Story by Ainsley Hall
MARTINSBURG — The Spring Mills Primary and Berkeley Heights Elementary School Parent-Teacher Associations both receive funding through the PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go! program.
Through a partnership between the National PTA and AT&T, the program helps fund events where families can learn more about screen readiness and how to teach kids to use technology responsibly.
Each PTA received grant funding to put together events where people in its specific community can learn more about using technology safely. Families face a lot of decisions when it comes to using technology, but through these events, they can develop habits that will keep their kids safe online.
“The PTA helps us build a better connection to parents and the community,” said Nicole Krause, principal of Spring Mills Primary. “Because of them, we can help parents and guardians better understand where they are with technology.”
Spring Mills Primary plans to host a workshop for families that will focus on screen readiness for kids. It received $1,250 to connect with members of the community and help them make the best decisions for their students. The goal is to help them create a healthy digital home.
Meanwhile, Berkeley Heights Elementary’s PTA is still planning its event, but it hopes to have it sometime this winter. It plans to use the money from the grant to get a better sound system and promote the event. Even though the PTA started a year ago, members have worked hard to bring people together.
Berkeley Heights Elementary Principal Melissa Golliday talked about how fortunate the school is to have the PTA.
“The PTA shows the outside community what we are doing as a school,” Golliday said. “They put together events for the community and create a positive climate. They help students enjoy coming to school and increase attendance in the school, too. If students are here, then they can learn.”
These PTAs worked hard to support their school by applying for this program and creating these events. Their dedication will help families learn how to better use technology at home.
To learn more about the Ready, Tech, Go! program, visit https://www.pta.org/home/programs/connected/ready-tech-go.