[NUGA] NUGA project looks for assistance

NUGA members,

Here is a brief description of a current project to be posted shortly on
the NUGA web site:

"Network Users Group Alaska is currently partnering with Anchorage
International Rotary to bring the computing world to North Star
Elementary School located at 605 West Fireweed Lane here in Anchorage.

North Star Elementary is one of the most diverse primary schools in the
Anchorage School District, consisting of grades 1 through 6. The school
Principal, Mr. Marcus Wilson, reports the school teaches children whose
37 native languages bring special challenges to his creative, talented
faculty. Mr. Wilson explains North Star Elementary with all its
diversity includes many young families who are just getting an economic
foothold in this Anchorage, Alaska community. He found the families
rarely have financial means to provide many aspects of the cyber community.

Ella Brown, Vice Principal, and several other faculty members have been
looking for an answer. They conceived an outreach program, Parent's
University. Their academic background provided an understanding of their
student's need to utilize Internet resources to assist learning of the
world and to provide meaningful research. Ella recognizes the family is
key to enabling students even though parents may have limited computer
literacy.

Ella approached one of the Rotarians who participates in the “Read to
Me,” program at the school. The seed of the idea was planted. Would it
be possible for Rotary to provide computer systems for families unable
to purchase new computers? Certainly, Anchorage International Rotary
could provide financial means but seemingly lacked technical wherewithal
to pull the program together. That is, until a Rotarian, Tim Trueblood,
also Projects Chair with Network Users of Alaska, saw a synergistic
opportunity. With the backing of John Tibor, President of NUGA, and
members of the NUGA Board of Directors and with the generous donations
of Rotarians and NUGA members, the project is now well on its way to
fruition.

On the evening of December 10th , North Star Elementary, will host the
first Parent's University. The evening will consist of 12 families
receiving instruction on fully reconditioned computer systems and
learning about the Internet. NUGA members will act as instructors. At
the conclusion of the two and one half hour orientation, each family
will take “their” computer system home and will retain it for their
personal use.

Ella Brown visualizes this as the first of several such Parent's
University evenings over the next year.

Anchorage International Rotary provided grant money ($2,400 for this
first evening) and most of the recycled computers from their members,
while Network Users Group Alaska has generously rolled up their sleeves
to recondition the computers and to provide instruction for the
attending families."

So you can see, here is a worthy project. All 12 computers have been
kitted and tested for basic functionality. What's needed now is for you
to take a computer or two (or more for that matter)to your lab and
install and test Windows XP and a suite of applications. Along with the
computer will come two CDs: One containing the OS and another containing
XP SP3 and six applications. The computer(s) need be completed by
Tuesday, December 8.

If you think you can help, please contact me (Tim Trueblood cell:
441-0319 or home: 272-1627)so we can make arrangements for you to pick
up the unit(s).

I will be attending today's meeting if there are questions.

Thanks,

Tim Trueblood
ttrueblood@alaska.net
441-0319

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Received on Wed Dec 2 05:38:48 2009