Archive for: October, 2010

Parents as Reading Partners: James H. Donovan

Oct 24 2010 Published by under General, Senator James H Donovan

We all know the importance of learning to read. Reading can broaden children’s horizons and enhance their imaginations, but it also has a huge role in the rest of their lives. Every activity, education and career path or job requires good reading skills. By making reading an enjoyable activity in children’s lives, we can instill these skills in children at a young age, and encourage them to continue reading and expanding their vocabularies as they grow older.

Senator James H. Donovan recognized this, and started a program called PARP- Parents as Reading Partners as a means to achieve this goal. He believed that if parents spent at least 15 minutes each day to read with their child, the child would both enjoy reading and acquire the skills necessary to succeed academically.  The child need not read alone- the reading should alternate between the child and the parent, so that the child does not get discouraged if he or she is having difficulty reading. This method does not only help instill reading skills, it also increases parent involvement in the child’s life and may encourage the child to express his or her opinions about the book, school and more. This program has been adopted by a great number of schools and parents on their own, and is helping children everywhere.

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James H. Donovan Science & Technology Building

Oct 14 2010 Published by under Senate Work, Senator James H Donovan

The SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome (SUNYIT) recently announced plans for its ceremonial groundbreaking, to be held on Thursday, October 14, 2 p.m.  Founded in 1966, this university offers various programs technology and professional studies.  Senator James H Donovan worked hard implementing technology into education for students during his lifetime. This will mark the beginning of an academic and industry complex on the campus. “The project will have two distinct components, the Center for Advanced Technology (CAT) and the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (“Quad-C”), which will be co-located on a site near Kunsela Hall and the Cayan Library. The CAT, a t-shaped, three-story structure, will be more than 60,000 square feet; the Quad-C is still under design and its size will grow to meet the demand of its industry tenants. The first Quad-C tenant was announced August 19; infrastructure, a technology company headquartered in Clifton Park, plans to occupy temporary space on campus until the complex is completed in 2012-2013.”

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Donovan Middle School Named for Beloved Senator

Oct 04 2010 Published by under Senator James H Donovan

Donovan Middle School

Donovan Middle School

In Utica, New York there is a living memorial to the memory of Senator James H. Donovan, and that is the James H. Donovan Middle School. Honoring the memory of Senator Donovan, a tireless advocate of education for the children and citizens of New York, the school has taken on the Senator’s name with pride and commitment.

The school was built in 1992 just two years after the passing of Mr. Donovan, at the age of 67. It was constructed in the southwestern section of Utica, New York and was built with the comfort and needs of its precious students in mind. With large classrooms and six up-to-date science laboratories, a room for group learning, an entire wing dedicated to music and a state-of-the-art auditorium, nothing is missing from the educational offerings of the facility. Each classroom is equipped with its own internet access, connecting every student and teacher directly to the incredible information constantly available at the mere push of a button.

James H. Donovan would be proud and honored to have his name attached to such a school.

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