May 6, 2005

ESD NEWS BRIEFS

K.R. Smith Elementary receives $35,000 HP Technology for Teaching grant

Grant includes HP wireless equipment, cash, professional development

Evergreen School District’s Katherine R. Smith Elementary School was among only 205 schools nationwide to receive a 2005 HP Technology for Teaching grant.

Children at K.R. Smith Elementary School will benefit from a $35,000 grant that includes HP wireless equipment, cash and professional development for teachers to help improve student achievement.

Designed to transform and improve learning in the classroom through innovative uses of technology, the HP Technology for Teaching grant program gave preference to schools serving low-income students and projects including a math or science component.

K.R. Smith will receive an HP award package valued at more than $35,000, which will include five HP Tablet PCs, five HP multimedia projectors, five HP digital cameras, an HP Officejet All-in-One, a $500 stipend per teacher and a professional development program that includes customized learning opportunities, expert mentoring and participation in an online learning community to support teachers’ use of technology.

K.R. Smith’s third grade students will develop learning centers and create PowerPoint science vocabulary lessons using Web images and subject directories—all designed to increase understanding and comprehension of the California Science Standards.

The abstract contents of the state science standards will come alive in engaging, hands on, participatory ways.

Hewlett-Packard awarded $6.2 million in cash and equipment to teams of five teachers at 174 kindergarten-through-twelfth-grade public schools in the United States and Puerto Rico. The 2005 HP Technology for Teaching grant program also awarded grants totaling $2.3 million to 31 two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States and Puerto Rico.

HP has committed $25 million to the three-year global program, which supports the company’s broader education goal of transforming teaching and learning through the integration of technology. More than 400 schools worldwide have received grants since the program’s inception last year.

“Technology has the power to positively transform the learning process for both educators and students,” said Bess Stephens, vice president of philanthropy and education for HP. “By integrating technology into their teaching, educators can engage students in new and innovative ways to increase achievement and ultimately to prepare them for greater success in the classroom and beyond.”

More information about the 2005 HP Technology for Teaching program and grant recipients is available at www.hp.com/go/hpteach.

Don’t miss JFS golf tournament, dinner auction on May 16

The James Franklin Smith Elementary School PTA is holding its fourth annual Books On Par event on Monday, May 16, at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club.

This is the big JFS community event fundraiser held to raise money for the school library, technological resources and artistic programs for the students. Even if you don’t have children attending JFS, it’s a great opportunity to rub elbows with captains of industry, local business people and our community.

The day begins with an 18-hole round of tournament golf at the Silver Creek Country Club that includes a catered lunch by Megabyte Pizza. The events continue into the evening with a silent auction held during the complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres reception. Bid on gift baskets that include theater tickets, an evening cruise on a private yacht, tickets for sporting events, spa gift certificates, dinner gift certificates and more.

Next is a sit-down dinner in the Silver Creek Country Club’s Yerba Buena Room, followed by a live auction of the magnificent classroom art pieces, framed and ready for your home or office.

You can purchase tickets just for the golf event, just for the dinner/auction or together at a discount. Tickets can be purchased by downloading the registration form from: http://eesd.org/ jfs/pta/bop.

Business leaders, who are interested in sponsoring a golf hole for Books On Par, enjoy a magnificent golf venture at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club. They also receive corporate recognition in a variety of places at the club during the tournament, in the Evergreen Times and at James Franklin Smith Elementary School. Boost your business exposure by sponsoring a hole! To take part, contact Leslie Shannon at leslie_ferguson@ hotmail.com.