Russell PTO Donates $12,000 For More SMART Boards

There's quite a buzz going around , where kids actually want to learn and participate in class. There's no denying it. With the help of the newly purchased SMART boards at the school through a $12,000 donation by Russell's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), kids are actually excited to learn.

Abby Pancoast, a fifth-grader at the school, can attest to the excitement of the interactive whiteboard in her classroom.

"I really think they're amazing," said Pancoast. "I definitely think the kids are excited about them. Everybody loves the SMART boards."

One of Pancoast's favorite features is actually during roll call in the mornings.

"Instead of calling out our names for attendance, my teacher puts our names on balloons on the SMART boards and when she calls our names, we go up to the board and touch the balloon with our name on it and it pops!" said Pancoast excitedly about the interactive instructional tool.

The students at Russell can thank their PTO for their five newly mounted SMART boards, making it a total of 11 SMART boards at the school. The goal: to have each of the 14 classrooms at the school equipped with a SMART board, according to school Principal Dianne Smith.

"It’s great; it’s a very interactive thing," said Smith. "I couldn’t imagine teaching without them. This is just what you have to do today to get the kids involved."

According to Karen Gray, president of the school's PTO, donations were collected through various fundraisers throughout the past year including the first annual carnival involving the four elementary schools in the fall.

"We always have a good amount of parents who are willing to participate–whether it’s something we’re selling or having lots and lots of parents who volunteer like at the carnival," explained Gray about the large sum donated.

Gray witnessed the excitement of the new SMART boards in her own home. "They love it. The children who had the SMART boards mounted in their classrooms came home and were saying how excited they were."