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» Umbrella Program
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Courtis School Computer Program and Hands-On Laboratories
The Renaissance Chapter of The Links, Inc. utilizes the “Umbrella Program” approach as a positive, expedient, and beneficial way to facilitate good program management, set goals, and chart positive results from the time and effort given to serving our community. We employ this concept in creating, developing, delivering, and maintaining various programs at Courtis Elementary School in the city of Detroit. One of our programs and major accomplishments using this approach is the continuous, on-site computer program and hands-on laboratories we provide for students, teachers, and parents at Courtis School.
Studies show students usually learn more, and learn more rapidly in classes when they have access to computers and when they can apply that capability to their studies, to their research, and to their curricula. Student learning improves and so does information processing and reading comprehension. The Renaissance Chapter recognized that the lack of computers at Courtis School severely isolated students from their peers in majority schools nationwide limiting both their access and participation on the Internet and slowing the results of standard educational progress because the educational objectives were not enhanced by the observed benefits of using computers. We knew the consistent and customary exposure to computers and related information would only enhance the overall educational experience for students at Courtis School.
At the beginning of the 2004 school year, the Renaissance Chapter established a computer program and laboratory providing students at Courtis with access to this technology. The initial laboratory consisted of 36-state-of-the-art computers, a resource room and a paid certified instructor. With monies contributed by each Chapter member and several fundraisers, we prepared the room --- paint, window treatments, security windows/doors, and the art; followed by the purchase of flat screen computers, computer desks, and mouse pads. The computer program and hands-on laboratory served 600 students Monday through Saturday during that school year and throughout the summer.
In April 2006, the Renaissance Chapter continued to maintain their commitment to improving overall education for students and for the community at Courtis School. In partnership with Lear Corporation and a donation from AT&T, the Chapter expanded their computer program at the school and added a second hands-on fully-equipped computer laboratory. Now, the Renaissance Computer Program at Courtis, newly expanded with brand new computers and the latest software, serves 1200 students and their parents daily and on the weekend.
Our award-winning computer program has also provided the opportunity for Courtis School to be one of only nine schools in the entire Metro Detroit Area chosen to participate in an innovative, revolutionary educational program sponsored by the learning center, Experiencia. This renowned program includes exciting classroom curriculum, teacher training, parent involvement and all day simulations in a Disneyesque learning laboratory where students learn by doing.
Teachers at Courtis confirm that the computer program and hands-on laboratories enable students to develop and practice technology skills essential to their future success. The school has also received visits from many other schools in the Detroit Public Schools System to view the computer program and labs. Through our efforts, the Detroit Board of Education was encouraged to commit financially to an initial three-year agreement to ensure proper cooling, security and other items associated with the upkeep of the high-end computer equipment.
In addition, we provided computer training classes for parents at Courtis to help demystify the computer and to assist them in enhancing their computer skills. We filled two computer training classes which will conclude by year’s end when the series will be offered again. The Renaissance Chapter has also taken proactive measures to increase parent participation at the school and especially at regular Parent-Teacher Association meetings. Through our focus and efforts attendance has increased by 64%.
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