As a result of a generous donation made by Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, three Netbooks have been purchased for each of the Academic Resource classes at Alcovy, Eastside and Newton high schools and one for Sharp Learning Center.
Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, in collaboration with the Special Education Department of the Newton County School System, has implemented this project that provides support for some of our high school students with disabilities working to earn diplomas that will enable them to pursue their post-secondary goals such as employment, college or technical school.
Netbooks are mini-laptops that are low cost, portable, low-power alternatives to laptops. They have fewer toxic components and are a resource-efficient approach to computing. This Netbook project offers a “greener” approach to supporting Newton County’s high school Academic Resource students in the rigorous requirements of graduation. Students with Disabilities often require accommodations, modifications and Assistive Technology solutions in order to participate in and benefit from the general education curriculum. Students in Academic Resource classes now have access to this technology that enables them to sit at their desk and type papers for their classes, research colleges on the GA411 Web site, access their teacher’s eLearn sits, use End of Course Tests (EOCT) and Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) remediation software programs, develop multi-media presentations for class assignments, monitor their assignments and grade on Student Track and so much more. These Academic Resource students are all working toward fulfilling requirements of College Preparatory and Technology/Career Preparatory Diplomas.
Courtney Manning, Newton High School Academic Resource teacher said, “My students are overjoyed that they are now up to speed with the new Netbooks in their class. They feel as though they are operating on the ‘cutting edge of technology.’ My students are now able to do so much more because of the convenience of the Netbooks, they really make a difference. We are certainly grateful to Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home for this investment in our students.”
Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home is an active leader in community support. As a family-owned funeral home it is not only Caldwell & Cowan’s goal to provide the citizens for Newton County and surrounding areas with person, caring and compassionate services but to also provide support for the young adults of our community. The Netbook Project is an ongoing project with annual donations of Netbooks to high school Academic Resource classes.
When asked about the Netbook Project, Cathy Stubbs, Director of Special Education for the Newton County School System said “We are thrilled that our students now have access to technology right at their desks in their classrooms. Providing the Netbooks to high school Academic Resource students gives them some of the vital tools needed to achieve their goals of graduating with a College Preparatory or Technology/Career Preparatory Diploma and becoming productive citizens and contributing members of our community. We are very fortunate to be a part of this partnership for the betterment of our students.”
