Ashdown Elementary School recently received a $1,112.32 grant from the Margaret Daniel Educational Foundation for student iPads and protective cases.
Sarah Adams, a speech therapist at Ashdown Elementary, submitted a grant proposal to the foundation, which seeks to provide grants to teachers in the Ashdown Public School District for funds to assist her speech and language students.
With the iPads, students will be able to interact with the speech and language therapist via the different platforms in which sounds and the use of Boom Cards will be accessible. Students can answer specific questions and allow the teacher to access different sounds and exercises to individualize for each student's needs.
"I was so excited to find out I had received the grant because the technology I have currently is out of date," Adams said.
With the many digitally based options available for speech therapy programs, Adams wanted her students to be able to have fun while also meeting their goals and adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.
"Typical speech group sessions involve materials (e.g., games, flash cards, toys) that are shared across groups and students," she said. "With the current state of our classrooms and the social distancing guidelines we have to follow, I wanted something where all my students could have the same experience but also be adaptable to meet their individual needs."