Local United Way invests in students
Published 5:08 pm Saturday, December 1, 2012
![WP-BCS-United-way.-Bath-Elementary-teacher-Barbie-Hagen-helps-students-as-they-work-on-newly-donated-laptops.](http://www.wdnweb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2012/12/WP-BCS-United-way.-Bath-Elementary-teacher-Barbie-Hagen-helps-students-as-they-work-on-newly-donated-laptops..jpg)
Bath Elementary School teacher Barbie Hagen helps students as they work on newly donated laptops. (Submitted Photo/Beaufort County Schools)
Access to computers has increased for students at two Beaufort County schools, thanks to the Beaufort County United Way.
More than 50 laptop computers were divided between Bath Elementary School and John Small Elementary School. The computers were donated by industry and refurbished by the United Way in Raleigh.
“Technology skills are a crucial piece of preparing students for their futures. Gifts such as these laptops help us provide more continuous instruction when budgets may not allow,” said Don Phipps, BCS superintendent. “We are so appreciative of this type of support from a community partner like the United Way.”
Thanks to this donation, Bath Elementary School recently unveiled its first-ever mobile laptop cart. The mobile cart will enhance student research projects, technology lessons and student skills.
John Small Elementary School is taking a similar route to putting their gifts to work. Students and teachers will be able to check out the computers for research report work or any class work that can be supported by technology.
Students also will be using the computers to access learning-focused software programs.
“The United Way of Beaufort County realizes the critical role education plays in moving our fellow residents and Beaufort County forward economically,” said Mark Hamblin, executive director of the Beaufort County United Way. “Introduction to technology is a big part of that education for our school-age kids. We’re thrilled to have been able to partner with Dr. Phipps and Beaufort County Schools to help bring these computers to the county and help to bridge the ‘digital divide’ that exists in our part of the state.”
Any business that has updated computers and wants to put the older ones back to work for someone else is encouraged to contact the Beaufort County United Way at 975-6209.