News : Tilford Elementary classrooms have iPads, thanks to Clickstop donation

Tilford 1M students work on interactive math on an iPad, thanks to a donation by Clickstop.

Nicole Guenther of Clickstop looks over the iPad with Mrs. Mathis and Principal Jim Murray.

Mrs. Mathis uses an iPad to teach her first grade class at Tilford.

More kindergarten and first grade students at Vinton’s Tilford Elementary are taking advantage of the latest technology thanks to a donation of Apple iPads by area e-commerce company, Clickstop.

Fundraising to purchase the iPads was just in the planning stages in December when Nicole Guenther, wife of Clickstop CEO Tim Guenther, learned about the need through the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). She contacted PTO member Nikki Dudley to see how Clickstop could help. With the company's donation of $10,000, the PTO was able to purchase 20 iPads, along with protective covers. The PTO also used money from its fall fundraiser to purchase another 10 iPads, so each kindergarten and first grade classroom could have three iPads each.

“Technology can be such a great supplement to learning, we were excited to be able to help the school provide this new avenue of teaching for the kindergarten and first grade students,” said Guenther. The Guenthers have an eighth grader and a second grader in the Vinton Shellsburg Community school district.

Dudley agrees: “We decided to try and get iPads for the classrooms because they can be such a great learning resource for kids. There are countless interactive educational apps that are adaptable to a range of learning abilities,” said Dudley. “With the small size, portability and ease of use of the iPad, more kids can have technology at their fingertips, for a more individualized, hands-on experience.”

Tilford principal Jim Murray is also excited to have the cutting-edge technology available for the younger students. “Research shows all ages can benefit from the use of iPads, with many applications designed to specifically target beginner learner skills,” said Murray. “Our teachers and technology teams are finding motivating and engaging applications that support early literacy skills practice and learning.”

Murray says the goal for the school is to eventually have three iPads in each grade 2, 3, and 4 classroom as well.

“We are so appreciative of Nicole stepping in and arranging Clickstop’s generous donation,” said Murray. “It meant we were able to avoid hitting our families again with another fundraiser this school year, making this a win-win situation for the parents, teachers, and the students.”

About Clickstop, Inc.
Clickstop is the parent company of a suite of online retail stores based out of Urbana, Iowa. Focused on offering relevant products, timely delivery, and excellent customer service, Clickstop web properties serve diverse markets that include the moving and cargo control industry, energy efficient insulation products, home organizing solutions, and personal fashion and styling. For more information visit http://www.clickstop.com