K-12, to embed technology into learning experiences and to create an environment where students and teachers will use technology to enrich learning, promote inquiry and problem-solving, and maximize our students’ potential for success beyond our walls.

O’Donnell calls the state funding “an exciting opportunity for our district and community.”

The state technology grants, which will go to 171 school districts across Connecticut, ranged from $3,169 awarded to Chester to $463,892 awarded to Bridgeport. State Department of Education Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell announced the grants on Jan. 29.