Monday, October 16th was an exciting day at Saint Mark Catholic Academy as the school initiated its Middle School 1:1 Chromebook Program. Each student in grades five through eight was provided with a Chromebook, charger, and carrying case.
Since last year, the students have been utilizing Google Classroom as they shared a set of Chromebooks. The great response from students and faculty alike prompted Principal Carol Donnelly, along with the Academy’s Board of Directors, to make the investment in additional 60 devices. Now all of the students in SMCA’s Middle School have a Chromebook to use in every class, and they also have the unique advantage of taking the device home to complete assignments outside the classroom.
“I don’t know who’s more excited, me or the students,” said Mr. Mark Wilson, who teaches English language arts to grades five through eight. “A 1:1 program provides unique advantages for both students and teachers. Students can complete an assignment online, and I can check it online, too. We’re saving valuable class time, which will certainly have a positive impact on teaching and learning.”
On Monday afternoon, students and faculty gathered together as the 1:1 Program officially commenced. After reciting the academy’s Chromebook Pledge, the students, along with the faculty, prayed together, seeking the intercession of Saint Isidore of Seville, patron saint of the internet, technology, and students.
“Thanks to these recent upgrades in technology,” said Principal Carol Donnelly, “you can walk into any of our classrooms and see students participating in learning activities that compel our children to explore, create models, and manage multi-step approaches to relevant problem solving.” Along with the new Chromebooks, Saint Mark Catholic Academy was recently awarded 100 iPads thanks to a generous grant by DeSales Media. These iPads will be utilized by students in nursery to grade four, so truly every student at Saint Mark has the most recent technology at their fingertips.
Almighty and eternal God, who created us in Thy image and bade us to seek after all that is good, true and beautiful, especially in the divine person of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee that, through the intercession of Saint Isidore, bishop and doctor, during our journeys through the internet we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to Thee and treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
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