We found out about Logan Elementary, located just NW of Mt. Airy, from the Principal at Emlen. After meeting with Logan's Principal and TTL, PCF decided to support them with our Classroom Computers program. Man, are we glad we did. In fact, we liked working with this school so much that we will be starting our 3D printing class at Logan in mid May. Like all other schools, Logan's needs are vast. But what made [...]
Thanks to our donors and volunteers, PCF was able to install 30 computers into various classrooms and the Family Resource Room at William Cramp Elementary. Prior to installing the computers, PCF provided Cramp with 8 donated iPads. In addition to setting up mini labs in various classrooms, we also outfitted a room that is used by parents to access the internet, fill out applications, write resumes, and take GED classes. We were thrilled to have [...]
PCF installed almost 50 computers into Steel classrooms in a mad rush before the start of PSSA tests (at which point no visitors would be allowed into the building, let alone classrooms). Earlier in the year, PCF supplied hundreds of coded books to Steel, located in Nicetown (East of Germantown). We need your help to continue offering these important programs. Please consider making a donation to support our work. Or contact us if [...]
Philadelphia is lucky to have a program that assists post high-school minorities and women in the field of technology. The Item (which stands for "Inclusive Technology & Entrepreneurship Movement") has regular meet-up meetings where they discuss technology and get hands-on experience. At a recent meet-up, The Item got into programming and were looking for laptops for five of their their members. Another organization put them in touch with PCF. We gave five of their aspiring [...]
We have learned that it helps to move our equipment into staging rooms inside schools before we show up at a future date to install them. This way, we cut down on truck rental expenses plus we make the most efficient use of our volunteers' time during installation and it gives us a chance to get the lay of the land beforehand. We have also learned that for two people to move 130+ computers into [...]
PCF has had the fortune of working with Henry H. Houston Elementary school quite a bit in the past. They were our second Classroom Computers program installation plus we have helped them with iPads, the installation of a security system and, most recently, we outfitted their library with five computers. PCF encourages schools to set up our computers into areas that can be accessed by students and their families. Besides being a school resource, the [...]
PCF Board member Greg Bermon and Jan Deruiter installed approximately 20 computers at A.B. Day Elementary School in East Mt. Airy. Greg took a vacation day from his work to assist Jan with the installation. Like many of the other schools, some classrooms posed some challenges (in terms of finding power and/or getting Ethernet to work) but in the end we prevailed. Getting everything set up requires some creativity. We often have to scrounge for [...]
PCF has been truly fortunate with the support we've received, and continue to receive, from Health Partners Plans. They have supported us financially with generous annual donations plus most of the 2,000 machines PCF has received over the years have come from HPP network hospitals such as Aria Health, Einstein Medical Center, Hahnemann University Hospital, Temple and others. On a cold day in January, HPP supplied PCF with an additional 50 computers, monitors and supplies [...]
Today we delivered 30-35 boxes of books to ET Steel School in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia. Most of the books were donated to PCF by the American Association of Law Libraries and the Radnor School District. But a couple of the boxes came from a caring individual who leaves her Wells Fargo account manager mostly sports-related books that she picks up at flea markets and yard sales! We were met at the school by Principal Mr. Jamal Dennis and a [...]
Ithan Elementary donated 19 boxes filled with children's books to be distributed to Philadelphia public schools. Earlier this summer, the district donated a trove of laptops and overhead projectors that were wiped and refurbished over the summer and which will be distributed to schools this fall. We want to thank the Maureen, Joan, and Stephanie at the Radnor Township School District and Ithan Elementary for their support!
CHIKARA has generously donated 80 tickets for PCF to distribute to 4 public schools in the Northwest. The event looks like a lot of fun and PCF has chosen Emlen, Houston, Jenks, and Henry schools to choose how they wish to distribute the tickets to students and their families. Saturday, December 5th, 2015 Doors open at 6 pm; first match at 7:00 pm CHIKARA @ The 2300 Arena 2300 S. Swanson St., Philadelphia, PA 19148 Google maps (the [...]
One of the things we observed from installing computers into the homes of families was the absence of working printers. We learned that depending on the school, most students do not have a computer at home.* And amongst those that do, working printers are a rarity. We assume this to be true because printers can be difficult to connect and replacing toner can be expensive. But whatever the cause, the reality is that working printers at home are far and few between. [...]
PCF was thrilled to receive a car-load of childrens' books along with a very generous donation of $1,225 from the members of the American Association of Law Libraries! The books were collected by AALL members and picked up here in Philadelphia. PCF will be donating the books to a Philadelphia public school after we have sorted and coded them. It looks like we will be sending them to Edward T. Steel School in North Philadelphia. We [...]
PCF was invited to attend the District's Partnerships Resource Fair during school break. Since we had not advertised our renewed focus on supporting schools, we did not expect the huge interest in our Programs. In the span of two hours, 33 schools filled out an application to receive support for classroom computers, library support, and technology teaching. View the full list of schools and a map here. The Fair was held during lunch on the final day of [...]
Just before summer break, Endo Pharmaceuticals contacted PCF about a donation of 200 used iPads. They came without chargers/cables but those were easy enough to get. 200 iPads was huge and we knew we'd make some teachers (and their students) very happy campers. We worked closely with the Philadelphia School District to identify the schools and teachers that would utilize them the most but at the same time, would be able to secure them and support them over time. [...]
After Emlen Elementary received their new computer lab at the beginning of the 2015 school year, PCF jumped on the opportunity to teach technology classes there. About a dozen 5th graders were selected by their teachers and allowed to attend the weekly 2.5 hr class for the remainder of the school year. A donor had given PCF an old, first generation but durable 3D printer which we thought would be the perfect gimmick to get kids interested [...]
PCF was incredibly fortunate to receive about 200 used iPads from Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc (Malvern, PA) earlier in 2015. iPads are treasured in schools because of their versatility and other factors. After PCF purchased power chargers and cables, we contacted the school district for help on how to best distribute them to Philadelphia schools. With their help, we found 8 public schools that were delighted to receive them. For details, please see another post. Thank you [...]
PCF became aware of the exciting changes taking place at J.S. Jenks Elementary through the Mt. Airy Schools Coalition. Abby Thaker from Mt Airy USA suggested we get in touch with Jenks to offer technology support. During our meeting with principal Lynskey, it became evident that this was the perfect place for PCF to help with 3D Printing Classes. Twice a week for a few months, PCF helped teach the 2-hour class in their computer lab until Jenks got their [...]
When PCF heard that Emlen Elementary was converting an unused, junk-filled classroom into a library, we got very excited and offered to help. The completion of this project was a huge undertaking and involved a lot of individuals, private donations, school personnel, private schools and organizations including PCF. The opening ceremony was very touching with kids speaking as well as the family of Elbridge G. James, to whom the Learning Center and Library is dedicated. Throughout the year, we helped [...]
After our successful pilot program at Emlen Elementary, we were given the go-ahead by the Philadelphia school district to work with schools directly. Through the Mt. Airy Schools Coalition, we learned of the technology needs at Henry H. Houston Elementary and decided to see if PCF would be able to offer assistance. After our initial meeting with Principal Hall and computer teacher and TTL Ms Greenberg, we realized Houston was the perfect project for PCF. The need was [...]
PCF Board member Leona Laibhen-Cesar (standing) along with fellow Woodforest National Bank employees came in to volunteer for the better part of the day. They worked their way through a TON of books that eventually made their way to Emlen Elementary's new library. Each book was looked up on the web and then color coded according to the 100 Book Reading Challenge. This color coding method is much more practical since kids can just look for the color that matches [...]
PCF was featured in an article in The Notebook, Philadelphia public schools' independent voice for parents, educators, students, and friends of Philadelphia Public Schools. In the article, PCF Director and Principal Thomas from Emlen were interviewed about the beginnings of what became PCF's Classroom Computers Program. Out with the old? Not so fast District schools like Emlen and Robeson are taking donated technology and making it work in classrooms By Paul Jablow on Mar 24, 2015 Jan Deruiter [...]
PCF placed roughly 60 computers into various classroom at Emlen at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year. Due to the success of our pilot program there, PCF received official permission from the Philadelphia Public School District's IT department to roll out our Classroom Computers program to other schools. After our successful pilot program, we are now officially allowed to work with other schools directly! We learned a lot from working with Emlen: the value these computers represent to [...]
In May of 2014, PCF provided the families of 2nd Graders at Hartranft Elementary School in North Philadelphia with take home computers. Here are some of the photos of the event:
PHILADELPHIA, PA - On March 13, 2014, Philadelphia Children's Foundation distributed computers to the fifth grade students of Hartranft Elementary School. The entire fifth grade class, totaling 59 children received a computer. Students and their families, joined by Hartranft faculty and several members of the Philadelphia Children's Foundation board, gathered in the Hartranft auditorium to collect 60 newly refurbished computers. Principal Kelli Rosado addressed the students and their families and outlined the advantages of having a computer at home [...]
