Apple Distinguish School

Tolbert Elementary recognized as Apple Distinguish School

By Daniel Bell DBell@CalhounTimes.com   Nov 18, 2019 

Apple school

Gordon County School officials, regional lawmakers, school board members and other guests joined the students and staff of Tolbert Elementary School on Monday morning in celebration of the school’s designation as an Apple Distinguished School.

“The award is not for something you strive to achieve, it’s recognition of something you’re already doing,” Chuck Langston, instructional technology coordinator, told the crowd during an assembly Monday.

This designation comes following a tedious application process, where school officials described the use iPads in kindergarten through fifth grade to enhance student engagement in the classroom. It is Tolbert Elementary School’s mission to provide students and faculty with a technology-rich learning environment. Through the effective use of 1:1 technology, including individual iPads (K-5) and iMac labs, student achievement is increased with collaboration, critical thinking skills, and creativity. The administration and faculty at Tolbert Elementary are diligent advocates for students.

To date, the honor has been granted to 470 schools in 34 countries. Only five other schools in Georgia have been recognized by Apple, with Tolbert Elementary being the first public school in the state.

Bryan Nicholson, director of technology for the school system, said the seed for the recognition was planted as the school began a remodel three years ago. Smart boards were replaced with 70-inch Apple televisions and students and teachers were issued iPads and MacBooks to use in class.

Nicholson said the technology has become a complimentary set of tools for teachers and students to use because it allows students to engage in the lesson.

“Students today really like participating in their learning instead of the ‘sit and get’ way of doing things,” he said.

Caroline Stephens, instructional technology coordinator for K-5, said the devices create opportunities for students who may not have access to such technology elsewhere to digitally explore and create.

Principal Sket Angland was presented a framed declaration from an Apple representative in honor of the designation, and she was quick to praise her teachers and students for embracing the move to a more technology-driven classroom.

“Kids, you do amazing things every day. Teachers, you do amazing things every day,” she said.

On the company’s website, Apple describes the recognition like so: “Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence that demonstrate Apple’s vision for learning with technology — and we believe they are some of the most innovative schools in the world.“

TWO GORDON COUNTY SCHOOLS CAMPUSES NAMED AS APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS

CALHOUN, GA – Gordon County Schools is pleased to announce that two schools in our system have been named as Apple Distinguished Schools for 2022-2025. This international designation has been awarded to Ashworth Middle and Tolbert Elementary schools.

Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. They use Apple technology to inspire creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in learning, teaching and the school environment, and have documented results of academic accomplishment. 

Ashworth Middle School has been recognized for the use of their iPad devices as an essential learning tool for finding inspiration, boosting creativity, gaining global insights, and helping students to apply critical thinking skills as they prepare for a successful career in high school and beyond.

Tolbert Elementary School has been named as an Apple Distinguished School for the second time, acknowledging the school’s use of Apple tools and applications to open doors for students to explore the world in ways they would not otherwise experience.

“I am extremely proud of these two schools and their commitment to utilizing technology to increase student engagement and success,” said Dr. Kimberly Fraker, Superintendent of Gordon County Schools.

The selection of Ashworth Middle and Tolbert Elementary as Apple Distinguished Schools highlights their success as innovators who create compelling learning environments that engage students and provides tangible evidence of academic achievement.