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Sacred Hearts School receives grants to invest in classroom computer technology

By Staff | Sep 12, 2013

LAHAINA – Sacred Hearts School is focused on improving student performance in math and science through the use of personal computer technology in the classroom.

Studies have shown that technology, which many students now routinely use for social networking, gaming, etc., can engage student interest and attention in math and science and speed learning, compared with paper-based techniques.

To achieve this, the school’s aim is to get an iPad or laptop into the hands of every grade 3-8 student. This is a large financial investment for a small school, and so to finance this, SHS raised funds from individual donors and sought grants from external organizations.

Since 2012, Sacred Hearts has been pursuing a three-phase strategy. In 2012, the school completed Phase 1, equipping grades three and four with iPads, with donations from parents, parishioners, friends of the school, a grant from Hawaiian Telcom and help from Rep. Angus McKelvey.

Phase 2, iPads for grade five, was completed in April 2013 with donations and a grant from the Fred Baldwin Foundation.

And now Phase 3, iPads for Middle School grades 6-8, has started with a recent grant from the Atherton Foundation.

The effectiveness of this investment will be closely monitored through a series of benchmarks that measure student performance scores on standardized tests coupled with the teachers’ assessment of student engagement and participation in class work.

Our thanks are extended to the Baldwin and Atherton Foundations for their recent grants, and to all our individual parent and community donors for their commitment to helping our keiki toward a 21st century education.

We particularly thank Katherine Smith, a Maria Lanakila Church parishioner, and Victoria Caputo, a Sacred Hearts School parent, with help from Susan Hendricks, the school principal, for their work in writing these successful grant applications.