Yes, please write on the desk. A student at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Pearl City figures out a math problem on her 21st century desk. (Photo courtesy Augustine Educational Foundation)
By Sue Ferandin
Special to the Herald
During the summer of 2019, encouraged by Marlene DeCosta, the diocesan real estate director and member of Hawaii Catholic School’s Board of Education; the Augustine Educational Foundation followed its making of 21st century classrooms a reality.
This meant fundraising, finding a school to pilot the program, and a lot of faith.
The opportunity came when a long-time foundation supporter made a pledge to match another gift and essentially “over-gave.” We asked if the donor wanted us to return the funds. “No,” we were told, “do something great with the money.” That started it all.
We called a few schools. On a late June day, Chantelle Luarca, principal of Our Lady of Good Counsel, answered the phone. She was on board with helping us pilot this program and helping us write the “playbook” on creating a 21st century learning environment.
We should mention that this meant piling on a lot of extra work for Luarca, with meetings, measurements, freight delivery, assembly, painting, cleaning and more added to her already busy schedule. We also wanted her and her fourth grade teacher, whose class was the recipient of the gift, to speak about it at our annual donor appreciation event.
In late September, Luarca and teacher Brie Haner told educators and benefactors how this “learniture” (learning furniture) allowed the kids to work collaboratively, build groups for projects and discussion, and even write on their dry-erase desktops to explore math problems. After hearing their speeches, one anonymous donor asked to meet the next day and visit this new classroom.
Upon arrival and seeing the possibilities, the donor pledged to replicate the classroom for the fifth grade, adding brand new 80-inch smart boards (huge interactive computer screens) for both grades.
We are proud to tell you that within six months, Our Lady of Good Counsel School has two brand-new 21st century classrooms and interactive smart boards in the fourth and fifth grade. I don’t doubt that this is only the beginning!
Ferandin is the executive director of the Augustine Educational Foundation.
