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Students graduate from ELOC Technology and the Environment Computer Program

Environmental Leaders of Color graduates
Students graduate from ELOC Technology and the Environment Computer Program

Several Mount Vernon City School District students graduated from the Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) Technology and the Environment Advanced Computer Program at SUNY Mount Vernon Extension Center on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Students learned Python coding and created online games from scratch using the skills for their final projects. These games included original titles such as Hair Boutique and Fisherman's Game and adaptations of popular games like Blackjack, Sudoku and Ant Farm.

The event’s keynote speaker was Mount Vernon’s Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, who encouraged the students to continue their education in technology and environmental studies, emphasizing that these fields offer promising career paths for the future. She stressed the importance of ongoing learning, no matter where life may lead them. 

As their families looked on with pride, each student showcased their talents and received prizes and certificates of completion from ELOC and the Mount Vernon City School District. The mayor also promised to provide certificates of completion from the city and to match the cash prizes the students earned.

ELOC's Technology and the Environment Advanced Computer Program was conceived by its founders, Dr. Diana Williams and Marvin Church. They believe that creating solutions to the climate crisis will require technology, which will increasingly influence all areas of these students' lives, both now and in the future. ELOC developed this program to give students from under-resourced communities access to advanced computer classes, helping them become competitive in college and the workforce.

During the fall and spring semesters, students meet on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, receiving instruction from computer professionals and college students majoring in computer science. They benefit from ample one-on-one instruction and material review with their instructors. Although there are no grades, students must complete a final project at the end of the semester.

ELOC has announced their new Cybersecurity and Blockchain class starting in January 2025. Interested students should register by January 9, 2025, on ELOC's website, www.eloc.earth. Space is limited, and only 40 high school students will be accepted. 

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We write to share guidance regarding (1) food sold in schools, and (2) foods made available during the school day for classroom celebrations and recognition activities.

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