Wednesday, April 20, 2016

LOCAL ORGANIZATION DONATES IPADS TO EAGLE PASS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS




Local organization, Eagle Pass HEROES, donated over 40 iPads to Eagle Pass Independent School District Special Education classrooms on April 20, 2016.  At an event hosted by the Eagle Pass Independent School District Administration and Special Education Director, Elizabeth Torres, the iPads were delivered to special education representatives for every campus in the district.

Eagle Pass HEROES was formed by a local group of individuals who were interested in improving access to resources for children with special needs in our community.

“Our organization was formed to assist children in our area with special needs obtain resources that will assist in their developmental and educational success,” said Catrina Purcell Longoria, the organization’s Executive Director.  As the parent of a child with autism, Mrs. Longoria understands the importance of providing resources to the children in the community to help them develop into successful adults.  With the support of fellow board members Wendy Maurer, Elizabeth Perez and Nikolas Libson, the organization was able to generate sufficient funds to get iPads into the special educations classrooms district-wide. 

“Working on this project for the kids in our community reminded me why I love Eagle Pass and why I came back to Eagle Pass to pursue my career,” said Mrs. Longoria.  “The generosity of our community and the way everyone comes together for a good cause makes me proud to call Eagle Pass my home.”  Eagle Pass HEROES has already received commitments from other contributors and expects to donate additional iPads to the district before the end of the 2015-2016 school year.  Eagle Pass HEROES is working closely with newly appointed Special Education Director, Elizabeth Torres, to identify the needs of the special education children and find funding sources to meet those needs.

The purpose behind the donation of the iPads to the special education classrooms was to put proven technology in the hands of the children who can benefit from it the most.  Numerous studies have supported the use of devices such as iPads for the development and education of children with special needs.

There are 5 key features that make the iPad most beneficial to helping children with disabilities[1]:

1. Accessibility Features


2. Special Education Apps


3. Over 20,000 Education Apps for iPad


4. Portability


5. Motivation

It is well known that iPad touch technology supports interactive features that include drag and drop, tap, swipe, shake and drawing. These features add an element of fun to activities, making many apps a cross-over between “educational” and “games.” This creates motivational incentives for children to engage who might otherwise be less motivated.

The donation of the iPads by Eagle Pass HEROES was made possible due to the generous support of community partners like Aguila Construction, Morris & Dora Libson Family, Hilda Martinez Caballero & Family, Dr. Hector Alvarez and Eagle Pass Dental Clinic, La Guadalupana Adult Day Care, Superintendent of Schools--Mr. Gilberto Gonzalez, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Johnson, EPHS Administrator--Mr. John Cox, Ms. Sandra Ruiz Rodriguez with Rio Insurance Agency, Kunafin-The Insectory and Escamilla and Poneck, Inc.

For more information about Eagle Pass HEROES, please contact Catrina Purcell Longoria at 830-773-6700.