D-M’s Borman Elementary receives $525,000 DoD grant

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tim Beckham
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Department of Defense Education Activity Educational Partnership awarded a $525,000 grant to Borman Elementary here recently, which will be used to boast the school's mathematics department.

The grant was officially awarded to the Tucson Unified School District through a grant program aimed at assisting schools that serve children of military families. The Invitational Grant Program is specifically focused on schools that support installations with frequent, as well as sustained deployments, or who are located in remote locations.
The grant will ultimately be used for supplies and tools to increase the education efforts of Borman Elementary, but will also provide the parents of the children who attend the school a little piece of mind.

"This grant affords TUSD the capability to purchase the technology and tools that will undoubtedly enhance the educational experience of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base students attending Borman Elementary," said Lt. Col. Lara C. Brinson, 355th Force Support Squadron commander. "Our military families have a lot on their minds with the current operations tempo, numerous moves, frequent TDYs (temporary duty assignments) and deployments. Now these parents can feel confident knowing their children have a better opportunity for a technological foundation to prepare them for the future."

Studies have shown students who have a solid foundation in mathematics at the elementary level are more successful in higher levels of mathematics. Borman Elementary maintains a 40.6 percent mobility rate as most of the parents are frequently deployed resulting in students moving to new schools. The grant will focus on building this mathematical foundation by implementing a comprehensive math program and integrating a technology based assessment and interactive instructional program.

"Borman Elementary is very fortunate to have received funds from this grant," said Chad Knippen, Borman Elementary principal. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to increase student achievement in mathematics through the use of a comprehensive mathematics program. We will also have the resources to use technology as an instructional tool at a greater level than ever before and we will incorporate professional development for all teachers to maximize our success. With the consistency of these programs and the training our teachers receive we will be able to instill a foundation in mathematics for all of our students that they are able to take with them where ever they go."