SMART awards high-tech prizes to 2005 Schools of Distinction
More than US$370,000 in SMART products awarded to America’s 20 leading schools
CALGARY, Alberta --- November 25, 2005 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces its sponsorship of the 2005 Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Program. The program recognizes 20 U.S. schools for their exceptional commitment to achievement and innovation in K–12 education. SMART has awarded more than US$370,000 in SMART products. Each classroom technology package, valued at more than US$18,000, includes a SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard, floor stand, online training sessions for teachers, Bridgit™ conferencing software, SynchronEyes® computer-lab instruction software and a school license for SMART Ideas® concept-mapping software. The awards were recently presented at a gala event in Washington DC.
The Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards program received more than 3,000 applications from schools across the United States. The awards recognize one elementary and secondary school in each of the following ten categories: overall academic achievement, literacy, science, mathematics, teamwork, leadership, collaboration, professional development, technical excellence and technical innovation. To celebrate these schools’ extraordinary commitment to educational excellence and innovation, each school will each receive a US$10,000 cash grant from the Intel® Foundation in addition to a host of prizes that range from curriculum materials and professional development resources to software and hardware, all valued at more than US$5 million. One elementary school and one secondary school were selected as the “Best of the Best,” and each received a cash award of $50,000 from the Intel Foundation.
“SMART congratulates this year’s 20 Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction on their outstanding track records,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s president and co-CEO. “We recognize their excellence in K–12 education, and salute their creative and energetic approaches to delivering a quality education to each and every child in their schools.”
The 2005 Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction
Alabama
- Auburn Early Education Center (Auburn) – Literacy Achievement
Arizona
- Cordova Middle School (Phoenix) – Leadership
Colorado
- Cresthill Middle School (Highlands Ranch) – Professional Development
Florida
- Lee Elementary School of Technology (Tampa) – Technical Excellence
- Lincoln Academy (Lakeland) – Technical Innovation
Georgia
- J.P. McConnell Middle School (Loganville) – Literacy Achievement
- Mabry Middle School (Marietta) – Technical Innovation
Hawaii
- West Hawaii Explorations Academy (Kailua-Kona) – Science Achievement
Kentucky
- Phelps Elementary School (Phelps) – Science Achievement
- St. Raphael the Archangel (Louisville) – Professional Development
Maryland
- Middletown High School (Middletown) – Teamwork
Nevada
- Advanced Technologies Academy (Las Vegas) – Technical Excellence
New Jersey
- Academy of Allied Health & Science (Neptune) – Collaboration
North Carolina
- KIPP Gaston College Prep, Gaston – Academic Achievement
Ohio
- Rocky River High School (Rocky River) – Math Achievement
Oregon
- Fullerton IV Elementary School (Roseburg) – Math Achievement
Tennessee
- Washington Elementary School (Kingsport) – Teamwork
Texas
- El Magnet at Reagan Elementary (Odessa) – Academic Achievement
- Northwest High School (Justin) – Leadership
Washington
- John Stanford International Elementary (Seattle) – Collaboration
About Schools of Distinction awards
The Intel and Scholastic Schools of Distinction recognize K–12 schools in the United States that demonstrate excellence in implementing innovative, replicable programs supporting positive educational outcomes. The awards showcase the effective use of technology, the benefits of strong teamwork and the development of excellent classroom teachers. From 54 finalists in ten categories of achievement, 20 winners are chosen, one each in elementary and secondary for every category. From among those 20, one each from elementary and secondary is selected as "Best of the Best." These winners are recognized for having a comprehensive program addressing technology, strong involvement of parents and the community, ongoing professional development, great teamwork, and for consistently achieving high academic standards.
About SMART Board interactive whiteboards
The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is a large, touch-sensitive display. Connected to a computer and projector, the interactive whiteboard is like a giant computer screen that students and teachers simply touch to operate. Using their finger or a pen as a mouse, teachers and students can access and control any computer application, file or multimedia platform, including the Internet, CD-ROMs and DVDs. They can also write over applications in digital ink, then save their work for future study and review. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard engages students with diverse learning styles by providing both immediate access to a wide range of digital materials and a common focus for the entire class – not something easily achieved with other classroom technology products. It is the number one choice among primary and secondary school educators in more than 75 countries worldwide because it captures the imagination of students of all backgrounds and abilities in order to help them learn together, understand better and achieve more. For more information about SMART Board interactive whiteboards and other SMART products for the classroom, visit www.smarttech.com/products.
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For more information, contact
Public Relations
SMART Technologies Inc.
1207 – 11 Avenue SW, Suite 300
Calgary, AB T3C 0M5
CANADA
Phone: +1.403.802.2595
Fax +1.403.228.2500
pr@smarttech.com
www.smarttech.com
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