Great Lakes Academy will use technology to empower students thanks to Relativity Wired to Learn grant

The public elementary school will use the grant to bring new technology to classrooms and give older students a 1:1 technology ratio.

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Relativity

Oct 30, 2018, 09:00 ET

CHICAGO, Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Lakes Academy Charter School (GLA) has been awarded a Wired to Learn grant for technology education from Relativity, a Chicago-based software company.

GLA will use the Wired to Learn grant, part of the Relativity Gives community partnership program, to provide state-of-the-art classroom technology and a 1:1 tech device ratio in fifth grade classrooms.

"This grant will provide technology to increase peer-to-peer collaboration and give students the ability to access all curriculum in engaging and meaningful ways," said Katherine Myers-Crum, Founder and Executive Director of GLA. "This grant is crucial for us as it will directly impact student achievement and student growth, while also providing students with a technology skillset required to be globally competitive."

GLA is a public elementary charter school straddling Chicago's South Shore and South Chicago neighborhoods. The school's mission, in partnership with families and the school community, is to prepare students with the fundamental academic skills, critical thinking ability and strength of character to excel in high school, college and a career of their choice. GLA empowers students with the education today that they will need to change the world tomorrow. The school currently serves grades K-5 and will expand to grades K-8 by adding one grade level each year.

Wired to Learn grants are awarded to schools that demonstrate a need for technology and present a vision for how it will be integrated into academic programming. Schools receive $250,000 over three years.

Portions of the grant will help GLA teachers develop best practices for using technology in the classroom to effect lasting, positive change within the students and their communities.

"Technology will help teachers ensure our instruction is both rigorous and individualized to our students' needs," said Shavon Mathus, GLA's Principal. "We are excited to increase our use of technology in daily instruction because it is crucial that our learning environment remains engaging, data driven and accessible for all of our students. Increasing our use of technology here at Great Lakes Academy is essential to preparing students for success in high school, college, and future careers."

Relativity Gives, which was created to help youth — especially those with limited resources — gain access to the technology, equipment and training they need to be successful in today's world. To date, the company given $2.1 million in grants to technology and education organizations that share that mission.

"Technology helps level the playing field for future generations and we're committed to increasing access to it in the communities where our offices reside," said Dorie Blesoff, Chief People Officer at Relativity. "Wired to Learn grants make real, measurable difference in Chicago area schools and neighborhoods and we're excited to see how a partner like Great Lakes Academy will use this opportunity to achieve their vision of educating students and empowering them to succeed as they grow."

To learn more about how Great Lakes Academy serves students and the community, visit www.glachicago.org.

About Great Lakes Academy Charter School

Great Lakes Academy (GLA) is a high-performing elementary charter school located on Chicago's South East Side. GLA's model includes a data-driven, individualized learning philosophy that provides students with a solid academic foundation while promoting character and social/emotional skill growth and critical thinking ability to develop self-aware, life-long learners. GLA's individualized learning is implemented through small group instruction, online learning and a Bridge to Greatness individualized tutoring class. GLA strives to empower students with the knowledge, character skills, problem solving skills, self-esteem, and tools of self-reliance to take advantage of opportunities for academic and life success. Great Lakes Academy was named as one of Chicago's Top 5 Elementary Charter Schools by Chicago Magazine (Sept. 2018). Please visit www.glachicago.org for more information.

About Relativity

At Relativity, we make software to help users organize data, discover the truth, and act on it. Our e-discovery platform is used by thousands of organizations around the world to manage large volumes of data and quickly identify key issues during litigation, internal investigations, and compliance projects. Relativity has over 180,000 users in 40+ countries from organizations including the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 70 Fortune 100 companies, and 198 of the Am Law 200. RelativityOne offers all the functionality of Relativity in a secure and comprehensive SaaS product. Relativity has been named one of Chicago's Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune for seven consecutive years. Please contact Relativity at [email protected] or visit http://www.relativity.com for more information.

SOURCE Relativity