Framingham Public Schools
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Boot'em up By Charlie Breitrose/ Daily News Staff Wednesday, December 14, 2005 FRAMINGHAM -- The only computer Mali Rattler had at home did not work.. Now, thanks to a couple of Framingham High School science teachers, the FHS sophomore has the use of a retooled computer to write up her assignments. Rattler received one of about 40 computers that physics teacher Todd Witherow and bilingual/English-as-a-second-language science teacher Cynthia Villanueva put together for students who cannot afford them. Having access to a computer, free of charge, has been a big help for Rattler. "My grades have gone up and I have been able to type up my essays," Rattler said. Before receiving the computer, Rattler said she learned only basic computer skills at school, such as word processing, but she hopes to change that. "I am learning how to do (Microsoft) PowerPoint (to make slide show presentations)," Rattler said. Getting the chance to explore with a computer provides good experience for students, Witherow said. "We give them access to a computer so they can play with it," Witherow said. "That's how I learn how to use (computer programs)." By providing the machines, Villanueva said, she hopes to make the playing field more level. "You hear a lot about closing the achievement gap (for minority students), but you can't expect to close the gap if you don't provide them with the means," Villanueva said.. She has seen a remarkable change in the work turned in by the students in her class who received the computers. "Now they are giving PowerPoint projects instead of making posters," Villanueva said. "It's amazing how quickly they learn how to use it." Villanueva and Witherow started searching for computers independently, but when they found out they shared a cause they joined forces. The partnership has worked out well. Witherow worked with computers before he became a teacher, so he can set up the computers before delivering them to the students. Many of those who receive computers are immigrants who do not speak English, or only speak a little, so Villanueva's language skills come in handy. "We used to joke that Cynthia speaks foreign languages and I speak computer," Witherow said. Not just any student can receive the free PCs, Witherow said. "If we know a kid is working really hard and doesn't have a computer at her (or his) home and needs one, we will provide one," Witherow said. The teachers receive recommendations from teachers and guidance counselors for FHS students who would benefit from the program. "When we got their name, we called their home to make sure they don’t have a computer," Witherow said. The PCs provided to students are not straight from the computer store. Witherow and Villanueva find the computers through a state surplus site. Last year Witherow found more than 35 computers that had been used by the Department of Revenue and Villanueva got a couple from U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center at Natick -- formerly Natick Labs. "They are not high-end computers at all," Witherow said. "But they function for what they need." Students can run the programs needed for their homework, Witherow said, and can hook up to the Internet with a dial-up modem. Each computer comes equipped with an Intel Pentium III microprocessor and 256 megabytes of memory, and Witherow installs Microsoft Office, which includes programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The students also receive Flash memory drives, a small wand which they can plug into their computer, save their work and take it to school tothe FHS computers. The pair have lugged a lot of computer hardware over the last year or so, but they received a lot of financial help to get the program rolling. The Framingham Education Foundation gave the teachers $1,200 through the Thayer Technology Fund and Bose Corp. donated $800. Other contributors include Framingham attorney Donna Paruti, Witherow said. |
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