MEDIA — The Rotary Foundation of Media recently awarded a grant to Brain Tree School in Kampala, Uganda, to replace 10-year-old computers for a student computer lab. The $9,063 grant was made possible by a foundation grant of $4,500, which was matched by generous contributions by the club’s members.
“With an upgraded fully functioning computer lab, and with Wi-Fi in place, everyone is excited to resume learning regularly,” said Martha Mukasa, head of school. “We have a total of 26 functional workstations and have also been able to create a small area with five workstations for the teachers so that they don’t inconvenience the children’s computer lab usage.”
In 2013, the Rotary Club of Media, in partnership with the Kampala North Rotary Club, was able to secure a Rotary International Global Grant for $67,000 that provided a new well, toilets and showers for the school’s dormitories, a pavilion so students could eat lunch under a roof, and the original computer lab. Rotarians Jeffry Cadorette and Larry Smoose traveled to the school to dedicate those facilities and had an opportunity to meet the students and faculty.
This latest grant helped to replace those old computers, many of which, being older than a decade, no longer functioned.
Mwijukye Eriot, a student at Brain Tree, expressed what many students felt when he wrote a thank-you note to the club.
“Since our ICT laboratory was upgraded, we have been excitingly waiting to go there and explore it,” he wrote. “When my eyes landed on the newly upgraded ICT laboratory, I felt so amazed, inspired to do the work … We are proudly saying thank you for fundraising for the upgrade of our ICT laboratory.”
“With thanks like these, the club is encouraged to continue to do good in our community and across the globe, fulfilling the Rotary motto, ‘Service above Self,’ ” Smoose said.
To learn more about Rotary and the Rotary Club of Media, and how to become a member, go to www.mediarotary.org or visit one of the club meetings at noon every Thursday at Margaret Kuo’s Kitchen in Granite Run.
Southeast Delco receives 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Award
The Southeast Delco School District will receive $598,780 per year for the next five years through the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Award.
The grant provides federal funding for school districts in Pennsylvania to establish community learning centers to provide academic, artistic, and cultural enrichment opportunities for students and their families.
The district’s After School Enrichment Program has enrolled students in grades 1-5 and is projected to serve 235 students per year. The district has funded the program to date, and it will now be funded through the new grant.
Similarly, the Summer Enrichment Program at Darby Township School will be paid for by the 21st CCLC grant.
“We are honored and excited to be recipients of this highly competitive grant,” said Superintendent Dr. Yamil Sanchez Rivera. “The funding we will receive through this grant will allow us to provide much-needed enrichment and academic support for our students and their families. The impact of this grant will be far-reaching across our entire district for many years to come.”
The program will take place Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Students will begin with a snack and one hour of homework help or computer enrichment, followed by rotations in STEM, reading, math, social-emotional learning and computer activities. The program will conclude with enrichment options, including arts and crafts, games, independent reading, and physical fitness.
“Studies show that students who are engaged in a 21st CCLC program demonstrate improved attendance, increased class participation, better behavior, and increased academic performance,” said Leanne Hudson, 21st CCLC administrator for Southeast Delco. “We believe that this investment in our students and families will lead to students who are more engaged, excited to learn, and ready to achieve in school.”
For more information about the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Award, visitwww.education.pa.gov/K12/21st%20Century%20Community%20Learning%20Centers/Pages/default.aspx.
Knight At The Museum to benefit St. Thomas The Apostle School
St. Thomas The Apostle School in Chester Heights will host Knight At The Museum Gala at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington.
Entrance is 6 p.m. for VIP admission. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For tickets or for more information, email Development@STAGlenMills.org or call the school at 610-459-8134.
Learn the Irish jig in time for St. Paddy’s Day
People who want to wow their favorite lads and lassies with an authentic Irish jig this St. Patrick’s Day are invited to sign up to learn some dance moves with former professional Irish dancer, Nikki Corinne Thomas on Saturday, March 15 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Park Avenue Communit Center, 129 Park Ave., Swarthmore.
The two-hour workshop will teach the basics of Irish step dance and some fun choreography, as well as give participants a decent workout.
No previous dance experience or special shoes are necessary. This class is suitable for older teens and adults.
Afterwards, everyone can enjoy some Irish treats to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.
The cost is $30. To register, go to https://thepac.center/events/irish-dance-workshop-03-15-2025.
Year-round inspections of motorcycles now permitted in Pennsylvania
PennDOT says motorcycles may now be inspected year-round.
Prior to Act 149 going into effect on Jan.17, motorcycle inspections could only occur between March and October each year. The new law allows motorcycles to be inspected year-round, like passenger vehicles.
“Allowing year-round registration of motorcycles gives motorcyclists more latitude to schedule their inspections when it’s convenient for them,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. “This new law will help give motorcyclists more options to keep their vehicles road ready.”
Motorcycles must be inspected annually, and once a motorcycle passes inspection, the owner will receive a safety inspection sticker valid for one year from the expiration of the sticker being replaced. A safety inspection sticker for a motorcycle may not be issued for more than 15 months from the month of inspection.
With nearly 355,000 motorcycles registered in Pennsylvania, PennDOT encourages all road users to share the road responsibly. By avoiding aggressive behavior, following traffic laws, being courteous and using common sense, motorcyclists and motorists can work together to keep everyone safe. For more information on motorcycles and motorcycle safety, visit www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/motorcyclists/motorcycle-safety.html.
Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
Those who may have plans to travel by domestic aircraft on or after May 7 are reminded that they will need a REAL ID-compliant product or other federally-accepted form of identification when they do, and time is running out to prepare.
Visit http://www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID for information on how to get a REAL-ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card.
Media to hold spring wreath making class
The Media Recreation Board hosts Maker Mondays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month in the Parlor Room of Media Borough Hall.
On Monday, March 17, the board will host a Spring Wreath Making Class. Cost is free for Media residents and $10 for nonresidents. All ages are welcome, but all children must be accompanied by adults.
To register: https://mediaborough.recdesk.com.
PAWS announces Match Madness adoption promo for cats and dogs
This March, excitement isn’t just for the basketball court, there’s an adoptable pet waiting to be your MVP.
The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society is holding Match Madness, an adoption promotion running through Sunday, March 9.
PAWS’ shelters are full, and with so many pets waiting for a home, adopters can name their own adoption fee and bring home a cat or dog.
Even better, every adoption opens space for PAWS to rescue another pet in need. There’s a match out there for everyone.
PAWS saves thousands of at-risk pets each year who have nowhere else to go.
During Match Madness, adopters can name their fee for qualifying cats and dogs, those with longer stays or special needs, such as manageable age-related conditions, daily medication routines, or preferences for being the only pet.
These animals are looking for the loving homes they deserve, and they have so much to give in return. Match Madness aims to celebrate these cats and dogs, match them with the right adopters, and create space for more animals who are waiting for the same chance.
“Finding the right match is about more than just bringing home a pet, it’s about creating a lifelong bond,” says Tammy Miller, PAWS’ senior adoption and foster manager.
For more about PAWS’ adoption process, including Match Madness animals — marked with a Match Madness logo — visit http://phillypaws.org.
PAWS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it.
Alongside rescue and adoption efforts, PAWS supports pet owners through vital programs such as affordable veterinary care at its two clinics, a pet food pantry, behavioral and training resources, and a safety net foster program that provides temporary housing for pets while their owners navigate periods of transition.
Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make the Philadelphia area a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home. To learn more, visit www.philllypaws.org.
Readers can send community news and related photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.
