Efforts to pay for technology

A fund-raising dinner is set for Feb. 26.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF Writer
POLAND -- Pupils and PTA members at McKinley Elementary School are raising money to convert an empty classroom into a technology room.
The SMART Technology room would be available to all school classes. SMART refers to a brand of interactive white board used in classrooms.
The boards enable teachers and pupils to access the Internet via a touch-pad screen projected onto a wall, and teachers can store each day's lesson in the computer.
Eva Sullivan, a language arts teacher, has a SMART Board that she received after attending a workshop on the technology. But it's installed in her classroom and can't be moved to other rooms.
The new room would be available to all classes, and "all students will be able to access it," said Linda Rucci, PTA vice president.
Lori Mowad, a PTA member and one of the organizers of the fund-raising efforts, said that by converting the empty classroom into a SMART Technology room, the technology will be more accessible.
"You'll be able to raise and lower the SMART Board so children in wheelchairs or who use walkers will be able use it to," she said.
Upcoming event
The school's PTA has organized a fund-raising dinner Feb. 26 by Outback Steakhouse. The event will be in the school's cafeteria, and tickets are $17 for adults, $10 for children 9 and older and $3 for children younger than 9. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 1. More information is available by calling the school at (330) 757-7015.
"We're hoping to raise at least $10,000," Mowad said.
Pupils sold candles and other trinkets during the school's fall fund-raiser, and all of that money is going toward the technology room. They're also creating gift baskets that will be raffled off during the dinner, which also will feature a silent auction.
Besides Outback Steakhouse, which is donating the food for the dinner, other major sponsors are Sysco, Pepsi, Dean's Milk, Burger King, Troyer Farm, Poland Food Services and Giant Eagle.
In addition to the SMART Board, the classroom will offer 28 computer stations, digital video and Web publishing software and video equipment.
Dina Janoso, PTA president, said theater seating and a speaker system also are planned.
Some examples
Chris Lane, 12; Jacob Janoso, 11; Becca Mowad, 11; Cassie Wylie, 11; and Claudia Gage, 11, all sixth-graders in Sullivan's class, showcased class projects that they created using the technology.
Chris made a game based on the television show "Jeopardy," using definitions of root words. Jacob showed off samples of his writing, including a poem illustrated with sports photographs.
Becca created a playbill of a play, based on the Charles Dickens character Ebeneezer Scrooge, incorporating photos of pupils who portrayed each part.
Cassie researched the history of her name, compiling her research into a computer file that includes pictures, and Claudia developed a slide show.
Mrs. Mowad said the school hopes to have the technology classroom ready for pupils to use by early March.