Jan 162013
Dec 012012
by Greta Gize Olbrich, Barron Park School PTA President
Not everybody’s aware that Barron Park School is a special place. But apparently someone at MIT Technology Review got wind of this and is now singing Barron Park’s praises! Barron Park School was highlighted in an MIT Technology Review article for its use of technology at the school. Every fifth-grader at Barron Park has been issued an iPad to use for classroom work such as math problems, making videos, and other core curricula. Barron Park is the first elementary school in PAUSD to pilot this program allowing each student to bring an iPad home to complete homework assignments. PAUSD hopes to roll this program out to all elementary 5th grades, but as of now, it’s unique to Barron Park School.
“It’s simply amazing to see the level of engagement and excitement with the children,” says Barron Park’s Educational technology teacher Smita Kolhatkar.Tablet computers are growing in use in K-12 schools with the spread of digital text books and plethora of free educational software. Kolhatkar is Barron Park’s Ed Tech TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment), and she’s not just for the 5th grade classes. She spends time in each grade level room on a weekly basis, using technology as part of the instructional materials. She also leads a SCRATCH club, where students create their own interactive games, videos, music, art, etc. This extremely popular club is open for 3rd-5th graders and meets Mondays/Wednesday at lunch.
To read full MIT Technology Review article, click on the link: Tablet Makers Pursue Public Schools.
Oct 202012
The City of Palo Alto is working with Palo Alto Unified School District and the community to improve school access and commutes. The City of Palo Alto’s Safe Routes to School staff and consultant team reviewed Barron Park’s commute conditions, existing infrastructure, and suggested routes for walking and biking to school on September 18th .
City staff and the consultant team have developed a number of recommendations. You are invited to review recommendations for improvements as well as to review and provide feedback on the Walk and Roll Suggested Routes to School Map.
WHERE: Barron Park Elementary School, Multipurpose Room, 800 Barron Avenue
WHEN: Tuesday, October 23, 2012, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Palo Alto Safe Routes to School is a comprehensive program to make school commutes safer by combining the traditional tools of engineering and enforcement with education about road safety and activities to encourage more families to choose alternatives to driving to school solo.
For more information, contact: Sylvia.Star-Lack@Cityo
Sep 182012
This forum is co-sponsored by the PTAs of Gunn, Terman, Barron Park and Juana Briones.
Thursday Sept 27th 7-9p
Terman Middle School Cafe, 655 Arastradero Road Palo Alto, CA 94306
Doors open at 6:30p. Forum begins promptly at 7p.
To pre-submit a question to all 4 candidates, email question to paloaltoparents@gmail.com by 5p on Wed Sept 26th. Include your name and school(s) your child(ren) attend. NO anonymous questions will be asked.
Spanish translation will be provided.
Childcare is available free of charge, thanks to the generous support of the Barron Park Association.
A Live Web-stream of forum may be available at TITAN BROADCAST NETWORK