You Have a Voice! Calypso Sounds call for 2011 Be Heard School Grant Applications

Apply Mar 7 – June 10 to be awarded one campus grant, or one of three grade level grants, of portable classroom voice amplification systems courtesy of the Calypso School First Foundation

Calypso Systems, a leading developer of multimedia technology solutions for K-12 classrooms, announced its call for entries in the 2011 Be Heard School Grant program, which awards classroom voice amplification systems to K-12 institutions.

Recognizing the importance of hearing and being heard in the classroom, the Be Heard School Grant program was established in 2009 by the Calypso School First Foundation (CSFF).
In the last two years, the Be Heard School Grant program awarded more than $240,000 worth of classroom voice amplification equipment to schools in six states. With school budgets tightening and classroom audio needs still under served in a majority of districts, Calypso will again provide classroom voice amplification equipment to K-12 institutions under the Be Heard School Grant.

“The response to the Be Heard Grant last year exceeded our inaugural year and we continue to be strong advocates for voice amplification in the classroom,” said David H. Parish, Ph.D., president of Calypso Systems. “Research suggests it is perhaps the simplest and most cost-efficient way to improve teaching and learning, and we are proud to continue the Be Heard School Grant program again in 2011.”

A growing portfolio of independent research supports the performance improvements in classrooms where voice amplification systems are used, including improved attention, increased motivation and fewer special education referrals.  As a former university professor, Dr. Parish recognizes the value of teaching and learning and how voice amplification can help all students.  “There is a large body of independent research showing the effectiveness of classroom voice amplification, including Mainstream Amplifications Resource Room Study (MARRS) that began in 1979 and continuing in various forms through today,” Parish said.

The 2011 edition of the grant will focus on portable voice amplification.  Portable systems allow teachers and students to experience the benefit of voice amplification, without having a system permanently installed in a specific classroom.  In this manner a system can be shared amongst teachers, classroom specialists, and other educational professionals to help students learn more effectively.

This year four schools will receive SoundPost portable voice amplification systems through the Be Heard Grant.  One school will receive a campus grant of 30 systems, while the other three schools will receive a grade level grant of three systems each.

Applications will be accepted between March 7 and June 10, 2011, with winners announced in June. For more information about the Calypso School First Foundation and to apply on-line for the Be Heard School Grant, please visit http://www.calypsosystems.com/grant-apps.

About Calypso
Calypso Systems, headquartered in Woodbury, MN, is a manufacturer of a full range of open architecture control, user interface, audio, microphone and connectivity products designed to create integrated classroom solutions for teachers, students and administrators. Calypso products are sold exclusively through commercial audio-video electronics dealers throughout North America and around the world.

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