Atlantis Charter School receives $71,000 technology grant from Baker-Polito Administration

Atlantis Charter School, a public charter school, Tuesday announced it received a technology grant totaling $71,401 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The grant funds will be used to reimburse money spent from the recent purchase of 1,400 new Chromebook laptops and tablets that were distributed to every student at the beginning of the current school year.

“We thank Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito for this grant, which allowed us to reallocate available funds to other areas to prepare for a return to teaching and learning this fall,” said Robert Beatty, executive director of Atlantis Charter School. “Over the summer, we continued to develop a robust remote learning plan that builds significantly from our program last spring and can serve our students under any circumstance.”

Atlantis began the 2020-2021 school year with a 1:1 student-to-technology ratio, according to the school.

“Putting a new laptop or tablet in the hands of every student will allow us to seamlessly transition between remote, hybrid and in-person learning models throughout the school year as the pandemic dictates,” said Michael Lauro, associate executive director of Atlantis Charter School. “Providing one device for every student is critical to a robust remote learning plan.”

Atlantis began the new school year on September 8th in a largely remote capacity with in-person instruction for high-needs students.

“We look forward to bringing all of our students and staff safely back into our classrooms,” Beatty said.

The Baker-Polito Administration awarded $32.9 million in Remote Learning Technology Essentials grants to 253 school districts across the Commonwealth to help ensure students have access to technology to strengthen instruction both in the classroom and at home. The competitive matching grant can be used in conjunction with other funds to improve the use of technology and strengthen teaching and learning by purchasing computers, assistive technologies, and ensure sufficient internet access for students. The grants will also cover reimbursement costs to districts, like Atlantis, that have already spent funds on technology during the school closures that began in March.