Students in the “Leader in Me” program are excited to use Chromebooks in their leadership studies.
In partnership with Hamilton County Department of Education, PEF announced two grants totaling $100,000 from the Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children to Bess T. Shepherd Elementary and East Lake Elementary on Friday at celebrations in each school.
Bess T. Shepherd will use grant funds to extend a skill-building leadership program to all students during the 2014-15 school year. Principal Valerie Brown said, “We began our ‘Leader in Me’ program last year and could only offer the program to 44 students, even though over 200 wanted to participate. With this generous grant, we will be able to develop 21st century technology, problem-solving, and analytical skills in all of our students.”
East Lake Elementary has purchased Chromebooks with their Annenberg grant for third, fourth, and fifth grade students to expand the availability of devices as part of Hamilton County’s 1:1 technology initiative in the East Lake feeder pattern. “Our teachers are excited to integrate technology at the elementary level and our students will be more prepared for middle school and engaged in their work,” said Principal Joyce Lancaster.
This is the fifth consecutive year the Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children has invested in Hamilton County elementary schools. “Leonore Annenberg was committed to improving the lives of children, particularly those who, with support, will become leaders of the next generation,” says PEF President Dan Challener. “These grants certainly underscore the heart of her mission to provide students resources to help them shine brightly. We are honored to work with Bess T. Shepherd and East Lake to make their visions for students a reality and are incredibly thankful for the generosity of The Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children.”
In total, the Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children has given over $750,000 to support elementary schools in Chattanooga, including book nooks in every classroom at Hillcrest, a visual and multimedia art studio at Hardy, a new science lab and playground at Calvin Donaldson, and a multimedia library at Rivermont.
The Leonore Annenberg School Fund for Children, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, provides educational resources of immediate and direct value to schools serving children with great need. Visit
www.leonoreannenbergscholarships.org for more information.
From left, Assistant Principal Nikki Bailey, District 7 Councilman Chris Anderson, HCDE Elementary Operations Director Karen Hollis, Principal Joyce Lancaster, PEF Board Chair Jim Hill, PEF President Dan Challener, and HCDE Superintendent Rick Smith with East Lake students and their new Chromebooks.