Our MiddleSchoolKidz host, Sheila D. Gatling participated as a Technology Teacher for Operation SNARK (Safety Net for At Risk Kids). SNARK was funded by the U. S. Department of Education as a 21st Century Community Learning Center project representing a consortium of Long Island school districts with a profile of high poverty and high immigrant populations, dense special education, and high crime populations: Westbury, Farmingdale, Amityville, Copiague and South Country. Amityville SNARK provided specialized academic, social, recreational and emotional support programs for middle school students. Students participated in after-school and Saturday programs to remediate deficiencies in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and to "bridge the digital divide" in Technology.
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About Amityville SNARK:
| Consortium Administrator: | Farmingdale UFSD (NY) |
| Amityville Site Coordinator: | Ina Cofield |
| Technology Teacher: | Sheila D. Gatling |
| Dates: | January 24-June 22, 2001 |
| Times: | Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday |
| Beginning: | January 24, 2001 |
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Location:
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Edwin
W. Miles Middle School Amityville, NY Computer Lab |
| Average Attendance: | 50 students (in 2-sessions) |
Goal:
To introduce the uses and benefits of computers and the internet to "at-risk"
middle school students ages 11-14.
Objectives:
- compare video game skills to technology skills
- develop technology vocabulary
- conduct hands-on basic computer literacy training (introduce file management and basic applications used for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations)
- use the internet to research topics of interest and homework assignments (browsers, search engines, e-mail)
- work cooperatively and peacefully in small groups
- participate in intergenerational group with senior citizens (with seniors sharing oral histories and youth teaching senior citizens computer skills)