Funding provided to enhance Career and Technical Education at Chelan High School
information released
The Lake Chelan School District is proud to announce the receipt of two $10,000 Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Computer Science Grants.
These grants will significantly upgrade the technology in the Chelan High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) Business and Technology computer lab. These enhancements will ensure that students gain hands-on experience with modern tools critical for success in today’s tech-driven world.
Classes benefiting from these upgrades include Intro to Computer Science, Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science, Accounting, Digital Photography, and Entrepreneurship, all taught by Mrs. Jess Poland. These courses are central to preparing students for careers in business, technology, and innovation.
Procurement and installation of the new devices will be completed by Lake Chelan School District Technology Team members Frank Phelps and Eric Page.
Scott Granger, Chelan High School Associate Principal and CTE Director, expressed his excitement about the grant awards.
“These funds will provide our students with access to state-of-the-art technology, bridging the gap between classroom learning and the demands of the modern workforce,” stated Granger. “This investment will empower our students to explore, create, andinnovate in ways that weren’t possible before.”
Chelan High School Business and Technology teacher Jess Poland
In addition to the (OSPI) Computer Science Grants, funding from the Carl D. Perkins Act will also support the purchase of the new computers. The Perkins Act funding, totaling over $12,000, is specifically designed to supplement educational programs by providing additional resources to enhance career and technical education. Perkins grants enable schools to expand opportunities for students to explore and pursue career pathways, ensuring that they meet challenging academic and technical standards for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations. This combined funding ensures that Chelan High School students will have access to robust and state-of-the-art educational tools.
The grant funding will enable the school to purchase cutting-edge computers and software, ensuring that students have the tools they need to thrive in their studies and future careers. The support also aligns with Lake Chelan School District’s ongoing mission to ensure academic,social, and emotional success for every one of their students, which includes 64% of the student population living in poverty who may not have equitable access to technology.
About OSPI Computer Science Grants:
The OSPI Computer Science and AP Computer Science Initiative Grants are designed to improve access to computer science education in Washington state. These grants support teacher training and credentialing, technology upgrades, and initiatives to engage underserved student populations. Schools in rural areas, with significant numbers of low-income students, or without existing AP Computer Science offerings, are prioritized.
About the Carl D. Perkins Act: The Carl D. Perkins Act provides supplemental funding to enhance career and technical education programs by offering students access to modern technology, rigorous academic standards, and career pathways. The act emphasizes collaboration between schools, industries, and communities to ensure students are prepared for high-demand careers and post-secondary education.
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Established in 1892, Lake Chelan School District serves nearly 1,300 students with 97 percent of its students graduating in four years and more than 54 percent of high school students enrolled in no-cost, college-level coursework (OSPI data). The district’s headquarters is located at 309 E. Johnson Ave., Chelan, WA 98816. Telephone: (509) 682-3515.
