School District Is First in North Carolina to Mobilize Study Hall

AVERY COUNTY, N.C., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --The Avery County School District is the first in North Carolina to use wireless technology to take pre-kindergarten education to those who need it most—three and four-year olds who are not currently enrolled in a pre-K program. The school district converted a retired school bus into a mobile classroom equipped with the latest wireless technology to offer literacy, math and science programs to communities throughout Avery County.

The program is called SCOTTIE – which stands for Supporting Children's Opportunities Through Technology, Innovation and Education – and it uses a Verizon Cradlepoint router to fuel tablets with Internet access for read-aloud story time, reading activities and play-based learning centers. A credentialed pre-K teacher and assistant administer the state-sponsored curriculum.

"We know that a student who shows up for the first day of kindergarten prepared with the basics is more likely to succeed throughout his or her school career," said David Burleson, superintendent of Avery County Schools. "SCOTTIE helps us equip our future students with the skills they need to experience early success."

Each week the SCOTTIE rolling study hall stops in several locations across the county to provide instruction on a Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday format. Teachers measure each student's success by assessing their skills before they begin the SCOTTIE curriculum and again once the school year ends. A school nurse is also available through the SCOTTIE program to help address a child's basic healthcare needs.

"SCOTTIE is the first of its kind in North Carolina," said Jerry Fountain, president Verizon Wireless, Carolinas/Tennessee Region. "Today's preschool aged children will see technology play an incredible role in their world, and for many students, SCOTTIE may be their first chance to see how technology can help them learn."

SCOTTIE is an extension of the Avery County Schools Pre-Kindergarten and Smart Start programs and is made possible by Title 1 funding, the North Carolina Partnership for Children and a grant from the High Country United Way.

Parents interested in enrolling their child in the SCOTTIE program should contact Avery County Schools at (828) 733-6006.

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SOURCE Verizon Wireless