Shenandoah County Public Schools in Woodstock, Virginia, recently announced it has received 18 grants for a total of $110,054 to fund innovative school projects and invest in new equipment.
The grants, which were awarded through the Helen J. Moore Educational Trust, will pay for various projects not covered by the school district's budget, including a music program, outdoor classrooms and new technology.
The largest grant went to North Folk Middle School to purchase 25 Dell Latitude laptops for Alexandra Johnston's seventh grade math class. According to a statement from the district, students will use the laptops to "explore real world math applications."
Educators have found the presence of technology in the classroom can greatly enhance the learning experience for students. For example, a teach can use a laptop in conjunction with an HD-TV, an LED monitor or HDMI projector to create an educational environment that reaches more students simultaneously and provide them with access to tools they will use in the future.
The Helen J. Moore Educational Trust was established after the death of Strasburg, Virginia, resident Helen Moore, who left her estate to benefit the Shenandoah County Public Schools. According to the statement, Moore's estate was valued at more than $3 million.
