Online learning is now more of a possibility for students, teachers and staff in the Watervliet City School District, thanks to a generous donation of 300 used laptop computers by GlobalFoundries semiconductor manufacturer. Capital Region BOCES received the donation on behalf of the district and has coordinated the tech support and distribution of these devices.
“This has truly been a team effort,” said Joseph P. Dragone, Ph.D., Senior Executive Officer, Capital Region BOCES. “From the generous donation of resources by GlobalFoundries to our team’s ability to configure and deploy the laptops to Watervliet, we’re thrilled to have found a home for these devices. It’s this kind of teamwork that makes such a huge difference in the lives of students.”
The donated laptops provide critical tools to meet the great demand caused by the pandemic and will be used for online learning. The donation will help alleviate the cost of purchasing such materials for local students and teachers, thus reducing the barriers to learning during these unique and challenging times.
“Through our existing community and educational relationship with Capital Region BOCES, we are privileged to be able to make this donation possible. By increasing access to critical technology needed for virtual learning, students in our region can continue to thrive in their studies during these difficult times,” said Ron Sampson, SVP Manufacturing Operations, GlobalFoundries. “We know that the academic and personal journeys of area students and families are ever-changing right now, and we want to do what we can to provide the necessary tools for success.”
In discussing the benefit of this donation, Watervliet Elementary School Principal Kelly Webster notes that the district learned through a recent survey of families that nearly two out of three kindergarten students did not have access to technology at home.
“[The] devices will be going to support all students who need technology support at home,” said Webster. “This donation is a tremendous help and has helped put us on a path to having 1:1 technology for every student in our school!”