Aug. 29, 2012

Page 1

Closedrd Sept. 3

THE PAPER

Deadlines for next week: News - Thursday, Aug. 30 at noon Classifieds - Friday, www.thepaperofwabash.com Aug 31 at noon

August 29, 2012

of Wabash County Inc.

Proudly Serving Wabash County Since 1977

MSD of Wabash County launches 1 to 1 computing initiative at area schools

by Brent Swan After nearly three years of planning and discussion, the Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Wabash County unveiled it’s new Apple MacBooks Aug. 24 at Northfield High School as part of its newly implemented 1to-1 computing initiative. Within the MSD district, every student, regardless of grade, received one of two electronic devices as part of this initiative. “Kindergartners through second graders will receive Ipads. Third graders through 12th graders will get MacBook Airs,” MSD of Wabash County Superintendent Dr. Sandra Weaver said. “The Ipads will remain in the classrooms, while the MacBooks will remain the students’ own personal computers for several years.” Third graders and older will be able to take the laptops home with them after school hours and will be able to take them wherever they go. “We encourage the students to personalize these computers

and make them theirs,” Dr. Weaver said. “We will get the laptops back over summer break, but we do want them to take them with them on vacations or wherever else they may go during the school year.” After each summer break concludes, Dr. Weaver said each student will then receive his or her computer they held the previous year. “I’m not sure how many schools across the state of Indiana can say they have completed a program like this across their entire district like we have,” Dr. Weaver said. “We believe our kids power down when they come to school, and we don’t want it to be that way. We think these computers are a tool that will allow us to open up opportunities for our kids.” The initiative was funded after the MSD of Wabash County borrowed $3.3 million on a loan with an interest rate below one percent. “We will have that loan paid back in full within four years,” Dr. Weaver explained. “With the interest

rate we got, the actual cost to taxpayers is less than the previous quote.” As many computers grow outdated in a relatively short amount of time, Dr. Weaver stated the laptops will be replaced in four years, and will cost the school district less the next time around. “In four years, the seniors will be presented with the option of purchasing the computers they had carried throughout their high school career,” Dr. Weaver said. “Those that are not purchased by the seniors will be purchased back by Apple through their buyback program.” It wasn’t until after much thought that the district decided on purchasing Apple products for the classrooms. “This (project) has been in the works for three years,” Dr. Weaver said of the amount of time invested. “You have to start by staffing the tech and support departments to form the foundation for this type of initiative. You then have to have

STUDENTS IN MRS. SAPUSEK’S class learn about the MacBook Airs they received on Aug. 24. MSD of Wabash County recently launched a 1 to 1 computing initiative with students in Kindergarten through third grade receiving Ipads and students above third grade receiving MacBooks. (photo by Brent Swan)

Heartland Career Center offers Precision Machining Class

(continued on page 6)

TERRY SHOEMAKER (center) shows his Precision Machining students the setup of an industrial lathe. Heartland Career Center has offered the class for two years, with the goal of training students to enter the workforce as qualified machinists. (photo by Brent Swan)

TWO STUDENTS help each other navigate through menu options after receiving their MacBook Airs on Aug. 24 at Northfield High School. Students will keep their individual laptop for four years and are able to take the computers wherever they go throughout the school year. (photo by Brent Swan)

by Brent Swan For instructor Terry Shoemaker, Heartland Career Center’s offering of a class dedicated to precision machining is another step in the process of training students with the practical skill needed to qualify for a job following their years in high school. “We teach the practical side of this trade,” Shoemaker said. “Let’s say you have a part and you tell me you need a spacer to go onto that part, here in Precision Machining, we’ll make that part.” Shoemaker said the fall 2012 semester marks the first semester of the second year of the

Index Classifieds ......................31-35

Weekly Reports................17-19

D&E ....................................16

Sports ............................24-25

(continued on page 6)

In Memoriam Mary Ellen Clark, 77 Leah Dale, 92 Rosemary Eppley, 90

Jackie Fetter, 78 Louise Miller, 98 Dorothy Monce, 78

Vol. 35, No. 24

Florence Stein, 102 Michele Wilhelm, 51 Marvin Wells, 72

PO Box 603, Wabash, IN 46992 (260) 563-8326


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Aug. 29, 2012 by The Paper of Wabash County - Issuu