SPRING VALLEY, NY – Senator Reichlin-Melnick recently visited Rockland BOCES to announce that he has secured $75,000 in funding from New York State to fund the installation of the Rockland BOCES Jesse J. Kaplan School Multi-Sensory Environment Playground for students with developmental disabilities. The Senator was joined by school administrators and board members who were eager to share their enthusiasm for the project that is anticipated to be installed later this year.
Senator Reichlin-Melnick said, “I am proud to have secured funding to support this project that will help students make progress in their educational, social-emotional, and therapeutic goals. Achieving educational equity means supporting students with a range of abilities with the tools needed to thrive. I began my career as a teacher, and am passionate about delivering educational equity for all New York students. ”
Rockland BOCES Chief Operating Officer Dr. Amy Albers said, “We are grateful to Senator Reichlin-Melnick for securing funding for this indoor Multi-Sensory Environment Playground. The Senator understands the importance of supporting the educational needs of all students. This playground will help students with Autism, Sensory Integration Disorder, and other challenges build skills for social functioning and independence and improve academic and social outcomes.”
The playground will be accessible to all Jesse J. Kaplan students, as well as summer school for special needs students from schools across the region that do not have summer programs, Camp Venture participants, and other community-based programs.