May 11, 2009

Workshop gives families education resources

Sixth-grader Ashaagh Mohamed, left, is joined by her family as they prepare to take their computer home.

Written by Melanie Holmes

Helping John Paul Jones Middle School reach its goal of infusing technology into education, Computers for Youth (CFY) hosted its final Family Learning Workshop, from which all sixth-grade students took home a free computer.

During the half-day computer training session, more than 200 students and parents learned how to operate their computers, which CFY refurbished and pre-loaded with educational software.

CFY, a national non-profit organization, helps low-income children perform at higher levels in school by improving their learning environment at home.

“Imagine a world where all families have the same amazing educational resources in their homes and feel empowered to use them,” CFY Philadelphia Director Medina Rashid said in a statement. “We are proud that 90 percent of CFY parents report that with CFY training and home learning centers they feel more confident helping their children succeed in school.”

Sixth-grader Fatimah Jones and her family joined by a CFY staff member. Photo credit: Medina Rashid

Founded on the belief that households contain the “greatest untapped potential for improving children’s academic and life-long success,” CFY works with schools to better the educational resources available in children’s homes, enhance parent-child interaction around learning, and connect classroom learning to the home.

With the recent computer donations to students at John Paul Jones Middle School, CFY has now distributed more than 400 computers to low-income families throughout Philadelphia this school year.

“John Paul Jones Middle School, in partnership with CFY, is honored to afford the opportunity to develop and impact the computer technology skills of our students and their families,” Assistant Principal Kahlila S. Ames said in a statement. “Through CFY computer donations and parent workshops, families will become more knowledgeable about computers, their educational applicable programs and their purpose.” — Tribune Staff Report