Letter: Coolidge Middle School Receives Reading Education Foundation Grant

The following was submitted by Coolidge Middle School Art Teacher Sarah Doane:

As a recent recipient of a Reading Education Foundation grant, I wanted to thank both the organization and the community members that have generously donated to it for their support. With the grant that I received, Coolidge Middle School will be able to purchase ten iPod touch devices to begin the initial phase in creating an Art Lab. We hope that the finished lab will consist of a combination of both mobile technology and computers.

With this technology, students will be able to use cameras on the iPods to work on digital photography projects as well as use various apps to create digital artwork. We also plan on using the devices to access the internet in order to “visit” art museums, use QR codes to assist in researching various artists and even connect with other schools around the world through Skype and Facetime.

To say that my students are excited is an understatement. While we will still work with many traditional art materials, we are beyond thrilled to apply our creativity with these new technology devices in the art room! The Reading Public Schools are lucky to have an organization that helps assist our district in keeping our classrooms innovative. Thank you again REF!