Quality Petroleum Presents BP Fueling Communities Grant of $5,000 to South McKeel Academy
Lakeland, FL – (January 17, 2013) – Struggling readers at South McKeel Academy are getting a little help from Quality Petroleum Corporation and BP. Quality Petroleum Corporation, a BP Branded Marketer servicing BP stations throughout Florida and Alabama, will present a giant check to Principal Judi Morris and her South McKeel Academy students for the BP Fueling Communities Grant of $5,000 awarded to help the students who have not passed the reading portion of the FCAT. With this grant, South McKeel has been able to purchase 14 iPad Minis, a touch-screen tablet with wifi, and access to educational tools to engage students in reading.
Quality Petroleum, who nominated the school, will make the check presentation at 1:30pm on January 17 in the school’s cafeteria at 2222 S. Edgewood Drive, South Lakeland. A tour will follow for guests to see 5th grade students in action with the new iPad minis.
South McKeel Academy, an elementary/middle school in the McKeel charter schools system, is excited that the donation will help give students the tools they need to succeed in this fast-paced technology-based environment that includes testing online and reading computerized passages. One of the newest tools available is the iPad Minis that will engage students in reading and technology. Reading Resource Teacher Tara Dunsford will utilize the new iPads for her 5th & 6th graders who are working to improve their FCAT reading scores.
“These students are motivated to learn and deserve every opportunity that we can provide,” states Mr. Jason Rhoden of Quality Petroleum. “We believe strongly in the value of these efforts by Mrs. Tara Dunsford and South McKeel Academy, and we’re proud to be able to make an impact right here in our community through the BP Fueling Communities Grant.”
Mrs. Dunsford is providing Intensive Reading instruction to students who scored below 3 on the FCAT reading test. The 14 iPad Minis are a class set that allows students to interact with their reading and to construct meaning through the use of websites and applications. She is especially targeting the 5th & 6th graders. With the iPad Minis, students receive hands-on training and practice before their next state mandated FCAT exam.
The iPad Minis are cost effective at $309 each, and enhanced with a hard protective case for $22.50 each, the grant funding was enough to also include an additional $25 per iPad for applications. With a class set of 14 iPad Minis, Mrs. Dunsford's students will utilize the technology for not only reading but also internet research, cloud storage, and access to applications.
About BP’s Fueling Communities Program
The BP Fueling Communities program provides grants to local organizations that are nominated by BP’s Branded Marketers such as Quality Petroleum Corporation, to support the communities in which they do business. Fueling Communities gives back to local organizations that support health, education, youth, food and housing to spread charity and goodwill.
About Quality Petroleum Corporation
Mr. Ralph W. Weeks established Quality Petroleum in 1971 and they have offices in Lakeland on George Jenkins Blvd. With his son Steve Weeks who currently serves as the president of the company, they have retail/resale locations in Florida and Alabama. The family business also has a large base of commercial customers in the phosphate, citrus and industrial markets. Quality Petroleum is proud to help give back to the community along with BP and support the efforts of all teachers for stronger education in our schools. QUALITY PETROLEUM CORP would like to thank all the teachers for all that they do for the children.
About South McKeel Academy
Established as a start-up charter school in 2006, South McKeel Academy was initially an elementary school in a former skating rink and then expanded into the adjacent bowling alley when the middle school grades were added. Now with 1164 students and 104 staff, South McKeel is a high performing charter school and has achieved an A grade from the state every year except one when they slipped to a B. Under the direction of Principal Judi Morris, they strive to continue to increase the engagement of their students with advances in educational technology. The school is one of three campuses that make up The Schools of McKeel Academy, a high performing charter school system contracted with the Polk County School Board to provide public education in Lakeland, Florida.
