SMARTboards
Applicants: JBHS, HKMS, and SSES
Target Population: All Easton and ER9 Students
Content Area of Project: All Subjects
Amount of Grant:
| 2008 | $91,352 |
| 2007 | $33,846 |
| 2006 | $14,382 |
With the tremendous financial support of Easton residents and their employers, businesses, friends and families, ELF has funded the installation of SMARTboards in every classroom at SSES and HKMS. ELF has purchased 41 SMARTboards for SSES and 21 SMARTboards for HKMS. ELF also co-funded 29 SMARTboards with Redding Education Foundation for JBHS.
“I am one among many educators who judge SMARTboards to be transforming technology because of the profound, positive changes they are facilitating in teaching and learning throughout the United States. They are ideal for displaying internet-based research, reviewing classroom work, and transforming mathematical equations into graph form. Students may also use them for presenting and editing information. As important, SMARTboards are very easy to operate. … 
I believe without reservation that the purchase of SMARTboards will be a significant contribution to the education of our students.”
—Dr. Allen Fossbender, Superintendent of Schools (ER9)
(excerpt from letter to parents dated October 17, 2007)
Our school administrators expressed the need for these boards to ELF. ELF initiated a “SMARTboard Campaign” to raise awareness of this need for technology. With the support of our very generous donors, ELF was able to supply Easton schools with this state-of-the-art technology and training.
“In addition to the obvious educational benefits of SMARTboards, I endorse Easton Learning Foundation’s fundraising because I trust explicitly ELF’s goodwill and competence. The members of the foundation will maximize your contributions, making certain that they enhance, directly, teaching and learning in both schools. They are wonderful benefactors who care deeply about the education of our children. I encourage you to support their efforts.”
—Dr. Allen Fossbender, Superintendent of Schools (ER9)
(excerpt from letter to parents dated October 17, 2007)
What is a "Smart Classroom"?
A "Smart Classroom" is a place where teachers and students are empowered to do their best.
What makes a "Smart Classroom" smart?
Great kids and great teachers supported by the right tools.
With so many options, what are the right tools?
SMARTboards
What is a SMARTboard?
A SMARTboard is an interactive white board that acts as a portal delivering the educational power of the Internet to the classroom.
Why SMARTboards?
Because they increase learning by bringing education to life. For example, in a SMARTboard-powered Smart Classroom, in response to students’ questions and comments, a lesson on the 60s can leave the textbook and spontaneously include video of Martin Luther King “I have a dream” speech, footage or war protests, or the Beatles’ debut on the Ed Sullivan show.
With SMARTboards, our teachers can more effectively engage students who have vastly different learning styles and abilities - no small task during a time of tougher academic standards and higher expectations.
Where do we stand now?
With overwhelming support of our donors, ELF was able to place SMARTboards in every classroom in Easton for grades K–8. Our children deserve nothing less and our donors took action. Goal accomplished!
SMARTboard Grants
On October 2, 2008, ELF presented Tom McMorran, Head of School at JBHS, with a check for $9,075. The funds were used to purchase SMARTboards, to provide for two JBHS faculty members to attend the Institute on Redesigning American High Schools for Improved Instruction offered by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and to provide silver materials and a drill for the Art department. Congratulations!
In August 2008, ELF presented Kim Fox, Principal at SSES, a check for $13,764 for five SMARTboards and six scanners. Now SSES has a SMARTboard in all the art and music classrooms and an additional SMARTboard for the Special Education department. Thank you to all our donors for making this possible!
In July 2008, ELF presented Joan Parker, Principal at HKMS, a check for $2,500 for a SMARTboard for a newly hired sixth grade teacher. What a great “Welcome to HKMS” gift from ELF! Thank you, donors, for your generosity.
Read More About It
2008
Smart success (Redding Education Foundation)
2007
Easton earthquake project takes trophy (SMART Technologies, originally in Connecticut Post)
