Just another Macbook Monday.
This morning in the media center at Manning High School, students were given Macbook Airs as part of a grant-fueled technology learning initiative.
"I think it's pretty cool," senior Shemar Mathis said as he waited for the Wi-Fi connection to link up. "It helps take a little bit of stress off the teachers, too."
Technology will be crucial for his career, as Mathis has been studying welding at F.E. Dubose Career Center. He plans on enrolling in Central Carolina Technical College after graduation, which will be free -- just like the Macbook Air -- as he's a Clarendon Scholar and eligible for two years of gratis tuition to further his welding skills.
"Why not?," he said with a smile. "Free is good."
Two years ago, District 2 -- as part of the Carolina Consortium of Enterprise Learning -- learned it was one of five districts in the country to be awarded U.S. Department of Education grant money as part of the Race to the Top competition. Of the $25 million allotted for CCEL, District 2 is getting $3.6 million, which also funds digital resource coaches giving technical support.
"It's different but exciting," said Amanda Williamson, a newly minted digital resource coach who formerly taught 5th grade. "It's changing our district and making our kids more competitive for the real world. We have great kids. Now they have an opportunity to be even better."
Not only did the grant money bring boxes of Macbook Airs and ample technical support from Apple Education, but it brought Bonnie Trulsen all the way from Seattle.
Also a digital resource coach, Trulsen comes to Clarendon County with experience as a digital technical specialist in a school district of about 100,000 students. When she was in Seattle, however, she learned about the grant won by District 2.
"I talked to Tonia (Mallett Smith) and what they were doing. I researched it and was lucky enough to get hired," she said. "This will greatly benefit the students."
Today was a day that was a long time coming for Smith, the district's grants administrator and coordinator of special projects.
"Kinda nervous but excited," Smith said as she un-boxed and stacked the Airs on a table. "Not relief at this stage but we're excited the computers are here."
Many hours of planning and research were required before the District went with Apple, she said.
"It's good to see it come to fruition. It's a big endeavor," she said. "Without the (grant) funds, there's no way the district could afford this."
Smith is happy to be on schedule, as the DOE closely monitors grant money. Apple Education has been equally involved in the process, she said, and has "held our hands every step of the way."
"It's cool that we each get one," said senior Nayely Gonzales. "I think it's kind of a step up from the computer labs."
Jill Owens said the first order of business was getting setting up Apple IDs for students. Then they would download Google Drive and Chrome.
"We're ready to roll," said Owens, a digital resource coach.
Thanks to the hard work of John Sagona, the district's director of technology, there's Wi-Fi throughout the school. And the infrastructure was just upgraded to increase bandwidth. Those days of dial-up Internet are but a distant memory for Sagona, who just went through the third wiring installation over the course of his 28 years with District 2.
"We've been through a lot in the district to say the least," he said. "And we're very fortunate to have fiber optic running between the schools."
Smith is proud of how everyone in District 2 has worked together to bring new technology to the students. Now it's up to them.
"It's a high profile grant," she said. "Technically, the nation is watching."
