My View: Schools benefit from foundation's efforts

Last week's article by Aimee Blanchette, "Getting on board," about interactive whiteboards (Jan. 21 Star Tribune West Extra), illustrates how education foundations can fund pilot programs that enable school districts to justify large investments in curriculum.

According to the Hopkins School District's top technology administrator, Sid Voss, "The Hopkins Education Foundation can fund pilot technology that the district may not be immediately ready for on a broad scale."

In 2007, the Hopkins Education Foundation (HEF) received a grant application from Ben Friesen, one of the talented teachers at Hopkins West Junior High. He described how he could engage 8th graders in learning Earth Science by using groundbreaking technology. Ben's innovative ideas resulted in HEF providing funds for the district's first interactive whiteboard.

The pilot technology proved to be an effective teaching tool and the district followed up by gradually introducing Activboard interactive whiteboards to classrooms. The district wisely chose to establish a cadre of technology experts to make certain that its investment was fully utilized. Rather than opting for a blanket installation, the administration made sure every district educator who received the new technology would want it and know how to use it as a teaching tool.

HEF supports Hopkins schools' technology initiatives and continues to play a key role in creating 21st-century classrooms in the district. Last year, HEF donors contributed $25,000 to install a new interactive whiteboard system in every district school. Over the years, the foundation has provided many technology grants, including mobile laptop carts, GPS units for geography lessons and audio-enhancement systems.

Since HEF was organized in 1995, the Foundation has provided the link between Hopkins Schools and generous donors, including parents, residents, alumni and local businesses, to provide more than $1.5 million in funds for innovation and enrichment for our students' classrooms. In addition to technology, HEF invests in new programs, pilot curricula, classroom experiences and best-practice teaching ideas, thanks to the creativity and passion of our district staff and HEF donors.

HEF also relies on its dedicated volunteers. Many of them are currently busy planning HEF's 10th Annual Gala, which will be at the Marriott-City Center on Saturday, Feb. 21. In addition to enjoying a great dinner and the after-hours casino and piano lounge, guests will get a chance to help HEF reach its goal to provide an additional set of Activotes, integrated personal response systems, to each district school during our special appeal.

I encourage your readers to visit the HEF website to learn more about the foundation. We always encourage more people to volunteer, participate and donate. We hope to welcome many new attendees at this year's gala, which commemorates "A Decade of Making a Difference." It is such a wonderful community event and benefits a great cause.

It's all about the kids, and HEF's history of investing in technology like interactive whiteboards is a great example of how we support Hopkins Schools.