Walpole High School Student and Alumni Musicians
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Chromebooks
Walpole High School commences 1:1 Chromebook Program with Class of 2021 Photo/Caroline Pitman
Freshman Jenna Keaney uses her own Chromebook during study hall to complete some of her homework. “They’re nice because I don’t have to carry textbooks around everywhere,” said Keaney.
By Emily Ball News Editor The Class of 2021 received new chromebooks from Walpole Public Schools at the end of August. This initiative is the first step in Walpole Public School’s 1:1 Chromebook Program. “We could not fund a full nine to twelve roll-out all at once. This is a new project that will be done in at least two phases,” Walpole Public School’s Director of Technology Integration Ann Arpin said. “With enough funding to provide students in just one grade with
a new Chromebook, starting with freshmen, and having them keep them over their four years at the high school would be the best choice to build and sustain a logical and cost-effective roll-out.” Freshmen students received their Chromebooks during orientation on Aug. 29 as long as they submitted $40 and a signed loaned agreement on the first day of school. The Chromebooks were purchased with funds from Walpole High School’s budget. “For the high school’s Phase one of this initiative, last spring Mr. Imbusch collaborated with Depart-
ment Chairs to identify funds from their remaining budgets, and identified other accounts from which he could allocate funds,” Arpin said. The Chromebooks have allowed students to adapt to 21st century technological advances by replacing textbooks. “One positive to having chromebooks is the amount of free space in my bag,” freshman Benjamin Skypeck said. “Textbooks would have taken up a lot of space but the chromebook is my textbook now.” Although only the Class of 2021 has personal Chromebooks right now, the technology staff plans to expand the program to upperclassmen in the upcoming year. “Next year, the plan is to allocate the funding for the next incoming Freshmen Class, and take the existing stock of Chromebooks in carts at the high school and distribute those to juniors and seniors,” Arpin said. Not only do the Chromebooks change the learning environment for students in school, they also offer students, as well as families, another form of technology for outside of the classroom. “A number of parents said that this would relieve the burden at home of sharing their available computers with multiple children and adults in the family,” Arpin said. “Also, the recognition that digital learning and ubiquitous
access to a device will best prepare students for success in high school, as well as for college and careers.” Arpin spearheaded this project with a goal of making learning through technology more accessible for students. “With the growth and use of digital resources, teachers were having difficulty scheduling Chromebooks from the carts into their classrooms,” Arpin said. “It was becoming clear that access to digital resources was no longer something that could reasonably be ‘scheduled.’ Students should have access as needed throughout the day.” The only issue freshmen students have identified with this new program is the fact that they must charge their Chromebooks before coming into school. “The only negative to having chromebooks could be remembering to charge them at home and not being able to use them during class if they are not charged” Freshman Alison Fair said. Although this technological initiative is brand new, it has already allowed Walpole students and staff to take a step towards complete dissemination of educational information online. “Having access to digital resources 24/7 enables students to collaborate, communicate, create and publish their work in a 21st century learning environment,” Arpin said.
Community organizes drives for hurricane victims
Courtney Nottebart and students help those affected by recent record holding storms in Texas and Puerto Rico By Dana DeMartino Staff Writer Walpole High School students are holding donation drives to help hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and Texas. Special educator Courtney Nottebart placed donation bins for Puerto Rican victims in the main lobby and in front of her classroom, room 1136. To support Houston families, senior Ellen Irmiter placed a bin for diapers in the main lobby. Irmiter will package and send diapers to Texas throughout October. “There are so many parents who have been displaced and have nothing, but they have young children who really need diapers. I was particularly motivated by a story of a woman who drowned, but her child survived by clinging to her,” Irmiter said. Nottebart will send the first donation package to the organization United for Puerto Rico on Oct. 7. Donatable items include toiletries, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, toothbrushes/ toothpaste, towels, diapers, wipes, pet food, canned food and water.
“My best friend has family in Puerto Rico and seeing his desperation at not being able to do much was really upsetting,” Nottebart said. “He works for the Boston Fire Department and mentioned that supplies were much needed and that he would be organizing a drive to ship them down to the island. After talking with Carlos, we decided that we could try and do something here at Walpole since a number of students have family who are impacted.” Senior Carlos Vega and junior Ernesto Maldonado planned the donation drive Nottebart to assist Hurricane Maria victims. Vega and Maldonado’s grandparents live in different areas of Puerto Rico and the students wanted to help their families on the island. “I traveled there to visit my family in the summer of 2016,” said Vega. “The island is beautiful and special to me, and I wanted to do something to help the people and my family still there.” Walpole students and faculty publicized the aid efforts by word of mouth. Nottebart also reached out to nurse Rachel Jackson and started
Photo/ Dana DeMartino
Senior Carlos Vega and junior Ernesto Maldonado collect items with Courtney Nottebart for their donation drive. “It’s been pretty amazing to see the response of the high school and Walpole community,” Nottebart said.
to spread the word on social media. “It’s been pretty amazing to see the response of the high school and Walpole community,” Nottebart said. Students who wish to help with the diaper drive can donate diapers, reach out to National Honor Society members, or email Irmiter at irmitere18@wpsma. org for specific directions. Students
who wish to help with Nottebart’s drive can place donation items into either of the bins, or speak to her in room 1136. “No amount of goodness is too small,” said Nottebart. “I want my students to know they can always help each other in times of need. We have to be in this life together, I think there is a lot of value in learning that.”
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WALPOLE, MA 02081
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October 2017