Inner City Public School Students Involved in Youth Technology Leadership Programs to be Honored by New York City Council Members
What: NYC-based education nonprofit MOUSE will bring together New York Public Schools education officials, business leaders and New York City Council Members Daniel Garodnick, Gale Brewer and Alan Gerson to honor NYC public school students winning the annual MOUSE Squad of the Year award.
MOUSE Squad is an innovative student leadership program in which a team of students establish and manage a technology help desk for their NYC school. MOUSE Squad improves a school's capacity to integrate technology into education by providing much needed onsite tech support, while also creating a powerful, hands-on 21st century learning experience for students. More than 80 NYC schools are participating in MOUSE Squad this year, saving the schools over $1.2 million by supporting almost 90,000 students and 6,000 teachers.
Students from Thomas A. Edison High School (Queens) and the Bronx Writing Academy are being presented the MOUSE Squad of the Year award for their outstanding contributions to their schools and communities. MOUSE Corps youth technology leadership program participants will be presenting their community service projects. See attached profiles.
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS ARE:
- NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS GALE BREWER, DANIEL GARODNICK, AND ALAN GERSON
- BRIAN ELLNER, SENIOR COUNSELOR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF CHANCELLOR JOEL KLEIN
- STUDENTS AND FACULTY ADVISORS FROM MOUSE SQUADS OF THE YEAR—THOMAS EDISON HIGH SCHOOL AND THE BRONX WRITING ACADEMY
- MOUSE CORPS STUDENTS
- JEANNE MEYER, SVP CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, EMI MUSIC AND MOUSE BOARD MEMBER
- ALONSO BUENDIA, MOUSE SQUAD FACULTY ADVISOR AND FORMER MEMBER
- ANDREW RASIEJ, FOUNDER, MOUSE
- CAROLE WACEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MOUSE
When: Wednesday, June 7th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: EMI Music 2 West 20th Street (at 5th Avenue) 2 New York, NY
Contact: Marlene Bowles marlene@mouse.org (212) 920-3665 [office] or (917) 749-6703 [cell]
MOUSE PROFILES
MOUSE SQUADS OF THE YEAR
High School MOUSE Squad of the Year - Thomas A. Edison High School: Now in its third year with the MOUSE Squad program, Thomas A. Edison has excelled “Beyond the Average MOUSE Squad.” Every student enrolled in the program undergoes A+ Certification Computer repair courses, helping providing members with invaluable computer repair skills. Their MOUSE Squad guarantees a two-day turn around on technical service requests and strives to address them with the best in customer service. Having set up two Virtual Enterprise Labs at surrounding Queens High Schools (Beach Channel High School and Martin Luther King High School) Thomas Edison’s MOUSE Squad has become an often tapped resource for the Department of Education.
“Not only do we teach others on what we know but after being part of the MOUSE Squad, we learn many new things, whether it be from an instructor or a member of the Squad.”Natalie Durand, MOUSE Squad member, Thomas A. Edison High School
Middle School MOUSE Squad of the Year - Bronx Writing Academy: As Middle School MOUSE Squad of the Year, the Bronx Writing Academy (BWA) has raised the bar for middle school performance. Since the fall of 2005, this 12 member MOUSE Squad has ghosted and re-imaged over 120 laptops in their school, making these systems more user friendly and internet capable. BWA’s outstanding work inspired officials at Instructional Region 1 to turn their project notes into a training manual for neighboring MOUSE Squad schools. “Students are learning skills ordinarily reserved for High school, or even college. They are empowered and feel a strong sense of importance within.” Andrew Gallagher, MOUSE Squad Faculty Advisor, Bronx Writing Academy
MOUSE Squad Honorable Mentions and Runners Up: 2nd place: Professional Performing Arts High School (Manhattan) and IS 49 - Bertha Dreyfus Middle School (Staten Island); 3rd Place: Lakewood High School (Lake Odessa, MI) and Robert F. Wagner Middle School (Manhattan); Honorable Mentions: Kenwood High School (Chicago, IL) and W. C. Bryant High School (Queens).
MOUSE Corps In its pilot debut this year, the MOUSE Corps program trained twelve students from five schools across NYC to provide technology support and leadership to their schools and communities, while supporting their academic and career success. The program opened doors to the corporate community by connecting MOUSE Corps students with mentors at Fortune 500 companies. MOUSE Corps students have trained over 100 of their teachers in email management; rewired, restored and connected computer labs to the internet; created computer applications to help schools track technology problems; and guided 80 middle school MOUSE Squad members through technical help desk training.
About MOUSE: MOUSE is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that pioneers innovative school programs in support of its mission: to be a catalyst for the effective integration of technology in teaching and learning in urban public schools, empowering students and schools to succeed in today's knowledge-based economy. MOUSE's two main programs are MOUSE Squad, a student-driven technical support help desk program that addresses the technology needs of elementary, middle and high schools; and TechSource, a research and policy initiative that provides information and leadership around critical education and technology issues facing urban districts with the ultimate goal of increasing the quality and pervasiveness of effective technology usage in public schools. Please visit www.mouse.org for more information.
The list of what I have learned from the MOUSE Squad program can go on forever. The training has helped me to be confident about what I do and has taught me... read more ›
– Jessica Alberto, MOUSE Squad Member, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technology High School
.jpg)
TechCrew allows me to start my day working with a group of students that have true passion and dedication…TechCrew teaches our students how to work as part of a group and leaves them... read more ›
– Marcos Alcozer, Northside College Prep High School, Chicago
MOUSE Squad has provided invaluable assistance to our school and made technology easy for our entire staff. Those on MOUSE Squad are surrounded by students who are successful inside and outside the classroom. read more ›
– Anthony Barbetta, Principal, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technology High School
I recognize MOUSE for its dedication to providing our city’s schools with the technological tools and support to keep our children competitive in the information age. read more ›
– Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City
The experiences that MOUSE provides its participants help ensure that high school graduates are prepared for good jobs during the summer and in their future careers. MOUSE’s unique emphasis on technology training... read more ›
– Gale Brewer, New York City Council Member, Technology Committee Chair
I love finishing school and coming to MOUSE. I love the teamwork and the time to learn new things about computers. read more ›
– Aram Buenaventura, MOUSE Squad Member, High School for Arts & Technology
MOUSE and SAP apply the same core values – quality, integrity, commitment, and passion – to our organizations. We see MOUSE Corps students as our next generation of employees and customers. MOUSE empowers... read more ›
– Ron Carolan, Chief Financial Officer, SAP Global Marketing
We must leverage technology to provide engaging, powerful learning experiences for all students, giving them authentic tools to solve real-world problems and opportunities to become better prepared for our globally competitive workforce. read more ›
– Karen Cator, Director of the Office of Educational Technology, U.S. Department of Education
When I started the internship, my manager brought me to the trading floor. It was the best thing in the world to see all the traders and to know they were my clients,... read more ›
– Duckens Durosier, MOUSE Squad Alum, George Wingate High School
Being on MOUSE Squad adds to my experience in school by making me confident about myself. read more ›
– Daniela Fernandez, MOUSE Squad Member, Sylvandale Middle School, California
Our MOUSE Squad students stand a little taller. They recognize that they have special skills and are respected for it.
– Dr. Katherine Flori, MOUSE Squad Coordinator, W.C Byrant High School, New York
To me, programs like this don't exactly go to every school around. I enjoy the program and what they teach. My interest in technology has enhanced greatly because of MOUSE Squad. read more ›
– Ally Garcia, MOUSE Squad Member, High School for Arts & Technology
Participating in the MOUSE Squad gave me a true sense of purpose. I never could have imagined in just 8 years, I would be CEO of my own technology consulting firm and... read more ›
– Juan Garzon, MOUSE Squad Alum, Robert F. Wagner Secondary School for Arts & Technology,
The people at MOUSE are a living, breathing testament to the notion that when an organization is centered around a thoughtful and attainable goal—staffed by competent, bright and passionate individuals—there is very little... read more ›
– Mehran Ghaffarsamar , MOUSE Intern, Baruch College
Our MOUSE Squad students are demonstrating leadership skills, learning about responsibilities and how to communicate with adults. This program is inspiring our students and giving them a glimpse of future career opportunities. read more ›
– Carla Haakma, Principal, Los Arboles Elementary School, California
MOUSE Squad students learn many skills frequently cited by employers as keys to success in the workplace, including leadership, communication, teamwork problem solving and time management. read more ›
– Jan Half, Executive Director, MOUSE Squad of California
We recognize that student attendance and graduation are increasingly important issues facing public schools. We are looking to target specific schools as we have seen the TechCrew program have a positive impact in... read more ›
– Victor Herrera, Director of Technology, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Chicago
For our school, MOUSE Squad plays an integral role in supporting our technology, saving us both time and money. But more importantly, students participate in positive experiences that give them a strong... read more ›
– Seth Hubbert, Faculty Coordinator, High School for Arts & Technology
What excites me most about MOUSE Squad is going to fix computers and hanging out with friends. I really think MOUSE Squad pushes you to try and learn new things. read more ›
– Danielle Jacobs, MOUSE Squad Member, Cooper High School, Abilene Texas
I feel like I'm a part of an important team that keeps the school running more efficiently...Being on TechCrew helps improve the leadership qualities that we, as students, are developing for the future. read more ›
– Edwin Le, Northside College Preparatory High School, Chicago
MOUSE has been able to light my path of maturity. Being shown everything I can do, and looking back at everything I’ve been a part of, I now realize what I want... read more ›
– Ryan Mason, MOUSE Squad Alum, School of the Future
MOUSE Squad has taught me the skills I need for the future. read more ›
– Ismelda Monegro, Bea Fuller Rodgers School, New York
MOUSE brought me where I stand today and gave me real life work experience. MOUSE taught me about leadership and teamwork, and that there is no such thing as a bad idea. read more ›
– Dhondup Namgyal, MOUSE Corps Member, International High School
The MOUSE Squad students are very curious and want to learn. Everyone knows about the MOUSE Squad in this school. read more ›
– Emmanuel Ourum, CUNY Intern, PS 43 MOUSE Squad
Leadership, pride, self confidence and a sense of responsibility -- this is the impact of the MOUSE Squad program on our students. read more ›
– Norma Perez, Principal, Bea Fuller Rodgers School, New York
MOUSE Squad has proven time and again that students who graduate after participating are more equipped for the next stage in their lives, especially in today’s vast information technology world. This program... read more ›
– Christine C. Quinn, Speaker, New York City Council
Thanks to Abilene Independent School District (AISD) for incorporating such a program and major kudos to Nathan Monroe, MOUSE Squad Coordinator, ATEMS. He actively leads a group that daily makes the teacher’s lives... read more ›
– Rebecca Rampy, Instruction Technology Specialist, Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (ATEMS) in Abilene, Texas
MOUSE empowers students to lead and support the use of technology in their schools, while also helping them to discover their creative, technological, and learning potential. read more ›
– Linda G. Roberts, National Consultant on Technology and Education
I thank MOUSE for starting my career. Without MOUSE, I would not be as successful as I am today. read more ›
– Mendy Rodriguez, MOUSE Squad Alum; Junior Analyst, IT Service Desk, Time Inc.
Thanks to efforts of MOUSE, young people throughout New York City will have the opportunity to better their lives and become productive members of our society.
– Charles E. Schumer, United States Senator for New York
I commend MOUSE for improving the educational opportunities for young people, motivating them to attend college and preparing them for high quality jobs in the future. read more ›
– José E. Serrano, Congressman, 16th District of New York
Watching MOUSE Squad grow from a pilot to an established entity has been a thrilling experience. I’ve seen my students grow from tentative kids, virtually afraid of touching machines, to savvy technicians,... read more ›
– Kiri Soares, Principal, Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women
MOUSE has provided life changing experiences for me that have added tremendously to my passion for technology… regardless of the company or industry, you will always need technology and the skills we learn... read more ›
– Leroy Tindi, MOUSE Squad Alum, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy
We try to focus on career readiness, laying the foundation and opening their eyes to careers they might consider in the future. I tell my students that if they want to be... read more ›
– Matthew Valia, MOUSE Squad Coordinator, Berta A. Drefus School
MOUSE is an excellent example of rethinking how to put students at the center of their own learning and reorganizing schools around their motivations and strengths. read more ›
– Arthur VanderVeen, Chief of Innovation Strategy and Policy, NYC Department of Education
Through the CPS TechCrew program, I have learned how to explore computers, how to fix problems that are usually deferred to someone else, and what it's like to work on a team that... read more ›
– Simon Vecchioni, CPS TechCrew Member, Northside College Prep High School, Chicago
I believe strongly in public education and the opportunity it can and should provide to all. MOUSE provides a valuable service, closing the gap between heavily resourced schools and those in underserved areas. read more ›
– Peter Vincent, Head of Human Resources, Time Inc.
What excites me most about being part of this program is that I get to interact with other students who share the same goals and who hope to learn more on how to... read more ›
– Monique Williams, Chicago TechCrew Member, Tarkington School of Excellence
MOUSE taught me perspective, a way of working with people and how to think, speak and write in a professional way. read more ›
– Syed Zaidi, MOUSE Squad Alum, Baccalaureate School for Global Education
