FCCDC grant makes Chromebook purchase possible at RES

Photo by Tyler Hargett
Kesslie Cameron and J.T. Hill work on a Chromebook in their classroom.

By Tyler Hargett for the FCT

tyler.hargett@fct.wpengine.com

Russellville Elementary School’s fifth grade students will soon be receiving some exciting new learning tools through a grant from the Franklin County Community Development Commission. With the approval of the $1,200 grant request from teacher Melissa Greenhill, the school will be able to purchase six new Chromebooks for her fifth graders to use in further classroom development.

The Chromebooks will give the students access to different services, such as Google Mail and Classroom and MobyMax, to complete both individual and group assignments in reading, writing and social studies, Greenhill said. Her reading classes will also be using these programs, she added, to write, edit and publish a school newspaper.

“Based on research, students learn better when they are engaged and motivated in meaningful and relevant learning,” said Greenhill. “As more and more jobs require technology, it is important that our students understand how to use technology in a variety of ways.”

Every class at Russellville Elementary already has ten Chromebooks, including Greenhill’s. However, seeing the need for more technology to meet the English Language Arts standards, Greenhill decided to apply for the grant in November. According to her, the students are excited that more will be arriving soon.

“I would like to thank the FCCDC for their support of our local schools,” said Greenhill. “With help from grants like this, teachers can better prepare students for the real world involvement.”