Sandy Hook School Receives Donation For SMARTboards

By Laurie Borst

On Tuesday, May 29, Sandy Hook School Principal Donna Pagé received a donation from Peggy and Mark Sippin, of Sippin Energy Products and Real Estate Company, in the amount of $3,000 to be used for the purchase of SMARTboards, the associated equipment, and training in their use. The Sippin’s daughter, Kayla, is in third grade at Sandy Hook School.

The school has already installed several of the interactive boards in classrooms. Last year, four boards were installed using grant money from the Vanguard Awards. Three more were purchased after a fundraiser last fall. Currently, three third grade and three fourth grade classrooms have SMARTboards as well as a computer lab.

SMARTboards incorporate the latest in computer technology. The large white boards connect to a computer and can show anything from a word document to a spreadsheet to a website to a PowerPoint presentation. Students can write on the boards using special pens to fill in information. The boards provide an interactive classroom experience.

“Last year,” Mrs Pagé said, “[fourth grade teacher] Liza Eleoff wrote her master’s thesis on the integration of SMARTboards in the classroom. Teachers as well as students are enthusiastic about using them.”

As the school solicited funds, the efforts were published in the school’s newsletter. The Sippins learned about the needs of the school.

“We donate to a select number of causes,” Mr Sippin explained. “Technology is very important in the educational environment.”

“We hope to have SMARTboards in all third and fourth grade classrooms,” stated Mrs Pagé. “We have a waiting list of teachers who want them.

“I am very excited and thrilled to have your support,” she added to the Sippins.

Fundraising for the boards has become a whole school initiative, with all grades participating. The school is building a fundraiser into its spring picnic. Some classes are putting together baskets for a raffle.

The third grade teachers are offering a Movie Night. On Friday, June 8, the teachers invited all third graders and their siblings for an evening of responsive classroom activities, refreshments, and a movie. Money donated for the “babysitting” will be donated to the SMARTboard fund. Fifty to 60 youngsters are expected for the movie night.