Eight grade six classes selected to participate in 2000–2001 Connections exchange program

Canadian and U.S. schools will share curriculum, projects and experiences as Connections enters second year

Atlanta, GA --- June 26, 2000 --- The SMARTer Kids Foundation has selected eight schools to participate in the second year of the Connections Program. Connections is an exchange program that provides technology, training and travel opportunities to grade six teachers and students across Canada and the U.S. By developing joint projects, sharing curriculum and encouraging communication, Connections participants have the opportunity to develop new friendships and share experiences with other students across North America. A special focus of this year’s program will be the development of leadership opportunities for Connections students.

Participating teachers will meet in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, this summer for one week of hands-on technology training and thematic project planning. During this time teachers will have the opportunity to get to know other Connections teachers, share ideas and develop collaborative projects. In addition, some of last year’s teachers will be participating in the training sessions, providing insight and guidance to the new Connections teachers. In May 2001 one teacher and eight students from each class will spend a week in Calgary, meeting the e-pals with whom they have been communicating throughout the year. Students not traveling to Calgary will participate in elements of the exchange electronically.

"The Connections Program has already touched the lives of hundreds of students who participated in the pilot program this past year," says Nancy Knowlton, executive director of the SMARTer Kids Foundation. "We are excited to bring eight new schools into the program this year, providing an adventure in learning for the 2000–2001 Connections students."

"The Connections Program changed the lives of the children in my classroom," says Jane Gutierrez, Connections teacher at Brush School Elementary in Cleveland, OH. "As we moved from our introductory stage to projects on which we collaborated with other schools, the class began to come together as a cooperative team. This was a fabulous outcome for any class, but for this class it was incredible."

2000 – 2001 Participating Schools The eight schools that have been chosen to participate in this year’s Connections program include six U.S. and two Canadian schools.
U.S. schools:
	Peebles Elementary, New Iberia, LA
	Campbellton Elementary School, New Haven, MO
	Taylor Elementary School, Hobbs, MO
	Caledonia School, East Cleveland, OH
	West Elementary School, Wheatland, WY
	Oakview Elementary School, Centrailia, WA
Canadian schools:
	Elizabeth School, Cold Lake, AB
	W.O. Mitchell, Calgary, AB
Product Donations All Connections schools will receive a SMART Board™ 580, Floor Stand 570, SMART Board Software, SynchronEyes™ (computer-lab instruction software) and an NEC MT 1020 projector. These products will be integrated into the curriculum to support collaborative, interactive learning experiences.

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Please note that SMART is in all capital letters.