Staff Writer
A local after-school program for third-, fourth- and fifth-grade girls in northwest Jacksonville was recently granted a major upgrade in computer equipment and Internet connectivity through the Florida Lottery and GTECH Corp.
The Reed Educational Campus at 1934 Lentie Road received a GTECH After School Advantage computer center, which was the 13th in Florida.
The grant, about $15,000, provided eight student workstations, one for the teacher and another for the campus director. The computers are equipped with the latest software and are networked to a printer, which the campus previously could not access.
“It was very exciting news when we found out about the grant,” said Gertrude Peele, director of the campus, which was created through the National Council of Negro Women Inc.’s Child Watch Partnership of Jacksonville.
“It’s amazing and it will greatly assist our educational goals. It gets them connected so they can do their research for their homework,” said Peele.
The campus was equipped with a few computers before being awarded the grant, but they were about 6 years old and had to be shared by the 24 girls who attend the campus.
“This upgrade will allow them to have more time to do their research,” said Peele. “Before, they were on a time limit and had to get their work done quickly so each girl could use the computer.”
The campus has been open for five years and helps provide free educational assistance to girls ages 9-12 in areas including math, reading, language arts, sustainable development studies, arts, nutrition, Spanish, science, health, basic computer training and physical activity.
Certified teachers and counselors are onsite to help children with their studies.
They also have the opportunity to talk to a registered dietitian and certified holistic counselor, licensed mental health counselor, physical fitness instructor and master gardeners through the program.
GTECH’s After School Advantage program began in 1999 and provides computers, software and Internet access to nonprofit community agencies and public schools to create learning opportunities for Florida’s at-risk students participating in after-school programs.
The nationwide program is backed by GTECH’s multiyear, $3.3 million commitment. The company has installed 140 labs to date.
The goal of the program is to close the digital divide and help children from underprivileged backgrounds become better prepared for school and more competitive when they enter the job market.
“Naturally, we are very excited about this project,” said Megan Powell, a GTECH spokesperson. “The After School Advantage program allows GTECH to apply its technological experience, as the world’s leading provider of online lottery technology, to assist in
the education of our nation’s youth.”
The official opening of the computer lab will be 4 p.m. Thursday at the Reed Educational Campus at 1934 Lentie Rd.
356-2466