Extreme Makeover Builds School…Hatch Technology Builds Students

When the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team needed the nation’s premier total classroom solutions supplier to help rebuild a preschool for an upcoming episode, we were so excited they turned to Hatch Early Learning! Little did we know just how special this opportunity was going to become.

After the devastating flood in May 2010, much of “Music City” was left under water. Although eight of the buildings at The Lighthouse School were damaged beyond repair, the Sweatt family who operates the school provided shelter, food, water, clothing, counseling and myriad social and financial services to the community recovery effort. It was amazing to see the community of Nashville, TN come together to help rebuild this school and we recently received this very kind letter from Mrs. Janice Fagan, the Preschool Director.  Allow me to share her letter with you.

Marcy Daniel:

I would love to share our story.

In about the mid-ninety’s our high school upgraded their computer lab and donated really old dinosaur computers to our preschool.  We were able to put a couple of games on them for the K4’s, but nothing really educational. However, we were thankful for what we had. Then came the devastating floods of 2010 in Nashville that completely wiped out all the K4 buildings and we lost all our teaching tools and toys – we lost everything.

We were so blessed and thankful that Extreme Makeover chose to rebuild our preschool! That was a huge blessing, but the technology that HATCH installed in our classrooms is simply amazing. Four of our preschool classrooms have iStart Smart computers.  It is so child-friendly – just by recognizing a photo of themselves they touch the screen with their fingertip and the fun begins.  Through games and themes the children are having fun while the technology monitors and captures data on how the children are progressing in core skill areas.

H  -  Honored us by providing the best for our preschoolers
A  -  Allowed us to have the state of the art technology
T  -  Trained our teachers – and return to our school whenever we need them
C  -  Challenged our teachers and preschoolers to engage in learning
H  -  Hands on learning for the students

We will forever be grateful for what you have given to us.  Attached are some comments from our teachers and students.

Mrs. Janice Fagan
Preschool Director

“I love computer time.  It is fun!  I get to do letters, numbers, shapes and blocks. ”
Kalia Warner-Dalton, Preschool Student

“Thank you so much for the amazing computer programs.  Our children have benefited in so many ways.  Some students have struggled with our traditional seat work but when we give them the opportunity to develop a skill using the Hatch programs they have been able to do it.  At the beginning of the year, we had a student who would not put his work on paper.  He knew the information but had a hard time putting what he knew on the worksheets.  We were able to use the Hatch computer to determine what he knew and to give him a means to express that knowledge.  Thank you for creating and sharing such an amazing program.”
Mrs. Laura Price (K4 Preschool Teacher)

“iStartSmart by Hatch is a child friendly user program.  It’s very helpful that the child can go to the computer, find their picture and operate the system.  The programs reinforce what is being taught in the classroom.  We are very thankful for Hatch.”
Mrs. Rachel Demaree (K4 Preschool Teacher)

“I am very grateful to Hatch for everything they have done for us here at Lighthouse Christian Preschool.  The computers with the fun teaching programs, and the ability to use it as a DVD player is a huge blessing. Pam, the support person who trained us was great!  She was very personable and knowledgeable and we always have a great time while we are learning. There are so many wonderful toys and teaching aids for the children to enjoy. Even the shelves, tables and chairs are from Hatch.  We have been truly blessed by your generosity.  We will continue to use it all to bless and teach many more children for many years to come!”
Ms. Pam Champa (K4 Teacher)

“The Hatch program has been such a wonderful tool for our classroom.  We love that it is easy for the children to use, learn, and have fun all at the same time.  Because of the Hatch program ‘Start Smart’ we have seen a huge improvement in the areas of phonics, math, and basic computer skills.  Thank you so much Hatch, for helping us ‘start smart!’”
Ms. Lacey Ivens (K4 Teacher)