| Organizations receive computers for preschool learners |
By: Melissa Kaelin
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Posted: Thursday, October 22, 2009 10:41 pm
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Lisa Klossner leads a group through the Young Explorer Learning System in training at the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation on Thursday morning.
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By MELISSA KAELIN
mkaelin@owatonna.com
OWATONNA — The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation awarded computers to 15 different organizations on Thursday in the name of early childhood education.
Organizations from as close as Waseca to as far away as New Ulm received Young Explorer Learning Systems, which are computer systems designed for preschool learners, each valued at $2,149.
“This is always a fun day for us,” said Tim Penny, president and CEO of SMIF.
In addition to distributing the computers, representatives from each organization traveled to Owatonna for about three hours of training on the computers Thursday morning.
Ytive Prafke, who serves as the early childhood coordinator for St. Peter Public Schools, said the computer systems were a unique way to bring technology to children who might have never been exposed to it. She said the system would aid her school district in making sure every child is ready for kindergarten.
“We do have some of these computers that are already in place in the community,” said Penny.
A Young Explorer Learning System is in place at the Owatonna Public Library, and others have been given out locally as well. Through a partnership with the IBM Corporation in Rochester, SMIF has been able to award 120 computers to 93 different organizations in four years.
“We are pleased to be able to partner with IBM to provide these exceptional systems to encourage fun and learning through the use of technology,” said Penny. “We believe investing in our young children if a long-term strategy that will lead to a capable workforce.”
The systems were awarded to Byron ECFE, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial ECSE, Le Center Public Schools, Mankato’s MVAC Head Start, Homeless Homebase Program, Mankato Public Schools ECSE, Martin County Library System, New Ulm’s Kids X-Cel Center, Northfield’s Hand in Hand Preschool, St. Charles’ St. Matthews Community Preschool, St. James’ MVAC Head Start, St. Peter ECFE, Springfield Public Schools, Waseca’s MVAC Head Start, Wells’ United South Central Schools, Kids Korner Preschool and West Concord Public Library.
The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is a donor-supported foundation that invests in economic growth in 20 counties in southern Minnesota.
Melissa Kaelin can be reached at 444-2372.
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