The Fund-a-Need Drive

We will add a new feature to the 2007-08 Gala: the Fund-a-Need. A fund-a-need targets a particular area of program that requires a concentrated effort beyond the operating budget. The need won’t come as a surprise, particularly to the coaches of the robotics team who have made do with our very few functioning laptops mostly by loaning us theirs. This year’s need is technology (and math).

Our hope for the next school year is to have a more fully functioning computing environment on campus. What that means is that we would like to have:

• A fully-outfitted laptop cart. A laptop cart is a cart, typically with a built-in power strip, that holds a full classroom set of laptops. The cart can move from room to room and the entire cart can be plugged in so that laptops are kept charged and ready for use. In the best-case scenario, we would like 16 new laptops or perhaps two carts of refurbished laptops.
• Computer projection units — one for each of the middle school classrooms
• Computer interface units — these units, made by Vernier Scientific, connect computers to scientific instruments (probes)
• Probes — my personal favorites are the temperature, motion detector and light sensors although there are many more — a heart rate monitor anyone? We would add to our collection each year. The motion detectors, in particular, provide algebra students with an opportunity to understand coordinate systems and the meaning of slope and intercept by physically experiencing them and comparing their motions to graphs that are created as they move. Walking or running in a line will have new meaning with a motion detector and graphing software. While a student’s early experiences with data-taking should not be with probes and software, using a probe and graphing software can enhance and illuminate concepts related to graphing and measurement for students who have mastered the basics.
• New faculty computers — four faculty computers died (all of the same vintage) this past year. We own six additional computers of the same vintage. It makes sense to plan to replace computers on a three or four-year cycle, and middle school faculty, in particular, would benefit from having the same laptops that the middle school students will be using.
• Network and phone brought down to Windsor House.

In addition to enhancing our computing environment, we also intend to upgrade our math program in the lower school. Recall that we are adding a new math program next year — the University of Chicago Everyday Math. Our teachers have requested professional development, and there are required classroom materials to be purchased.

The total amount needed for technology and math upgrades ranges from $35,000 to $45,000 depending upon whether we purchase new or refurbished laptops and whether we outfit one cart or two. Any way you slice it, improving our math and technology programs are essential to providing our girls with the experiences they need to be superstars!

Lisa K. Schmitt
Head of School