Scotiabank Funds 25K TuneIn to Reading Lab

Freeport, Grand Bahama, May 26, 2016 – Scotiabank has invested $25,000 to establish a TuneIn to Reading (TiR) lab at Freeport Primary School in keeping with its commitment to helping young people become better off.

“Through Scotiabank’s global community investment strategy, we are proud to work alongside Mission Educate Bahamas to assist students in achieving their full academic potential and are delighted to know that the Scotiabank TuneIn to Reading Lab will help Freeport Primary School to forward the development of new technologies available to its 600 students,” said Gregory Stuart, Group Head, Corporate and Commercial Banking, Scotiabank.

Freeport Primary School is a public elementary school on Grand Bahama Island. The computer lab at the school is newly refurbished and now features 40 laptops and headsets with complete access to the TiR program, full time support and maintenance, electronic student monitoring and support and teacher training courtesy of Scotiabank.

“We, at Mission: Educate Bahamas salute Scotiabank as a socially responsible company with a resolute commitment to the Bahamian community. We are excited to work with an organization that shares our passion for education and believes in creating opportunities for our youth to achieve their full potential,” said Yolanda Pawar, Marketing Manager, Mission Educate Bahamas.

“I have seen this in action and the enthusiasm of the children as they use the TIR programme. Students who were way behind grade level for reading have not just caught up, but in some instances, have exceeded their grade level; but most importantly, they have developed a love for reading,” said Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology.

The new Lab, donated by Scotiabank, will allow students to improve their reading skills through the combination of traditional education and cutting-edge technology better preparing them to take on the rigorous academic challenges of high school. Scotiabank employees are set to volunteer at summer workshops and related TuneIn to Reading events.

“Literacy is essential to progress and the integration of technology within the traditional classroom setting is most appropriate for this generation. The use of engaging musical activities through TuneIn to Reading can only enhance reading capabilities,” Stuart continued.

“We anticipate that many lives will be positively impacted in the coming years through the dedicated teachers who will guide students on an amazing academic adventure through TuneIn to Reading here at Freeport Primary School and Scotiabank is proud to be a part of the equation,” Stuart concluded.

“Tune Into Reading” also referred to, as TiR™ is an innovative, award winning, scientific teaching resource. This, internet-based computer program uses musical exercises to help students of all ages and academic backgrounds improve their reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and word sight recognition skills.

Utilizing the science of “melodic learning” the program is designed to help students of all ages and reading levels improve their reading skills through a revolutionary technique that taps into the brain’s unique ability to process information through music.

“Tune Into Reading,” has been studied extensively in South Florida, and has been the subject of several Academic Dissertations. Independent studies have documented the program’s success at consistently delivering reading gains of 1.5 years, among various student test groups. Even more impressive, these gains are experienced after only 9-12 weeks of student-exposure to the program, delivered in three, thirty-minute weekly sessions.

Mission Educate Bahamas is a locally registered, Not-For-Profit Organization. It was founded by Alexis Tsavoussis and Paul Tsavoussis and was initially funded by Wendy’s, and Marco’s Pizza in The Bahamas.

It is the goal of “Mission: Educate Bahamas” to provide the key tools, and training necessary to effect change, and bring renewed hope and resources to our country’s deserving students, and educators.

“TuneIn to Reading” is the organization’s break-through literacy program, and the first of several technology-based education initiatives planned. Through a serendipitous chain of events Alexis and Paul Tsavoussis were introduced to “TuneIn to Reading” in the United States. They immediately recognized the value this literacy-enhancing tool could have for students and struggling readers in The Bahamas. Launching TiR™ in The Bahamas became a priority.

The Bahamas’ Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has responsibility for more than 50,000 K-12 students in approximately 170 educational institutions in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, which are dispersed over 14 districts in the major islands. Our goal is to increase the graduation rate from 50% to 80% by 2030. The MoEST aims to create an educational system that is technologically sound and competitive and that develops the strengths of each child, whether academic or otherwise, towards the maximum contribution that he/she is able to make to the national development of The Bahamas.

Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of $920 billion (as at January 31, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

Minister of Education with Scotiabank Executives, Freeport Primary Principal and Mission Educate representative at the Lab opening. (l to r) Bruno Styles, Branch Manager, Scotiabank Freeport; Gregory Stuart, Group Head, Corporate and Commercial Banking, Scotiabank; Barbara Thompson, Principal, Freeport Primary School; Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology; and Yolanda Pawar, Marketing Manager, Mission Educate Bahamas.

Students at work (L to R): Bruno Styles, Branch Manager, Scotiabank Freeport; Barbara Thompson, Principal, Freeport Primary School; Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology and Gregory Stuart, Group Head, Corporate and Commercial Banking, Scotiabank look on as students in the new Lab use TiR.

Freeport Primary School Choir performs during a special assembly at Freeport Primary School.

The award-winning (National Arts Festival) All-Boys Choir of Freeport Primary School sings during a special assembly to mark the opening of the Lab.

Scotiabank executives look on as students engage in TiR lessons (L to R): Bruno Styles, Branch Manager, Scotiabank Freeport; and Gregory Stuart, Group Head, Corporate and Commercial Banking, Scotiabank look on as students try out the internet-based computer program in the new lab funded by the Bank.

Students at Freeport Primary School sit, listening attentively, during a special ceremony to mark the opening of the lab. The school’s student population is 600 plus.
 

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Maxine Seymour
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