Wahluke awarded grant by Apple

MATTAWA - Wahluke High School has been selected to receive an Apple grant as part of the ConnectED program.

"This is a really big grant," Principal Jeff Pietla said. "It's a huge grant."

Nationwide, Apple made grants to 114 schools. Five were to Washington schools, three of which are in Mattawa. The others are Mattawa Elementary and Morris Schott Elementary.

"Each school applied separately," Pietla said. "I haven't heard about the middle school." The award will enable Wahluke to provide a comprehensive 1:1 technology solution for every student and teacher, including Apple hardware, software and services.

Pietla said every student will receive an iPad, and teachers will receive an iPad or Macbook for use while they're at Wahluke. Each classroom will have a monitor to which the iPads can be connected.

Pietla said he still needs to work on details, but there likely will be a check-out, check-in system. As seniors graduate, they will leave their iPads behind for incoming freshmen.

By providing students, teachers, and administrators with Apple technology, Wahluke High School will be able to enrich its classroom experience and expand opportunities for its students.

"We are very excited about receiving this grant," Pietla said. "This grant will have a tremendous impact on our students and our greater community. It will allow us the opportunity to strengthen our mission of preparing our students to be successful in their post secondary studies, and in the worldwide economy."

The Apple Company noted that Wahluke High School is a minority-majority school that is home to 570 students in grades 9-12. The student body is predominately Hispanic, and 100 percent of the student population is served by the Federal meals program.