Sentry Insurance Foundation Technology Initiative

In 2009, the Sentry Insurance Foundation offered to support a five-year technology initiative for the Pacelli Catholic Schools, aimed at improving the technology skills of Pacelli graduates entering the workforce. The initiative provided laptops for all teachers at Pacelli Catholic Middle School and Pacelli Catholic High School, equipped classrooms with SMART Boards, upgraded computer labs, improved network infrastructure, and placed a laptop into the hands of all students in grades 9-12.

Seeing the success of the five-year technology initiative, the Sentry Insurance Foundation generously agreed to fund a second phase aimed at expanding the use of technology throughout our K-12 schools through 2017. Their continued financial support allows us to upgrade the technology resources in our elementary classrooms, provide all of our middle and high school students with a computing device for use at school and home, and continue professional development and training for our staff.

Beginning with the fall semester of the 2014-2015 school year, all staff and students in grades 6-8 will be issued an iPad. All students in grades 9-12 will receive a Chromebook starting with the 2015-2016 school year, which will replace the current laptops. In addition, all K-5 teachers will receive an iPad in preparation for student iPads during the fall of 2015.

Choosing these devices was a decision based around the educational technology goals of our school system. Both the iPad and the Chromebook allow our teachers to provide our students with digital instructional content, focusing on an individualized, personalized and student-centered learning environment.

With the implementation of the next phase of the Sentry Insurance Foundation Technology Initiative, Pacelli Catholic Schools will be providing our students with a seamless and dynamic learning experience for all of our students. This would not be possible without the generosity of the Sentry Insurance Foundation. We are grateful for their continued support of our students’ education and their commitment to the Stevens Point area community.