The teaching curriculum that her staff follows — developed by the New England Center for Children and approved by the Boston public school system — had changed to an online system which required periodic use of computers by faculty and administrators.
Yet the school had no budget for new computer equipment.
Lamacchia and Irvin reached out to Boston real estate firm City Realty Group, which operates a non-profit community service organization named CityKids.
Staffers from the company visited the school last month, and this week the children and teachers from the autism strand at the Adams school gathered in the school’s auditorium to get a first look at 10 new laptop computers presented by Stephen Whalen, managing partner of City Realty.
The donation “will enable all of our teachers to have the technology to use this curriculum to its potential,” Lamacchia said. “Ultimately, this will lead to greater gains for our students.”
Whalen said the donation is one part of his firm’s youth program: intended to provide the children of Boston with unique experiences and educational resources. Over the past year the company has donated 250 Chromebook computers to area schools and youth organizations. The program also sponsors healthy events and outings for teen-agers, playground cleaning and restorations, and a summer jobs program.
"The kids of this city will shape Boston’s future," Whalen said. "As a local business, we feel an obligation to help the schools and equip them with the tools necessary for a successful education."
At the Adams school, which teaches children from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, "our early childhood team not only teaches our students the skills they need in order to learn, but also makes school a fun, inviting, and safe place to learn," Lamacchia said. I am so proud of this program and the team of professionals that we have here at the Adams.”
Source: ANDREW SCHERDING l
(508) 246-6664;
ascherding@qmarketinginc.com
