| Castle Dale elementary students assemble to watch the award of the grant money. |
The 100 Percent for kids Credit Union Education Foundation awarded $17, 425 to Castle Dale Elementary during a presentation on Oct. 25 at 12:30 p.m. at the school.
Castle Dale Elementary comprised of 160 students, will be able to integrate technology with reading by using the grant to purchase Smartboards, computerized whiteboards connected to the classroom computer and projector. By using the Smartboards, teachers can present easily viewed lessons and print out notes from the whiteboard for all students. The whole class can interact and become involved allowing teachers to continually assess the learning and comprehension of each student and adjust teaching to meet student’s needs.
“The goal of this technology is to help students become accountable, self-reliant learners,” said Carrie Jean Jones, Teacher at Castle Dale Elementary. “With this grant, teachers will be better able to instruct phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and text comprehension order to establish a good literacy foundation.”
Jones says that reading failure has tremendous long-term negative consequences for children because it impacts students’ development of self-confidence and motivation to learn. Jones also feels that the Smartboards will help each student progress as they become fluent and skilled readers.
“The Credit Unions are excited to provide Castle Dale with the opportunity to use new reading techniques in the classroom,” said former Utah Senator Paula Julander, Director of 100 Percent for Kids Credit Union Education Foundation. “Reading comprehension is vital in building a good educational foundation and this technology will be a major contributor to the learning process.”
One hundred percent of donations made to the 100 Percent for Kids Credit Union Education Foundation will reach Utah classrooms; not one cent will be spent on administrative costs.
The Foundation will award $129,627 to Utah schools this quarter. The foundation has awarded more than three million to schools in the past two years.
To make a donation contact: Foundation Coordinator Liz Bourne, 1805 South Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84104, 801-887-2329 or visit www.100percentforkids.com.