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Solanco High School Students Benefit From More Than $26,000 in Donations

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 March 2006, 15:00 CST

By ROXANNE TODD, Correspondent

Solanco High School students are getting some cutting-edge technology, thanks to Solanco Education Foundation. Several local businesses have donated more than $26,000 through the states Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, which allows them a 75 percent tax credit for their donations to the foundation. Armstrong World Industries donated $12,858; Conestoga Title Insurance Co. and Eschbach Bus Service each gave $5,000; and Giant Food Stores gave $3,310. This years donations will be used to buy interactive science probe ware with mobile computing abilities. The initial purchase will be for 15 mobile wireless computers that can be moved from classroom to classroom. As additional funding becomes available, probe ware that will allow students to obtain complex scientific data will be added. Students will be able to see data being recorded as they work on producing chemical reactions, dissect specimens and perform other science experiments. We really appreciate the monetary help from these businesses, said Brett Miller, Solanco High School lead science teacher, who wrote the interactive science probe ware grant with Thomas Stauffer, Solanco technology integrator

. This program is something were really looking forward to doing. This is an ongoing effort. Were all in this together, Miller said. Stauffer said the new equipment will help the high school science teachers integrate todays technology into the classroom, where modern textbooks include CDs and DVDs as learning tools. For us in education, technology is constantly changing, he said. The computers and digital probe ware take the student from desk and theoretical discussion to the lab bench and hands-on application of concepts, Stauffer and Miller wrote in the grant application. Were delighted about the program. It is a win-win for the community and the school. Our vision of giving is to eradicate hunger first. ... The other part of our mission is to help children. We like to give to the communities in which we serve. ... Were interested in helping the entire community, said Christopher Band, Giant manager of consumer affairs and community relations. Although Giant does not have any stores in southern Lancaster County, they do have six in other locations in the county. The fact that Solanco Education Foundation is involved in the program is one of the reasons Solanco received a Giant donation. Kerry E. Eltman, senior accountant for Conestoga Title Insurance, Lancaster, said his company chose to donate to Solanco Education Foundation because the money is used here. It ties in with what we want to do to help the community. Obviously, theres a tax benefit to the company, so its a win-win situation for the company, he said. We chose Solanco because we have a number of employees who graduated from Solanco. Its their alma mater. ... Its nice to see the dollars being put to work in our local community, Eltman added. Better programs mean better education, and that is vital to preparing students for the work force. Both Brand and Eltman agree that is one of the leading factors in their companys decision to support Solanco Education Foundation through the program. Its where our employees come from, Brand said. Its an investment in the future, Eltman said. Keith Kaufman, Solanco School District communications director and a member of the Solanco Education Foundation board, said the district is extremely grateful to receive the extra money for programs that enhance student learning.

Source: Intelligencer Journal

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