Raymond S. Kellis High School recently became the recipient of a grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation, worth $137,500, which allows every freshmen at the school to receive an inkable laptop. The one-to-one initiative, which will take effect in January, offers all ninth-graders a laptop computer to enhance the learning process at school and at home.

Upon signing a user agreement and attending an orientation, all freshmen will be equipped with an HP ProBook with a touchscreen, allowing students the ability to write by hand directly on the device, also known as “inking.” Students will be expected to take the laptop home with them each night and return with it the following school day, fully charged and ready to use. Teachers will have additional professional development opportunities so they may offer enhanced support to students with their new device.

“We are excited and thankful to have the unique opportunity to be the recipient of this grant. Because of this partnership, we are able to improve the educational experience of our students,” said Jeff Wooten, principal at Raymond S. Kellis High School, which lays east of the tribe's Desert Diamond Casino in Glendale.

Peoria Unified School District, which is located in the Northwest Valley, boasts a 93 percent high school graduation rate. It is one of the largest unified school districts in Arizona and prides itself on excelling schools, award-winning teachers, high test scores, specialized signature programs and championship sports programs. The Vision of the Peoria Unified School District is “Every student, every day, prepared to shape tomorrow.”