Learning at home using technology has been a challenge for schools and families as everyone adapts to operating in a new learning arrangement during the pandemic.
At East Side Elementary School, the situation has become much more manageable thanks to a $32,500 donation to the school from the Church of the Good Shepherd to purchase Chromebooks. The school was able to buy an additional 147 Chromebooks to move closer to its goal of providing a device to every child.
When the parishioners of Good Shepherd began its partnership with East Side four years ago in conjunction with the Chattanooga 2.0 initiative, no one at the church knew what their role might be in helping to educate children in the community.
The church worked with East Side before the pandemic to provide food for children and families who were food insecure. As the partnership grew, the church participated in other projects to benefit the school and the community.
The arrival of COVID-19 and the introduction of remote learning created a need for computers at East Side.
East Side’s principal, Greg Wilkey, reached out to Good Shepherd to see if the church could help obtain 100 Chromebook electronic learning devices for the school’s first grade students.
“After the parish was made aware of this goal, the fundraising response was immediate because of our love for this community,” says Bena Devaney of Good Shepherd. “When the coronavirus forced our in-person worship services to cancel, our theme became ‘Love your neighbor,’ and East Side’s situation gave us an opportunity to put our words into action.”
“The incredible gift will have a powerful impact on teaching and learning here at East Side,” Wilkey says.
Chromebooks help children in the HCS at Home program and students learning at home during a hybrid schedule. Students will also utilized the computers if the school closes due to a COVID-19 case on the campus.
Source: Hamilton County Schools