The Walnut Creek Education Foundation Receives $200,000 Grant for Technology at Las Lomas High School

(Walnut Creek, Calif., November 30, 2011) - - The Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12 (WCEF K-12) is the recipient of a $200,000 one-time grant from a Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund for the purchase of technology at Las Lomas High School. WCEF President, Mary Vanderpan, is honored that WCEF was chosen to be the steward of these funds and commented, “This opportunity makes it possible for WCEF to enhance the technology resources available to our LLHS students far beyond what we are able to do with our continuing fundraising efforts.”

Members of the Las Lomas High School Technology Group and the WCEF Board researched potential uses for the grant. The group developed a plan and a budget, recently approved by the WCEF Board of Directors. The budget allocates funds across several areas: 1) purchase of equipment for students; 2) purchase of equipment for teachers; 3) department grants for purchase of subject specific technology; 4) staff development; and 5) release time for Las Lomas teachers who will serve as “tech innovators.” Tech innovators will research technology and applications for their subject, develop and model lessons, and support their peers in the integration of technology.

Principal Matt Campbell feels the tech innovators are a key component to integrating technology into the classrooms. “Technology is only worthwhile if teachers are comfortable integrating it into their daily practice. The tech innovators creatively and systematically not only integrate technology into their instructional strategies, but serve as mentors to their colleagues so they can do the same.”

Funds from this grant, in combination with Measure E funds, have been used to purchase 120 iPads that are circulated through departments for two-week rotations. Teachers use the iPads for a variety of purposes, including student-created individual and group projects that are projected and shared with their classes, classroom blogs, surveys, and internet research. As additional iPads are purchased, they will be available in the Las Lomas library for individual student use.

One anticipated outcome of the grant is increased student engagement. Continuing evidence shows that schools with technology-rich learning environments produce students who not only perform well on standardized tests but also are highly engaged and enthusiastic about their learning. Students in technology-rich learning environments learn how to be self-starters and how to present what they learn in a variety of novel and creative ways (Department of Education, ACOT). Leadership and AP History teacher, Sarah Wondolowski, has seen this first-hand. She recently commented, “When technology is in the hands of the students, it causes immediate engagement in the classroom. A student with a pencil might stare at the paper, but a student with an iPad will interact.”

Superintendent John Nickerson shares the staff’s enthusiasm about the grant, noting “The technology grant and the potential it presents has energized the Las Lomas staff. Their engagement in professional development related to technology integration and their efforts to identify the best use of the grant funds to support student learning is exciting. I have no doubt the grant will impact the students of Las Lomas in profound ways.”

The Walnut Creek Education Foundation and Las Lomas High School are extremely grateful to the Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund for this grant. Look for further information about the implementation of technology at Las Lomas in future articles in The Page and Enews.

About the Walnut Creek Education Foundation

The Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12 (WCEF K-12) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3), non-profit tax I.D. # 94-2915151 organization founded in 2005 to maintain academic programs that have been eliminated due to the State’s education budget shortfall. WCEF receives support through financial and in-kind donations from business and corporate partners, parents, alumni, volunteers, grants and the community-at-large. WCEF is managed by a volunteer executive committee, board of trustees, and a paid executive director, all of whom who share a deep commitment to maintaining excellence in the schools. 

For more information, contact WCEF at (925) 933.WCEF (9233), or www.wcefk12.org. On-line donations can also be securely submitted through the WCEF website or mailed to WCEF, P.O. Box 186, Walnut Creek, CA 94597.