2003 – 2004 WEF Donations 

Ø      LCD Projector & Multi-Media Carts:  These portable carts greatly expand the technological capabilities of staff and student presentations.   Students no longer need to gather around a small computer terminal to view a lesson in class.  This technology conveniently displays information from a variety of media sources in a dynamic and effective manner. Each cart is comprised of a portable laptop, an LCD projector, VCR & DVD player, a state of the art sound system and a mobile cart, which houses the entire unit.  Combined with existing wireless technology, the portable Multi-Media Carts display “real-time” information using in-district and Web-based resources.  WEF purchased two Multi-Media Cart set-ups for each of the four elementary schools, as well as Eisenhower Middle School.

Ø      LCD Projector / Smart Board Displays:  Smart Boards are considered by many educators to be the “Blackboards of the Future”.  This state –of- the -art technology allows teachers to project a lesson onto an interactive screen, in a manner similar to that of the Multi-Media Carts.  But the Smart Board is much more than just a projector.  What sets the Smart Board apart is that the Smart Board is an extension of the computer itself.  For example, teachers and students can enter and save data simply by writing notes onto the display board.  Instructors can use their fingertips like a mouse and cursor to double click, click and drag, save, erase and perform many other functions right from the screen.  All of this will make group lessons more engaging, while bringing the traditional classroom into the 21^st century.  WEF has purchased one LCD Projector & Smart Board Display for each of the four elementary schools and Eisenhower Middle School.

Ø      Musical Instruments: For the second straight year, WEF has allocated a significant portion of its annual budget towards the purchase of musical instruments.  In recent years, the number of young musicians in our schools has grown tremendously.  As a result, it has been difficult for the District to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for instruments.  This is especially true for some of the more popular and larger instruments, which are not as easy for students to rent.  WEF has purchased tubas, saxophones and a xylophone, as well as many other instruments.  With over 500 students in the instrumental music program district- wide, WEF’s donation has addressed one of the District’s biggest needs.