It was an exciting day at Cardinal Community Schools as officials shared the news to a packed gymnasium that a $470,000 grant had been received from the Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation.  The grant, which will be paid out over the next three years and matched by the school system will be used to pay for multiple items around technology; including equipment and salaries for new tech coach positions implemented in the district.  Perhaps the most exciting piece of the grant will be used for technology and furniture to outfit the new 21^st Century Classroom located in the Cardinal School building.  This new learning space will be staffed with a technology integrationist to ensure students are given the opportunities to learn rigorous and relevant content through the use of technology that enables communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.  Additionally, the room will provide:

• Technology to conduct experiments or solve authentic problems
• Opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning creatively
• Opportunities to create animations, models and simulations
• Space to collaborate with peers
• A place to house the secondary after school program
• A new community gathering space
• Additional partnership opportunities

“Our new learning space, partnerships, and focus on 21^st Century skills will further expand the horizons of our students, continually improve instruction, and make a difference in the lives of Cardinal students”, stated Joel Pedersen, Cardinal School District Superintendent.

For more information on the recent announcement, please visit the Cardinal Community School website or KTVO news.