Sarasota News Leader
November 1, 2013
Page 69
COMCAST AWARDS EDUCATION FOUNDATION A $20,000 GRANT
Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Comcast
Foundation, the Education Foundation of
Sarasota County will accelerate a new digital
literacy initiative to reach young people across
the county, the foundation has announced.
"As a result, hundreds of students will gain
access to high-quality digital tools, training
and tutoring in safe, supportive environments
during the 2013-2014 school year," a news
release says.
With the Comcast Foundation funds, the
Education Foundation's Texcellence Program
will launch its newest Digital Learning Lab
in partnership with Alta Vista Elementary
Ty Blanton, 6, enjoys working with his new
School. More than 115 students who attend
computer from the Education Foundation.
Alta Vista's A+ Adventure Club after-school
Contributed photo
program will use the lab, the release points
out.
"Over the past six years, the Education
Foundation's Texcellence program has taken
"The first Education Foundation Digital
one teacher's vision and scaled it up to reach
Learning Lab was installed in April to enrich
every neighborhood in the district," the
Laurel Civic Association's after-school, weekrelease points out. "A collaboration between
end, and summer programs," the release adds.
the foundation and Sarasota County Schools
Other Digital Learning Labs are planned for
that is supported by private donations and
at least 10 locations, including YMCA's Triad
grants, Texcellence is recognized as a national
sites, Sarasota Housing Authority, Sarasota
model for public/private partnerships, giving
County Libraries, Boys and Girls Clubs and
families the digital tools they need to support
21st Century Community Learning Centers.
their students' academic achievement."
Susan Scott, executive director of the
Since 2007, the release continues, "a total of
Education Foundation, announced the grant.
6,621 Sarasota County students in need have
"Even with the success of our Texcellence
received a home computer, training for the
computer donation program, we found that an
family and ongoing low-cost technical supalarming number of students still have limited
port. Since 2011, every Texcellence family has
or no access to digital technology outside the
also qualified for a discounted subscription
classroom," she said in the release. "Having
at $10 per month through Comcast's Internet
this Comcast Foundation grant means we will
Essentials program."
be able to reach so many more young people
who need these tools and are incredibly moti- For more information about Texcellence and
vated to learn with them — with a little help Digital Learning Labs, visit www.texcellence.
org or contact Jennifer Sams at 927-0965.
from caring adults."
