Bank provides iPads to schools foundation
The Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools is pleased to announce that it recently received a generous in-kind contribution of 10 iPads from Bank of the Cascades to increase access to technology in local classrooms.
The gift helped to support the foundation’s Classroom Grants program, which provides financial awards to district educators on an annual basis to foster creative and innovative curricula.
Technology is among the foundation’s top funding priorities as research indicates that students who have consistent exposure to it have a greater breadth of knowledge in core subject areas, learn more efficiently, have higher test scores, and exhibit higher level thinking and problem solving.
Specifically, this donation will expand the Instructional Technology Department’s iPad loaner library. Teachers will be permitted to request the mobile devices so that they may integrate applications into a classroom setting while sharing best practices with fellow peers.
Heather Vihstadt, Executive Director of the Education Foundation shared, “We are deeply grateful to Bank of the Cascades for their ongoing support of our mission.
“Over the past few years, the demand for iPads and other technological devices has increased dramatically. IPads are currently being utilized in the district for a variety purposes including, (but not limited to): center-based learning, to aid English Language Learners, to assist low-income students in need of intensive intervention, and for special needs programs. They can successfully be incorporated into virtually any subject matter and truly engage youth in learning.”
“Putting iPads into the hands of local students is a great investment in education and the future of our communities,” said Julie Miller, Executive Vice President and Oregon Regional Manager for Bank of the Cascades. “As a community bank, we are always looking for ways to share resources with our neighbors. We have a great partnership with Bend-La Pine Schools and this is just one more way for us to be involved.”
About the Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools
The Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools is an independent 501(c)3 charitable organization created to support local public schools. Its purpose is to increase educational and extracurricular opportunities for all district students and to encourage creative and innovative curricula. Since 2003, the Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools has invested approximately $1,000,000 into local public schools through Activity Fee Scholarships, Classroom Grants, and Special Projects. These funds have positively impacted the work of numerous teachers and the lives of thousands of children. For more information, visit www.bendlapineschoolsfoundation.org.
