Recently the Lions generously donated a large enough sum of money to cover the purchase of 10 IPads for the Copperopolis Elementary 1st grade classrooms.
Fund raising for the IPads began in earnest at the beginning of the school year. Multiple fund raisers were held to raise funds, yet the goal had not been reached. When the Lions heard of this they approached the school and offered their help. Much to the schools surprise and delight the Lions were able to donate enough funds to see the pilot IPad program become a reality.
"The parents and teachers of the current first grade class have been doing fundraising all year to try and make this a possibility and they made it about half way there. With the support of Lions Club they are now on order! AMAZING!!!" Said Copper Elementary Principal Karen Vail.
1st grade teacher Trisha Crawford and Principal Karen Vail
There are currently two 1st grade classrooms with 22 students each. The teachers Trisha Crawford and Jessica Hadgis have been to multiple workshops and technology trainings to work with the students on the teachers own personal IPads with the schools donated Apple tv's. Once fund raising began for classroom IPads the teachers felt the children should learn how to properly use the IPads - preparing them for the evntuality that they will be pruchased.
With this thought in mind a field trip to the Modesto Apple store was made this Spring. Each child learned how to make Imovies and more. They were given usb bracelets to download the movies they had made and were able to play them for their classmates when they returned to campus.
"Previously technology has been focused on the older kids" said Vail, but after attending conferences there was a realization that it is never too early to start learning technology.
"Wait, it gets better!" Said Vail, and she explained that once the PTC heard what the Lions had done they pitched in and helped purchase some IPads for the 2nd grade classrooms. So all the efforts of the parents of 1st graders to raise funds will not go without reward, as their children entering the 2nd grade will have the use of IPads also.
Ken Gutman, President Lake Tulloch Lions, was excited when he heard that news, "Pay it forward" he said, saying that he liked to know that other groups were more than willing to step forward after they had seen what can be done.
The Lions have also funded a contingency fund at Copperopolis Elementary so that when funds fall short for smaller items teachers will not have to dip into their own paychecks for supplies, field trips, etc.
In the past the Lions have helped support the Science Camp and Read Naturally.
For more information on how you can become involved in the Lions visit http://www.laketullochlions.org/
