Gilroy
– Luigi Aprea Elementary School students on Monday will be
working in a computer lab that was more than a year in the
making.
Parents at the school thought the lab for their first- through
third-graders was inadequate.
By Lori Stuenkel
Gilroy – Luigi Aprea Elementary School students on Monday will be working in a computer lab that was more than a year in the making.
Parents at the school thought the lab for their first- through third-graders was inadequate.
The 20-year-old computers in the lab, which was previously used as a classroom, were not connected to the Internet or even a printer.
“We were really limited to what we could do with them,” said Diane Rocha, a school parent who works in the computer lab.
Students were able to practice keyboarding skills and used learning software programs in subjects including reading, math, science and music.
So the parents volunteered their time and labor to make what Rocha estimates is a $15,000 investment into the lab, from providing services to soliciting donations of equipment.
Parent Lydia Chillman, who used to live in Silicon Valley, told other parents that corporate donations were the key. She spearheaded a fruitful effort to get a donation of 22 computers from SGI, or Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Parent Kevin Stone and several others donated a server to the lab and installed the network themselves.
“Using a free Linux Operating System and free software, Kevin and his friends set up the lab with programs for writing, spreadsheets, typing and web browsing,” Rocha said.
Now, the students can use the computer lab for much more than keyboarding and using educational software.
They can print out writing samples, from letters to poems, and pictures they create using art programs.
Rocha said she has been working with staff to ensure the students’ activities in the lab support what’s being taught in the classroom.
“It will enhance what they’re learning in the classroom with Web pages, path programs, geography programs, and other programs,” Rocha said. “They’re also now able to use the Internet as a learning tool and go to specific learning sites to develop math skills, reading skills, writing skills.”
Some of those Web sites offer virtual field trips to educational locations like museums or zoos, or supplement the textbooks students use in class.
Rocha credited Luigi parents with providing students a state-of-the-art learning environment.
“We often hear how parents, and the greater community don’t take the extra step to make a difference in the lives of our future leaders,” Rocha said. “Its heartwarming to see so many people come together and make a difference. Not because there’s money to be made, but because its benefits the community.”
Donation list
The Gilroy Unified School District Board of Trustees recently accepted $15,762.68 in donations to Gilroy High School’s Associated Student Body. Among the 27 donations were:
$2,000 from the Gilroy Gang and Drug Abuse Task Force and Gilroy Rotary Club Endowment
$1,500 from Calpine Corporation and Gilroy Gang and Drug Abuse Task Force
$1,103 from California Future Farmers of America Foundation
$1,000 from Wells Fargo Foundation; Gilroy Rotary Club Endowment; and Resources for Families and Communities
$570 from RFC
$500 from Sicard Construction and Gilroy Rotary Club
