Math department holds TI-83 raffle for charity

by Paula Bridger

Going once, twice, raffled! Flathead High’s math department is raffling off a TI-83 calculator so a student without a calculator may have the chance to own one. 

“I got the idea at parents night,” said math teacher Janet Kuchenbrod. “Parents asked if there was any extra funding for calculators for kids who didn’t have one.”

By selling raffle tickets the math department will give students the chance to win a calculator. Those in the community can buy a ticket in a student’s name or just donate money. Teachers are selling raffle tickets for $6. Leftover money from the raffle will go to buying calculators for needy students who can apply through the math department.

“It will be like a job application,” said Kuchenbrod. “(Students) need to do good on the applications so we know that they really need the calculators, and plan to use them.”

Math teachers are working hard to get teachers, community and other students  involved.  All the contributions will be for the calculators.

The first raffle will be held a few days before Thanksgiving break. This will aid the winning student to study over break and will be a great Christmas in November present, according to Kuchenbrod. 

“I thought it was a good idea because I could get a calculator for a dollar,” said junior Evangeline Klang who plans to enter the raffle. “The raffle would help other people who can’t afford it to get a calculator.”

English teacher George Cowan believes that this project is a great way to take the chance and win. There is no other department that would be better to sponser for a raffle than the math department, he said. They are the ones with the skills to figure the odds and percentages of winning.

Said Cowan:

“I think it’s great that they offer calculators for a cheaper prices.”