SIKESTON -- Over the past year several businesses and individuals have offered their financial support of Sikeston R-6 School District's Project iLearn.
Most recently, from Sikeston Public Schools Foundation, $75,000 of donated funds were applied to Project iLearn for the purchase of iPads for Sikeston Junior High School and will be used by both students and staff when the new school year begins Aug. 14.
In addition, Delta Regional Authority approved a grant for $24,531.76 which has been applied to the costs associated with Project iLearn and the purchase of iPads at the Junior High.
"We need to thank the community for their support of iLearn and the Foundation," said Charlotte York of Sikeston. "The community has definitely supported the Foundation. It would not be possible without their help. We're proud of the schools, our town and most of all, the citizens."
Leven Cox of Sikeston said he and his wife made a contribution to Project iLearn because they wanted to support the initiative and Sikeston R-6 students. Cox said the implementation of technology in schools is very important for students and the community.
Stephanie Gleason of Sikeston agreed. She and her husband, Jim Gleason, who is also a Sikeston R-6 school board member, have two daughters who attend Sikeston High School.
"We whole-heartedly supported the initiative," Gleason said. "The opportunity to have exposure to that technology at this age is amazing."
Gleason, who previously served as the director of SPS Foundation during the 2013-2014 school year, said it's been great -- to observe her children's technical abilities with the iPads.
"My youngest daughter, who is 16 and has been wanting a golden retriever puppy, made a PowerPoint presentation and showed her dad why we needed a golden retriever puppy, and as of today, we have a golden retriever puppy," Gleason said.
Gleason also said both of her teen daughters made PowerPoint presentations of their Christmas wish lists.
For the complete story, see the Sunday edition of the Standard Democrat.