By KRISTINA SCHNACK KOTLUS
Schools and Education Reporter
WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Elementary and high school students in Prince William County took a step toward “bridging the gap” in technology access through an innovative program that began locally.
Sixty-two families gathered Thursday might at Forest Park High School in Woodbridge to receive their own computers from through the Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment, or Virginia STAR program.
The program took its roots in 2001 when Forest Park High School opened and students began refurbishing computers as part of the school’s specialty program requirements. IT Coordinator Chuck Drake saw an opportunity to help students who wouldn’t otherwise have a computer.
Twelve years and almost 6,000 computers later, Drake has watched the program grow through Productivity Investment Grants and funding from the Virginia General Assembly. Now in seventeen school districts across Virginia, the program has saved the state over $650,000 in addition to providing families with computers, which Drake says is the best part.
“There’s a lot of logistical work involved in procuring, cleaning, refurbishing these computers. Tonight, right now, is what makes it all worth it,” said Drake as he supervised students handing out computers to families from Minnieville, Mary F. Williams elementary schools.
Students from Forest Park and Battlefield high schools in Prince William County were critical in every step of Thurday’s distribution. Comptia A+ certified students refurbish computers, translate for families, demonstrate how to set up the computers, and even load the desktop components into cars.
Senior Dani Mazer started as a Spanish translator and was the organizer for last night’s “Bridging the Gap” giveaway event.
“I’ve met a lot of families that are so helped by this experience, it’s great to give them something I’ve always had that they might otherwise never have.” said Mazer.
Making sure that families have the technology access they need, as well as the training they needed to use it responsibly was the theme of the night. Trainer Rick Castenda talked at lightning speed for half an hour about internet safety for families, switching skillfully from English to Spanish so that maximum families would hear his message.
Minnieville Elementary School Principal Nathaniel Provencio summed it up saying that the program is “absolutely an equalizer” for the families who receive computers.
Forest Park student Jasmeet Singh demonstrated how to set up a Dell desktop computer that the Tellez family would take home with them. Perhaps no one knew what an equalizer it was, including Faja Tellez — a mother of five who previously had to drive her high student to a library for projects that required typing. Her three accompanying children, Victoria, Katherine, and Brandon, were most excited about getting a turn to play math or cooking games when their turn came for computer time.
While there were many teachers, administrators, and school system employees in attendance, the distribution ran with ease under the watchful eyes of the high students in charge.
“We’re the facilitators, but they [the students] take all the action, which is the best part of the program,” said Christina Files, of Minnieville Elementary School.
More information about the Virginia STAR program is available online.
