Three New Computer Labs Open Thanks to Timothy Smith Network Donation

Thanks to a generous donation by the Timothy Smith Network, the Hale, Trotter and Blackstone schools have all opened brand new computer labs this year.  The Timothy Smith Network donated $25,000 to each of the schools to purchase the new computer equipment.  The Nathan Hale school installed a new lab that features a SMARTBoard with integrated projector and 17 new iMac desktop computers.  The Blackstone School purchased thin-client multi-seat computers to completely renew two computer labs.  They were also able to establish a "mini-lab" of six computers in their Parent Center, which allows parents access to technology for Parent University and Parent ESOL classes that are held at the school.  Director of Accelerated Improvement at the Blackstone, Lisa Lineweaver, said "We are very appreciative of this generous donation from the Timothy Smith Foundation and excited about the boost to learning and student engagement that is sparking at the Blackstone."

The Trotter Elementary school used the donation to purchase 25 brand new PC's for their computer lab.  They are very excited to use the new machines for research, developing podcasts, presentations and utilizing intervention programs such as First in Math and Reading Counts.  They are also confident that the new lab will help to increase participation in their Technology Goes Home program which is a city-wide program that provides families with 15 hours of technology skills training.  At the end of the training graduates can purchase a netbook at an incredibly low price as well as qualify for discounted internet access.  The computers that were in the Trotter lab before the donation were older had become unreliable, costing the students valuable learning time.

A fourth school, the Higginson-Lewis school, also received a Timothy Smith Grant.  They purchased a number of different interactive technologies for their classrooms, including Mobi mobile interactive whiteboards, document cameras and iPads.

The Boston Public Schools would like to thank the Timothy Smith Network and their executive director, Susan O'Connor, for their continued support of our students, families and schools.