LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / February 5, 2000

LULING – The St. Charles School Board received a grant for nearly $150,000from the BellSouth Foundation to bring more technology training into local schools.

BellSouth spokeswoman Mary Ann Francois delivered the check Wednesday to the school board’s meeting, one of four granted in Louisiana. The otherdistricts were those in Sabine, Calcasieu and Plaquemines parishes.

“It was very competitive,” Francois said.

The $149,340 will be directed toward more online computer access, a district technology fair, ongoing e-mail training and lesson-plans development training.

“I am elated that BellSouth has recognized the strides that the St. CharlesParish School Board is making to introduce technology into its schools,” Superintendent Dr. Rodney Lafon said.Francois added, “We are proud to support innovative programs that create and implement new visions of teaching and learning throughout Louisiana.”This is the second of a three-part $10 million educational initiative called “Edu.Pwr3” for BellSouth, pronounced “Ed-U-Power Three.” The first part,labeled “Power to Lead,” brought technology training to superintendents and staff. This part, “Power to Teach,” will bring the same training to teachers.The third part, “Power to Learn,” will introduce the technology training to the classroom.

Earlier, Dr. Lafon attended the first Edu.Pwr 3 “Power to Lead” seminar inAtlanta.

Lafon added, “In 1998, the U.S. Department of Education found that 80percent of teachers did not feel well prepared to integrate technology into their lesson plans. In St. Charles Parish, this grant will assist our teachers inmoving our schools into the forefront of technology.”The BellSouth Foundation was created by BellSouth Corporation in 1986 and has made 400 grants totaling $40 million.

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