Framingham Public Schools Receives Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation Grant

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Framingham Public Schools announced Friday that the district received a $3,592 grant from The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism.

These funds will be used to purchase new technology for students in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Program at King and Dunning Elementary Schools.

At King Elementary School, funds will be used to purchase two Lego SPIKE Essentials Kits and two new iPads to enable the students to build and program Lego robotics; at Dunning Elementary Schoo, the money will be used to purchase two new iPads. The Lego SPIKE kits are used to introduce science, math and engineering concepts to elementary school children.

The technology augments the program, which consists of approximately 60 students, particularly by increasing student engagement. Newer equipment will allow students to download applications for educational purposes.

In addition, the Lego SPIKE Essential Kits will help develop fine motor and visual motor skills and foster social communication skills for students in the program. This will promote the students’ development of project collaboration, turn-taking, and other communicative interactions.

"I have experience utilizing iPads and a similar Lego product when I was teaching students in my sub-separate classroom as a special educator in New York City," said Dan Tratt, the team evaluation coordinator at Dunning and King Elementary Schools. "Besides addressing STEAM educational activities, these products really help student engagement and teamwork. I loved using them."

The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, based in Framingham, awards grants annually through a competitive application and review process. The Allison Keller Technology Education Grants that the Flutie Foundation distributed this year fill the financial gap in meeting technology needs of schools and organizations.

"The Flutie Foundation Allison Keller Education Technology Grants help our partner agencies address a variety of significant needs in the autism community," said Nick Savarese, executive director of The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. "Programs like these are helping people on the autism spectrum live life to the fullest and we are proud to support their efforts."