Amador County – Ione Elementary School last week acknowledged the community, and the owners of Rancho Arroyo Seco for combining efforts to raise $20,000 for new computers at the grade school.

The Amador County Unified School District received copies of an acknowledgement form and a letter of thanks last week from the school’s principal, sent in January to thank Arroyo Seco and the community for the $20,652 raised for Ione Elementary School at an annual dinner, including $10,000 matched by Rancho Arroyo Seco. Administrative Assistant Jeri Blackburn completed an “acknowledgement of donation of gift” on Jan. 19, for a check in that amount, in donation from Amador Ranch Associates LLC, of Ione.

Ione Elementary Interim Principal Peggy Gardner sent a letter Jan. 24 to Amador Ranch Associates giving thanks “on behalf of the students, staff and parents of Ione Elementary.” Gardner thanked Bill Bunce, Rancho Arroyo Seco, and Sharon Long, “for your amazing efforts and very generous donation to fund Apple iPad 2” computers “and ancillary equipment for each of our classrooms.”

Gardner said: “Especially in these uncertain economic times, it is extremely difficult to keep abreast of current technology and offer our students the tools and experiences to enhance their learning.”

In the letter shared with ACUSD’s board last week, Gardner said: “I am happy to report that the computer lab which you previously funded is used daily by students and staff. This new technology will add greatly to the tools teachers can use to augment their lessons and make the curriculum more accessible to all students.”

She said: “We are proud to be members of such a caring community and work with you as a partner to provide the best educational opportunity possible for our students.”

Money was raised last October in Rancho Arroyo Seco’s fifth annual Red Barn dinner fundraiser, the “Bulldog Bytes Again.” The company matched up to $10,000 in donations, and the purpose was to purchase 18 Apple iPads, keyboards, projectors and adaptors for Ione Elementary School teachers, grades K-5 and special education.

The Apple iPad includes application software in English language arts, mathematics, science, history and geography, art, music and creativity. Two years ago, the community and Rancho Arroyo Seco funded a 32-workstation computer lab at the school that is used daily by all students.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.