WETF PRESS RELEASE | For Immediate Release
First Westborough Education Tech Fund Project Exceeds Goals
Westborough, MA – WETF, the Westborough Education Tech Fund (www.westboroughetf.org) exceeded its goals for its first ever fundraising project, providing iPads and apps for the Armstrong school’s second grade class (click here to learn about this project). With a unique application of crowdfunding, WETF raised over $3,000 from local residents and businesses as part of the new non-profit’s efforts to help foster broader use of classroom technology and increased technology education within area schools.
According to John Mendes, Principal at Armstrong Elementary School, “Our students will advance their technology skills and learning through multiple methods, including images, video, speech recordings, drawings, and writing. The iPads will become an essential component across the entire second grade.”
WETF has created a program through which teachers and administrators can define projects for funding. WETF provides the crowdfunding infrastructure and assists with marketing the projects and fundraising.
“We could not be more pleased,” noted Adam Halem, President and co-founder of WETF. “This success proves that we help teachers acquire and use educational technology to achieve specific learning objectives in ways that complement the district’s strategic technology plan.”
All projects are vetted by the Westborough Public Schools technology team and administration to ensure the projects are in-line with the district’s infrastructure, systems, and future plans.
“By working closely with the Superintendent’s office and the Director of Technology, we ensure that our efforts are helping the district and faculty,” stated Dr. Anna Nolin, Vice President of WETF. “We want to avoid creating any support or operational issues as our goal is to augment and enhance the district’s technology efforts.”
In addition to educator-initiated projects, WETF will pursue corporate and foundation grants. The organization’s mission is to support the advancement of education in the Westborough Public Schools through the use, support, integration, and public awareness of educational technology. As such, WETF will help raise funds to support and complement the district’s operational and capital budgets and programs.
“We want to enhance what the district can accomplish,” stated Halem. “School budgets are tight, particularly with respect to technology. In addition to funding specific projects, we can help fund pilot projects, professional development, and other projects that cannot fit within the district’s budget.”
WETF will be launching fundraising efforts for projects at other Westborough Schools and is helping sponsor an educational technology conference to be hosted at the Mill Pond School this coming fall.
About the Westborough Education Tech Fund (www.westboroughetf.org)
The Westborough Education Tech Fund is a volunteer run, non-profit created to support the advancement of education in Westborough schools through the use, support, integration, and public awareness of educational technology. The founders and members look to raise the standards of technology and tech education in the schools and in the lives of students in grades K-12 and to building community support and involvements in technology education efforts within the schools.
The Westborough Education Tech Fund is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and regulation.
Contact
Adam Halem, President, Westborough Education Technology Fund (WETF)
President@westboroughetf.org