Blessed Sacrament School receives $2,000 Best Buy Award

SANDY — Blessed Sacrament Catholic Elementary/Middle School has received a $2,000 Teach Award from Best Buy Co., Inc. for integrating interactive technology into its curriculum.

The second grade core curriculum provides many opportunities for use of computers in the classroom. Providing technology in the classroom provides students with hands-on opportunities for learning. Technology allows for differentiated instruction to take place that will allow students to work at their own pace. Technology engages students and makes learning effective, efficient, and fun.

"The information world is endless and I, as a teacher, would like to provide each of my students a pathway into this world through the use of computers," said Melodie Pasinsky, second grade teacher.

This year, Best Buy Teach Awards of $2,000 were given to 1,300 schools to sustain or enhance existing educational programs. An additional 50 schools were awarded $10,000 for technology-based programs they’ve successfully implemented. Eight school districts will also receive $100,000 awards, which will be announced in May 2008.

"Teachers are finding creative ways to engage students by using technology hands-on; we want to support their efforts by helping them enhance or expand these programs," said Paula Prahl, vice president of public affairs, Best Buy Co., Ind. "We know that schools are the cornerstones of these communities where our employees, customers, and their families live and work."

Since 2003, the Best Buy Teach Award Program has rewarded schools that creatively integrate interactive technology into their curricula. Over the past four years, nearly 5,000 schools nationwide have received $14 million in Teach Awards, reaching 1.5 million K-12 students. All accredited public and private nonprofit elementary, middle, and secondary schools located within 50 miles of a Best Buy store are eligible.

Visit www.BestBuy.com/CommunityRelations for more information about how Best Buy supports communities and the education and technology-based partnerships and programs.