Homer CCSD 33C
Goodings Grove Luther J. Schilling William E. Young William J. Butler
Hadley Middle Homer Jr. High
Contact: Charla Brautigam, Communications/Public Relations Manager
cbrautigam@homerschools.org | 708-226-7628
For Immediate Release:
Dec. 9, 2015
Homer 33C joins Hour of Code movement
Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C students demonstrated their 21st century learning skills recently, participating in a global Hour of Code movement.
Students spent at least one hour writing computer code the week of Dec. 7-13 in celebration of Computer Science Education Week. They were among tens of millions students in 180+ countries to participate.
“We started the morning off with the Hour of Code,” said Schilling third grade teacher Tasha Ohotzke. “It was a huge success. Many students were writing 10 lines of code or more by the time we finished. I even had one student that wrote 22 lines of code.”
The Hour of Code movement was organized by Code.org, a public 501c3 non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools and increasing participation by women.
The goal is to demystify code and show students that anybody can learn the basics.
“Every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science,” according to Hour of Code organizers. “It helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity.”
Homer School District 33C is at the forefront of 21st century learning, launching a Preparing Future Ready Students initiative in June 2013. With the community’s support, the district has been enhancing its collection of 21st century learning tools, including Chromebooks, iPads, laptops, PCs, 3D printers and Spheros.
By 2017, the district hopes to equip every student in grades 3-8 with a Chromebook.
“Our goal is to prepare students for the rigors of a technologically advanced world,” said Arlene Siefert, the district’s Director of Technology.
That means giving them the right tools to build their critical thinking skills, expand their communications skills and become independent problem solvers, added Superintendent Kara Coglianese.
“Through collaborative efforts representing ALL community stakeholder groups, Homer 33C is committed to empowering student success by graduating responsible, globally-aware citizens who are passionate life-long learners, creative thinkers and independent problem-solvers,” she said. “In addition, we are committed to providing technology that enhances learning, expands communication and promotes data-driven decision-making.”
During an Hour of Code session at Hadley Middle School on Dec. 9, fifth graders challenged themselves to build a Star Wars galaxy with code.
“I think it’s fun,” said one fifth grader as she programed a droid’s movement with a few clicks on her keyboard.
“Some levels are difficult,” said another student. “But some aren’t.”
Technology plays an important role in today’s learning, said teacher Celeste Rupsis, because it fosters critical thinking and problem-solving.
“It forces them to think sequentially and logically,” she added.
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