Welland News
Posted by Donald Thorpe
PUTTING GRANT MONEY TO USE IN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
The Rotary Club of Welland is assisting elementary schools in disadvantaged areas of the City, has worked with elementary schools in both the Public and Catholic School Boards to determine their individual needs which were not being satisfied through regular school funding. For the past 7 years, the Rotary club, in collaboration with 2 schools each year, has embarked on an educational technology upgrade program. The approach is to provide each classroom with its own smart board projector and/or an interactive smart board which is the latest technological advancement in the educational field.
Since its inception, 4 schools, each on a three-year program, have been provided with interactive computer/smart boards for use in the schools. Over $49,000 in grants has been provided since the program’s inception, using $6,000 in District Grants over the past 3 years. Each year, two schools are provided with approximately $3,500 in technical equipment which is usually enough to equip one classroom. The equipment is mobile so that it can be used throughout the school.
Most recently, the St. Andrew School finished its first year of the 3-year program and Princess Elizabeth School is into its second year. Principals and teachers all confirm that this great teaching tool has transformed the learning experience of the children using it. This is just one of the ways in which Welland Rotary, in cooperation with District 7090, reaches out to the local community.