Grant launches technology center

By next fall, members the Sisters community will be able to jump into the 21st Century at a community center at Sisters Elementary School.

The grant will provide a server, computers, and expertise to build and maintain local networks. Total value of the grant and hardware is approximately $50,000.

The US West Foundation awarded a WOW (Widening Our World) grant to the cooperative partnership of Sisters Schools Foundation, Inc., Sisters School District, and SOAR to help establish the site. Sisters Elementary School Technology Team wrote the proposal for the grant and submitted it in July. The five-member team, composed of volunteers Carol Boudreau, Ann Coombs, Deb Kollodge, Marie Phillips an, Todd Pilch, saw the grant as an opportunity to found a computer center while upgrading the equipment currently in use at the elementary school computer lab.

Additional support for the center is being provided by the Sisters Community Action Team (CAT), which has made it a priority goal in their long-range plan, and the Intel Challenge Grant, currently underway, allowing for the purchase of Pentium II computers for $165.

The Pentium IPs will replace classroom computers. The classroom computers will then be used help upgrade the existing lab equipment.

Sisters Cyber Site will host a variety of programs providing the community with the opportunity to learn and use technology effectively.

Programs currently in development include: "Power Hour," allowing children after-school access to the research tools, technology and assistance that they require to tackle homework and special school projects; "Get it Together," assisting community organizations and clubs, regardless of size or budget, in determining how technology can best suit their needs; and "The Next Step", aimed at getting job resumes and college and scholarship applications in top form.

The center is supposed to be up and running by the start of the next school year.

To participate in the Intel Challenge Grant make checks payable to: Sisters Schools Foundation Elem. Adopt a Computer. Mail to: PO Box 2155, Sisters, OR 97759. For more information call Ann Coombs at 595-1120.