Districts and schools across the country are making decisions about how to best utilize federal funding. Regardless of the programs, software, and technology professional development and training plays a critical part in acclimating educators and students to what’s “new” for best integration for teaching and learning.

A few headlines from a recent internet search on K-12 relief funding in schools include “What Congressional Covid Funding Means for K-12 Schools,” “States Scramble to Disburse K-12 Relief Funds Ahead of Deadline,” and “States are Waffling Over Billions in K-12 Federal Relief. Schools Are Getting Antsy.” Clearly, educators want clear-cut information on funding including how much, ways to use it, and when to expect it.

Monte Vista Primary School (Cape Town, Johannesburg, ZA) is built on five mission statements that include building a foundation so that learners are able to meet life’s challenges now and in the future, and providing an excellent education wherein all work together to allow progress and adaptation to change. With these two goals in mind, Monte Vista educators sought to implement Clevertouch interactive touchscreen displays over three years. That plan quickly became a one-year capital project after teachers and students experienced the cutting-edge features and user-friendly interface.

Bennington Public Schools (Bennington, NE) is a quickly growing district that has gone from one K-12 school in 2005 to six schools today, including a new elementary school that opened two years ago. Bennington expects to open two more elementary schools, and another middle school and high school within the next 10 years. According to the district website, their mission is “to provide educational opportunities in a safe, caring environment that will prepare all students to meet the challenges of the future.”

The Boxlight team sends out a huge congratulations to Trox and Tierney on coming together to form one powerhouse of a business across the USA and Canada. Trox is our number one partner for Mimio, our K-12 division, and Tierney our number one Clevertouch customer and exclusive partner in the USA. This new super business will bring untold benefits to their customers as well as the Boxlight brands Mimio and Clevertouch.

The British Computer Society (BCS, U.K.) was faced with the immense challenge of relocating 260 staff members with a focus on creating a digital-first environment. Says Hazel Reason, Senior Facilities Manager at BCS, “The transition from office-to-office made me realize we only had a few video screens and some old projectors. One of our key principles for this new project was to make sure we were ‘digital first’ by investing in technology which improves communication and collaboration.”

Since late March 2020, the federal government has approved relief funding to help states address challenges to student learning caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), and the American Rescue Plan will provide approximately $190 billion to the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Education Relief (ESSER) fund. Of course, with the availability of funds come many questions such as - How can these funds be used? When do they need to be used by? Where should we start?

Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children (Greensburg, PA) was looking to update and innovate their learning environments. To meet the needs of their students, who range in age and ability levels – 5-years to 21-years-old, Higher Functioning to Lower Functioning – the school wanted education technology that would engage their students while being easy-to-use. They recognized that to better meet each students’ Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a variety of tools and resources were necessary including innovative technology.

Hannah Olson, Co-Creator of the award-winning MyStemKits STEM Curriculum, recently spoke with Larry Jacobs from American Consortium for Equity in Education (ace-ed.org) on the topic of STEM education and careers, focusing on encouraging young women to explore what STEM has to offer.