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The Somerset Elementary School Foundation began the 2012-13 school year with a grant to fund the purchase of three mobile laptop carts, each with ten laptops, to foster digital learning by Somerset students. The grant, for $34, 375.89, follows a similar grant last year which enabled the initial purchase of mobile laptop carts for Somerset. These carts have been a huge success in the school, allowing for students to conduct research, draft stories and papers, and engage in a range of emerging digital learning activities from their desks. Indeed, the mobile laptops are so popular that they are in use all day, every day. Even with the first set of thirty laptops and the media center, there is still significant unmet demand for computer technology to enhance student instruction. In keeping with its mission to promote academic excellence and provide a state-of-the-art environment, the Foundation anticipates this grant will further enable twenty-first century learning and continue Somerset’s tradition of excellence.
Principal Morris requested a set of K-5 Okapi Non-Fiction books, to be shared by all grade levels. The books would be available in the book room for teachers to borrow for small groups. This set, in particular, includes books with complexity and topics appropriate for the upper grades. The ability of all students to understand complex “expository text” is a requirement of the newly adopted Common Core State Standards for Reading. The Foundation agreed to pay for this set of books, the latest request to support literacy, in May 2012.
Principal Morris requested a grant to purchase Words Their Way spelling curriculum, a literacy curriculum referenced and recommended by Curriculum 2.0. While MCPS promotes this method of teaching spelling, it cannot afford to provide the necessary materials to schools. In May 2012 the Foundation agreed to provide funds so the school can purchase this program, in time for it to be implemented for school year 2012-13.
