Apple Computer Honors Jefferson Elementary

Jefferson Elementary School has been in the forefront of the technological revolution since 1908 - when its classrooms boasted light bulbs.

Almost 90 years later, Jefferson is still a leading light among schools when it comes to technology.

For that reason, the Apple Computer Co. named Jefferson an “Apple Distinguished School” in February.

Jefferson is one of 100 K-12 schools nationwide selected by Apple for the award, which honors excellence and leadership in the use of technology in the classroom.

The award brings with it an opportunity for teachers and students to test new Apple hardware and software applications and for Jefferson to serve as a model site for schools interested in upgrading their technology programs.

Jefferson Principal Mary-Dean Wooley said the school has a long history of making technology a priority.

Since 1992, teachers and parents have pitched in to help students become proficient and comfortable with new technologies.

“We have two parents here all the time,” said Wooley, referring to volunteers Martha Ahrens and Stuart Hart. “Our right-brain parent and our left-brain parent.”

“Stuart reads the manuals, and Martha thinks of some wonderfully creative ways to approach a problem,” Wooley said.

This year, Ahrens and Hart are often found in Mary Frank’s fourth- and fifth-grade combination class.

Step into Frank’s classroom, and it’s easy to see why Jefferson is a recipient of the Apple award.

This year, each student in Frank’s class created book-length reports on Asia and Washington State.

For fifth-grader Colin Snowder, using books, maps and online encyclopedias to gather research is as easy as bouncing a ball or clicking a mouse.

On Monday, Frank gave students their new assignment: Make the continent of Africa come alive. Draw maps, describe its geographic features, and write about its peoples and customs.

Within minutes of being given the assignment, students divided into groups of two and three. Little fingers danced across the computer keyboard, searching for information on Mount Toubkai, the Aswan Dam and the Bantu people.

The results of the report will integrate information gleaned from the Internet, books and personal interviews, Frank said.

“I don’t use technology for technology’s sake,” she said. “We have a reason for using it.”

That approach is part of what made Jefferson a recipient of Apple’s award.

“They integrate technology into the curriculum. That’s one of the hardest things for schools to do,” said Jim Rund, Apple’s territory manager for Idaho, Montana and Eastern Washington.

“A lot of schools compartmentalize their technology,” Rund said. “Kids get an electronic recess, but that’s not true at Jefferson.”

Wooley, in particular, has been a real leader in this area for many years now, he said.

On May 15, Jefferson will stage a walk-a-thon and barbecue to raise money to keep the computer screens glowing brightly.

Moran Prairie teacher promoted

Cheryl Kammerzell, a fourth-grade teacher at Moran Prairie Elementary School, was promoted to Spokane School District 81 summer school facilitator last week.

But before Kammerzell’s promotion, she also received an additional honor. Kammerzell was named Spokane School District 81 Distinguished Teacher for the Third Quarter.

In her new position as summer school facilitator, Kammerzell will help direct the summer school sites.

Kammerzell’s experience as an elementary teacher taught her the importance of listening to students.

“The people I felt were most responsible for the award were the students in my classroom,” she said. “They have a lot to do with success as a teacher.”

Marilyn Highberg, principal at Moran Prairie, said, “Over the years, parents have come back to say how thankful they are that their youngsters had Mrs. Kammerzell to teach them organization and responsibility.”

Kammerzell is completing a master’s degree in educational administration at the University of Idaho.

Sample some culture

Ever tasted Spanish? Hungry for French?

Multicultural Evening is tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. for the Wilson and Jefferson Elementary schools’ foreign language programs.

The tasting party will be in the Jefferson Elementary gymnasium, 3612 S. Grand Blvd.

The event also will celebrate cultures and customs of the world.

Students will dress in a traditional costume of their language of study.

The event is free to the public.

, DataTimes MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the South Side Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a South Side school or about the achievements of South Side students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Deadline is Monday. Write: Janice Podsada, Education Notebook, South Side Voice, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. E-mail: janicep@spokesman.com. Call: 459-5439. Fax: 459-5482.