REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — Many of us take our phones and tablets for granted. But for some children, having their own device is a luxury.

What You Need To Know

  • United Way of Central Ohio in partnership with Parichute donated 430 tablets to third graders at Slate Ridge Elementary School

  • The tablets are meant to close the technology gap, while giving kids the tools they need to succeed

  • United Way says the tablets also prepare kids for the future

That’s why United Way of Central Ohio teamed up with Parichute to help students in one Ohio school district.

It’s not often a 9-year-old gets a burst of energy after ripping open a tablet, but Killian Burkheimer is one of the third graders here at Slate Ridge Elementary School receiving one of the 430 tablets from United Way of Central Ohio.

“I’m very excited. This is a new tablet to learn and have fun with games,” he said.

Vice President of Success by Third Grade Cheryl Wyatt says this isn’t just about handing out devices. It’s about closing the technology gap and giving kids the tools they need to succeed.

“One of the areas of need was that young people did not have access to devices at home,” Wyatt said. “That becomes very important in practice in preparing for the third grade proficiency because that additional support, that additional help, those additional tutorial programs are necessary.”

Wyatt said third grade is a turning point in a child’s education.

“If they do not secure those literacy skills and those language skills,” she explained. “By the time that they’re third grade, it makes it very difficult as they transition the fourth grade because not fourth grade, they’re reading to learn. So fundamentally, building these skills between kindergarten and third grade is so important.”

Providing these devices to learn and grow also opens doors for these kids.

“It increases graduation, and it gives opportunity for other workforce development,” Wyatt said. “Whether that’s a four-year college, whether that’s a technical school. These are young people who will be ready for the workforce.”

It’s giving parents, like Killian’s, one less thing to worry about.

“A lot of times, you’re alone as a parent,” Katie Burkheimer said. “To know that there are organizations out there that care enough and would provide that it makes a world of difference. It makes me believe that there are good people out there.”