WARREN New computer labs expand online access

The school also renovated its science labs over the summer.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- They can travel from classroom to classroom at John F. Kennedy High School, providing Internet access to students and teachers.
The school has purchased two wireless computer labs, consisting of 22 laptop computers on a cart, that can be moved to different classes and tapped into a room's Internet connection. Students then take the laptops to their desks.
"It basically gives us two more rooms," said Principal June Drennen, adding that each cart cost about $20,000.
Champion School District has a similar program.
JFK has three computer labs, but with technology as prevalent as it is, they're nearly always booked.
The portable lab allows more classes to be online at the same time.
The laptops are equipped with word-processing and PowerPoint capabilities.
The school also has renovated its physics and biology labs over the summer. The chemistry labs, with stone countertops, are expected to be revamped later this year.
"All of our labs were the original from when the school was built," Drennen said. "We put in octagonal tables that double as lab tables and desks."
Tackling projects
The principal said the 40-plus-year-old school tries to do one major project each summer. Last year, the gymnasium floor was refurbished.
Enrollment this year hit a 14-year high with 405 students. That's up from 383 last year and 388 the year before, Drennen said.
Besides the academic offerings, the principal attributed the increasing enrollment to varied sports activities available to students.
In the last few years, parents groups for the respective sports teams have paid for new sports fields for track, tennis, softball, soccer, football and baseball.