Did You Know...
Access to computers in schools can make THE difference for students
preparing for tomorrow’s workforce. With your help, we can put them in!
Improving Outcomes & Closing the Digital Divide:
Philadelphia Children’s Foundation supports Philadelphia public schools by installing internet-ready computers into classrooms and publicly accessible (H&SA) rooms within the school. We typically install up to three computers into classrooms of the schools we are able to support. They are part of the school’s network and usage is supervised and encouraged by teachers.
Our computers become an essential tool for teachers in assisting students that are falling behind, keep order in the classroom, and assist students in doing research. Teachers can direct students in need to spend time on educational websites that address students’ individual shortcomings. Some of the most frequently accessed websites include First-in-Math, Lexia (reading/writing), SumDog, ABCya, Class DoJo, and Kahn Academy.
Through access to some of the best educational websites, children increase their academic skills independently and teachers are able to track student use and progress.
How are our Computers Used in the Classroom?
With our classroom computers, Pre-K-to-3rd Grade students learn and review reading, writing, and math skills. Older students can do Internet research for their projects and access more specialized programs (graphics, Google Apps, etc.). Some specifics below:
How is PCF able to support schools?
PCF receives thousands of corporate-donated computers, which we turn into fast Internet terminals for students. PCF volunteers clean, refurbish, and then install Linux on them (reduces support and makes them FAST) to get them ready. PCF then delivers and installs them into identified schools.
Donated computers are not quite “Free”!
The computers are “free” except:
- We have to pay to have them picked up
- In many cases the drives have to be physically destroyed
- Replacement drives and RAM need to be purchased
- Missing keyboards, mice and monitors need to be purchased
- And we pay to have broken donated equipment recycled responsibly
To support schools, we incur additional expenses including:
- Part-time installers (who work alongside students)
- Truck rental
- Printer & toner for H&SA room
- Networks switches
- Audio headsets
- Power strips for every class
- Patch cables (networking)
- Asset tags & Support Materials
- Plus there’s warehouse cost, insurance, and misc expenses
Your support is an investment in our future. Sponsor a computer, classroom or entire school today!
Quotes From Teachers:
Quotes from existing PCF Computers-For-Education recipients:
Kindergarten Teacher Kimberly T.: “12 students entered kindergarten lacking basic skills so they were registered on the LEXIA reading program. I would monitor my students’ LEXIA progress daily (admin tools). By the end of the year, ALL my students mastered the Pre-K skills they were lacking. And SIX students obtained their Kindergarten skills and moved on to 1st Grade by April/May 🙂”
5th Grade Teacher Chiron T.: “…the computers helped with math and reading scores on the PSSA.”
3rd Grade Teacher J. Jones: “Most of my struggling readers improved in fluency and basic decoding skills. Thank You So Much 🙂”
Read (many) more on our testimonials page.
Application Form for Schools
If you are a teacher or a school administrator, please fill out this Application Form.
Classroom Computers Program News:
Computers to AB Day in Mt. Airy
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. [...]
33 Philly Public Schools Need Your Help
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 [...]
200 iPads to 8 Public Schools
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 [...]
Houston Elementary Classroom Computers
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 [...]
PCF in The Notebook: Out with the old? Not so fast
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 [...]
Classroom Computers Program Pilot at Emlen
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 [...]