Today the Tools for Schools Team was at Welsh-Roanoke Junior High, delivering a mobile storage cart to Shanna Gillett’s classroom.
Tools for Schools is brought to the children of Acadiana by the Jim Olivier Family of Companies.
Gillett said the school needed a Chrome Book mobile storage and charging cart.
“Our students love technology and are generally more motivated to complete assignments when they have the option to use technology; however, it is expensive to purchase items and keep up with ever-changing advances,” Gillett told us in her request.
“Furthermore, with our state mandating online computer-based testing (CBT), access to the computer lab is limited. For example, in the month of March, only a handful of days are even available to schedule in our computer lab because LEAP 2025 testing takes precedence,” she wrote. “Having a mobile cart would greatly increase access to our small, but hopefully growing, supply of portable Chrome Books. Teachers would not have to wait to schedule a computer lab to complete lessons, nor would they need to enter the principal’s office where our Chrome Books are now stored. They could just check out the mobile cart and bring the learning into the classroom.”
Gillett says her principal knows of the need, because right now the Chrome Books are stored in her office when they’re not in use. If the principal is out or in a meeting, getting the devices can be a hassle, she said. Money is also tight.
“Our parish has necessitated budget cuts over the last two school years. As a consequence, only the very basic of necessities have been purchased. Funding for accessories like a mobile cart are not feasible at this time,” she said.
The students were excited to get the station because they’ll be able to use the Chrome Books more often. The cart locks up, so the devices are safe while they’re charging and not in use. And, the cart has wheels to make it easy to move it around the school.
Gillett said when the call came in she was really excited.
“I was jumping up and down at the gas station,” she said. “I was so excited for my students, that they would be able to have this for their classroom.”
