By:by Esther McKenna
New tech labs, live broadcast links
When Rockville Centre students enter their classrooms for the first time this week, they won't be disappointed. District-wide improvements mean new foreign language computer workshops, high-tech math and science labs, and live television links from the middle and high schools to the district cable channel.
Members of the school board, administration and PTAs gave a collective and enthusiastic thumbs up to district-wide improvements during a walking tour of village schools last week. Improvements ranged from subtle to superior and were apparent in every school.
Upgrades at both the middle and high schools include new interactive foreign language computer labs. (Computer hardware and software, purchased with funds from the bond issue only three years ago, had become obsolete and were in need of upgrading.) New high-tech math and science labs, and a series of mini-labs, have also been set up in both schools.
"The technology in the Middle School was lagging," said school board member Keith Gaskell. "The present system uses real technology."
The new equipment will allow students to conduct simulated experiments. For example, future architects could design a new structure and test the building for stress attributable to earthquakes or hurricanes.
The High School auditorium in slated for major reconstruction, including a new ceiling, seating and walls. Approval from the NYS board of education is scheduled to come through this month and a completion date has been tentatively set for January 1.
Last year, a live-feed video system was set up between the middle and high schools, allowing for simultaneous broadcasts for purposes of education and entertainment. This year's additions include the live broadcast of productions in either auditorium directly onto the district cable channel.
The STELLAR program has now been fully integrated in all schools within the district. (Through S.T.E.L.L.A.R., students experience Success in Technology, Enrichment, Literacy, Library and Research.) An extra teacher will be housed in every school building, working from each library's new 'resource center.' This new instructor will not be assigned to a classroom, and will provide "enrichment" to individuals and groups of students working on special projects.
A new classroom was constructed for special education students in the Hewitt Elementary School. Existing space, much of which was being used for an office for principal Joanne Spencer, was utilized. Eight students, some of which will come from outside the school district, will be accommodated in the new classroom.
In addition, Project Great -- a before and after-school program for children of working parents -- has been expanded. Students attending Covert and Wilson schools will remain at Wilson after school dismissal and students attending Hewitt, Watson and Riverside will be remain at Riverside. Students are bused to participating schools after the 3:20 P.M. dismissal, and are supervised by an accredited teacher. Students are allowed access to computers for homework projects under supervision. Project Great is a self-sustaining program, paid for by parents of participants.
Improvements were funded through the 2000/2001 budget, the remaining funds from the School Bond Issue and grants from the PTA association, the RVC Education Foundation and state money procured by Senator Dean Skelos.
