Home » News » Education
February 12. 2013 11:35PM
MANCHESTER - While city school officials have relied on donations to equip high school computer labs, they have been less successful in securing the volunteers needed to operate the labs on a daily basis.
As of Tuesday, only one volunteer has committed to staff one of the "blended learning labs" that's opened at each of the city's three high schools, said Assistant Superintendent Michael Tursi.
The volunteers are key to Mayor Ted Gatsas' drive to modernize city schools by making online courses available to middle and high school students. Students can access the online courses through any computer hookup, but Gatsas has pushed to open a blended learning lab at each high school.
Three area companies - The Scrivanos Group, Quirk Auto Dealers and Dyn - have donated $35,000, which allowed the school district to equip the labs in the three high schools. Two weeks ago, Gatsas lauded the donors at a ceremony held at the West High School lab.
Gatsas said Monday that discussions are under way with a company - he would not name it - that is encouraging its workers to volunteer in the labs.
"I've had several phone calls from people interested in volunteering," Tursi said last week. "I'm optimistic. People need time to process the information, look at their schedules and see if it's feasible."
Tursi said he wants the labs open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekday. He'd like to have two or three volunteers for each high school. Ideally, the same group of volunteers would be on hand for consistency's sake, he said.
Volunteers are needed to monitor the students, to ensure safety, and to address any technical issues that may arise, Tursi said. Volunteers will not teach classes or have anything to do with the coursework. Nor would they be expected to quell any student conflicts, he said.
Every volunteer must attend a two-day training session put on by Virtual Learning Academy Charter School, which provides the online courses to the students. Tursi said he wants three volunteers signed up before the workshop is held.
School district policy requires any volunteer to undergo a criminal background check and pay a $25 fee to be fingerprinted. Gatsas said funds left over from the donations will pay for the fingerprinting.
Tursi said most of the people who contacted him about volunteering have technical skills.
mhayward@unionleader.com
Manchester school computer labs still missing volunteers
As of Tuesday, only one volunteer has committed to staff one of the "blended learning labs" that's opened at each of the city's three high schools, said Assistant Superintendent Michael Tursi.
The volunteers are key to Mayor Ted Gatsas' drive to modernize city schools by making online courses available to middle and high school students. Students can access the online courses through any computer hookup, but Gatsas has pushed to open a blended learning lab at each high school.
Three area companies - The Scrivanos Group, Quirk Auto Dealers and Dyn - have donated $35,000, which allowed the school district to equip the labs in the three high schools. Two weeks ago, Gatsas lauded the donors at a ceremony held at the West High School lab.
Gatsas said Monday that discussions are under way with a company - he would not name it - that is encouraging its workers to volunteer in the labs.
"I've had several phone calls from people interested in volunteering," Tursi said last week. "I'm optimistic. People need time to process the information, look at their schedules and see if it's feasible."
Tursi said he wants the labs open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every weekday. He'd like to have two or three volunteers for each high school. Ideally, the same group of volunteers would be on hand for consistency's sake, he said.
Volunteers are needed to monitor the students, to ensure safety, and to address any technical issues that may arise, Tursi said. Volunteers will not teach classes or have anything to do with the coursework. Nor would they be expected to quell any student conflicts, he said.
Every volunteer must attend a two-day training session put on by Virtual Learning Academy Charter School, which provides the online courses to the students. Tursi said he wants three volunteers signed up before the workshop is held.
School district policy requires any volunteer to undergo a criminal background check and pay a $25 fee to be fingerprinted. Gatsas said funds left over from the donations will pay for the fingerprinting.
Tursi said most of the people who contacted him about volunteering have technical skills.
mhayward@unionleader.com
- Monarchs roll up their sleeves for Game 4 - 0
- Jones, Monarchs stay alive with Game 3 win - 0
- Monarchs in must-win situation Thursday night in Manchester - 0
- Second close loss in two days puts Monarchs in 0-2 playoff hole - 0
- Monarchs edged in overtime in playoff opener - 0
- Allen Lessels' On Hockey: Trying to stay on a roll - 1
- Monarchs complete amazing late-season surge to clinch playoff spot - 1
- Monarchs vault into playoff position - 0
- On Hockey: Monarchs need one final playoff push - 0
Allen Lessels' On Hockey: 'Bittersweet' ending for Monarchs
READER COMMENTS: 0- Nashua couple's deaths called suspicious - 0
- American Medical Response back in good graces of key Manchester officials - 0
- Lebanon’s Colette Schmidt captures N.E. girls’ golf tourney crown - 0
- Sixteen make cut at State Am qualifying - 0
- Granite Stater Matt Bonner in position for another NBA title - 0
- Clippers, Celtics resume talks on Doc, Garnett deal - 0
- Hampton man indicted for distributing child porn - 0
- Mother of drowned baby gets prison time - 0
- Children hurt when tire swings falls in Manchester playground - 0
Storms knock out power to about 3,600 PSNH customers
READER COMMENTS: 0| Follow us: | ||
 |
 |
 |
- Should schools do more to police food and beverages consumed at school?
- Yes
- 29%
- No
- 71%
- Total Votes: 112