Turner Public Schools Receives Technology

A representative from Triangle Communications visited Turner Public Schools (TPS) on Tuesday, September 6, to award the school with a Technology Grant. At approximately 10:30 a.m., Maia LaSalle, the Marketing and Public Relations Manager for Triangle Communications, presented Turner School Superintendent, Tony Warren with a check for $1,497. While she was in the building, LaSalle also talked with eighth graders enrolled in journalism.

TPS was one of five schools recently selected for an award through the Triangle Communications' Technology Program. This program offers monetary support to schools and youth groups in the Triangle service areas. According to LaSalle, these funds can be used to purchase technology equipment, supplies, services, and training or to improve efficiencies achieved by enhancing or upgrading current technology.

At Turner, Warren reported that the grant will allow the school to purchase two laminators, multiple laminating pouches, and 25 wireless computer mice. This added technology will benefit all 53 of the students enrolled in K-12 at TPS.

Warren expects the laminator to assist educators in creating reusable and reliable resources to support student achievement. With a laminator, teachers can build sets of materials for the cost of paper. These materials-whether created for bulletin boards or for some other learning purpose-can be saved and reused in subsequent years.

The wireless mouse technology will allow students greater flexibility in using their lap tops for performing classwork. With no cables to tangle, students can work with fewer constraints and annoyances.

After her check presentation, LaSalle dropped by the journalism classroom to give eighth graders the opportunity to practice their interview skills. Avery Fox, a reporter for the TPS newspaper, The North Wind, took the lead in interviewing LaSalle. The group asked questions that ranged from how many schools applied for grants to how the grants are awarded.

Students reported that having a live interview experience demonstrated the process in a helpful manner. They will take what they learned and apply it to the writing of future news stories.

LaSalle explained, "We receive hundreds of applications from schools in our service area, which extends from the Canadian border to Wyoming. These are reviewed by our Board of Directors and then awarded based on their project description and other application factors."

She also told the group: "The skills you learn in writing will serve you well in almost every aspect of life."