PBL ADVANTAGE CAMPAIGN

Students in Dawn Houser's English 400 class use the mobile computer lab purchased in 2008 with funds collected in the Advantage . . . PBL campaign.  The mobile lab consists of  a  cabinet on rollers that stores 28 laptop computers.  Each computer, costing approximately $600, is equipped with a DVD writer, three or four USB ports, a projection outlet, and wireless internet access.  Also part of the mobile lab is a high-speed laser printer.   Mrs. Houser explained, "The traveling lab has been a great asset to the high school.  The students are able to stay in their regular classrooms and use the laptops to do research, newsletters, etc.  In addition, with the growing use of technology, it is hard to schedule time in the computer labs.  This gives teachers another option."   A second portable lab has been purchased with Advantage . . . PBL funds and will used by PBL Junior High School students beginning in the 2009-10 school year.

The Paxton-Buckley-Loda Education Association launched a technology fund-raising initiative called Advantage . . . PBL in May, 2007.  The Foundation's goal was to raise $120,000 to provide technological components to all levels of PBL's schools.

Cliff McClure, PBL Superintendent of Schools, stated, “This is awesome--the Education Foundation perceives a need for equipment such as smart boards, projectors, mobile computer labs, and software that will give our students at Clara Peterson Elementary, Eastlawn Upper Elementary, PBL Junior High, and PBL High School a competitive edge.”

Advantage . . . PBL committee members are Todd Coady, Dave Dowling, Carl Hudson, Jr., Cliff McClure, and Theresa Rueck. To date, approximately $90,000 has been collected.  Ten Promethean smartboards, 10 laptops with the requisite software to work with the boards, and 10 projectors have been purchased.  A core of six to eight teachers already has some knowledge of how to use the equipment.  They will receive additional training from the Promethean company.  That core group will in turn provide training for all teachers in the district.  Ag teacher Mike White says, “We see the smartboard creating a more interactive classroom environment.  While it will not take the place of hands-on learning, students will be able to engage in the lessons to a level that before was not possible.  We expect to see student participation and interest improve.”

Two mobile computer labs have been purchased--one for the high school and another for PBL Junior High.  Each lab consists of  a  cabinet on rollers that stores 28 laptop computers and a high-speed laser printer. Each computer costs approximately $600 and comes equipped with a DVD writer, three or four USB ports, a projection outlet, and wireless Internet access. Funds have also been used to update the permanent computer lab at Clara Peterson Elementary School.

Donors are still needed to reach the Foundation’s goal of $120,000.  Any size donation will be helpful, but contributors who donate either $3,000 as a lump sum or $1,000 each year over a three-year period will be considered charter members of the campaign.  The $3,000 figure is roughly the cost of one setup—a smartboard, laptop, and projector.  Special recognition will be given to charter members.  Each piece of equipment in the setup they financed will bear their name.
 

The Education Foundation is a charitable organization, so all contributions are tax-deductible.  If you have any questions about the fund-raising initiative, call one of the Advantage . . . PBL project committee members:
 

Todd Coady at 217-386-2512
 Carl Hudson at 217-379-4236
 Theresa Rueck at 217-395-2425
Alan Hopkins at 217-395-2485

To see a list of Advantage . . . PBL donors, visit Advantage . . . PBL Donor Page

Click here for a Contribution Form to send along with your donation.