News Release
April 2, 2007
OpenWorld Learning Announces Grant For Ellis Elementary School
OpenWorld Learning (OWL) announced last week that it has received a grant of $5,000 to buy new computers for Ellis Elementary School's computer lab. The grant will enable the purchase of up to five new computers, which in turn will allow five additional students to enroll in the OWL Program at the school. Thirty students in grades 3-5 are currently enrolled in the program at Ellis.
Chris Myers, CEO of OpenWorld Learning, said, "This very generous contribution was given by former Denver mayor Federico Peña and his wife, Cindy, who 'adopted' Ellis this year. The Peña's have also been long-time supporters of the OWL Program as it has grown from three schools in 2003 to 10 schools today."
OWL's mission is to support the school success of at-risk children by tapping the power of digital technology and peer teaching to ignite a love of learning and leadership. OWL fulfills its mission by partnering with public schools to use computer labs that would otherwise sit empty during after-school and summer hours.
OWL is a tuition-free, voluntary after-school and summer program offered four days a week, three hours a day. The OWL Program includes a healthy snack, team-energizer, computer lab project time and writing and homework support.
OWL students learn advanced computer skills, including computer programming. They develop basic skills in reading, writing and math, and learn the core skills of the Information Age, including creative thinking, analytic reasoning, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership. OWL recruits and trains its own teachers, typically college students, recent graduates and retirees. Also leading each site is a volunteer team of six "Student Leaders," 10- and 11-year-olds promoted from the ranks of OWL students, who create a powerful and positive peer culture as they teach writing, drawing, and computer programming to their peers.
OWL currently serves 600 children in grades 3-5 in nine Denver-area public schools and one pilot middle school.
Please contact Ms. Connie Clifton, Administrative Assistant at Ellis, with any questions. She can be reached at 303-756-8363. Ellis Elementary is located at 1651 S. Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80222.