Sound System

River Road Elementary School/El Camino del Rio

River Road/El Camino del Rio Elementary School has a student population of over 325 students. We have an extreme need for a permanent sound-music system that could serve the school in many ways. The Physical Education teacher teaches 12 groups a day without a voice assist. A microphone headset is needed for voice preservation and so directions can be amplified. A music system installed in the gym could also be used more flexibly and be highly functional on days when PE is not scheduled.

Our current practice is to have the custodian set up a portable system, which adds more preparation time and requires dedicated time from our custodian taking him away from other duties. The proposed sound system would be used for many occasions, such as, assemblies, musical programs, plays, guest speakers, EBS student awards, 5th grade graduation, parent nights, movie night, fund raisers and other school or community gatherings. This addition would add a larger (than the cafeteria) available space for school-wide activities and lend itself to more spontaneous activities.

Why is this project important?

The system would allow for a healthier PE teacher that could preserve his or her voice by the end of the day. It would eliminate the custodial time the building needs for set-up. The system would produce higher quality and more permanent sound options for many years to come. Further the quality of assemblies and other events such as school dances would be enhanced.

Who would be served?

The entire school would benefit in the areas of PE, music, assemblies and community events.

How will you evaluate the success of this project?

Having a permanent sound system would allow the school to schedule more activities. The school will be able to document the increase in activities. We will also be able to note the diminished time the school pulls the custodian to do large event setup. Noting the increase in events we are able to plan in gym area can be documented. Finally, there will be fewer days that the PE teacher has a sore throat or lost voice by the end of each week.

Does this proposal build upon existing programs?

There is no permanent sound system at all that can accommodate a microphone head-set system. We currently have a small portable system. Two high quality speakers and brackets have been donated and could be integrated into a larger more permanent system.

How will the funds be spent?

Microphone and headset; Sound System.