Modesto City Schools families learn to earn computers
Families packed the Modesto High library, excitement in the air. After weeks of classes on technology basics, the 45 parents who stuck it out got to take a bow in front of their children, share an evening with friends and take home a computer of their own.
The evening included a ceremony, with Assistant Principal Alfredo Gonzalez and Associate Superintendent Ginger Johnson passing out certificates and shaking hands as the audience applauded every recipient.
The adults completed four weekly classes, introducing them to how to work a computer, get on the Internet, send emails and work with Microsoft Office programs. The 90-minute classes were given in Spanish, the home language of a little more than half of all Modesto High students.
They had one more task to complete Thursday night before getting the computers, signing a contract with two requirements. They agreed not to sell the computers for six months, and for their students to do six hours of community service – which can include helping grandparents or neighbors, said computer provider Terry Scott.
The desktops the families took home were donated by businesses and refurbished by Scott’s 2nd Chance Computers in Modesto, rebooted with a free Linux operating system and open source software.
The free units came with a single page of simple instructions, an Internet safety guide for teens, a help contact for glitches, and a guaranteed replacement if the unit failed. Modesto is a Comcast cable service area, where low-income families can get $9.95 per month high-speed home Internet.
This week, parents return for one more class, to learn how to log on to the Modesto City Schools parent portal, said Modesto High counselor Jorge Perez, who created the classes with Gonzalez.
“They will have access to monitor their student’s academic progress. It was great to see parents fully engaged and another opportunity to work with and build more positive relationships with parents,” Perez said.
“The cool thing is, after the course, they have another on doing finances on the computer,” he said. Those will start later this school year, as will a second set of basic classes for more Modesto City Schools parents.
For more information or to register for computer training, call at Modesto City Schools Veronica Miranda at 209-576-4441.
This story was originally published October 10, 2016 at 4:35 PM with the headline "Modesto City Schools families learn to earn computers."