Rollingwood gets computer makeover

Rollingwood Elementary School in San Bruno just got the capabilities to become more tech-savvy after winning a $25,000 computer makeover thanks to a sweepstakes fifth grader Jake Sarnecky entered with his mom in January.

Sarnecky didn't go out of his way to enter the Ultimate Windows Vista Celebration Sweepstakes for a $25,000 computer lab makeover at the CompUSA in San Bruno. He went with his mom, Cynthia Bell-Sarnecky. She is a second grade teacher at Junipero Serra Elementary in Daly City.

"My principal, Terry Gavin, just said she knew one of our teachers would win. When I told her my son won, she said her thoughts weren't specific enough," said Bell-Sarnecky, who entered her name as well as her children's into the drawing.

The money means 20 laptop or desktop computers for the school along with educational software, said Principal Sandy Mikulik. Earlier this year, the school purchased 31 new computers thanks to a grant to update the computer lab. The new computers are currently being set up. Mikulik recently announced a personal goal to create a more tech-friendly curriculum in the classroom. The sweepstakes money could be the ticket to seeing this goal.

Two possibilities are being considered: a laptop cart or projectors that hook up to computers. The laptop cart would allow students to work on presentations in the classroom instead of booking time in the computer lab. Also, many of the older students use PowerPoint presentations for reports.

These new technologies would allow the students to share their work in the class, she said.

Mikulik had plans of purchasing projectors that connect to a computer for use in the classrooms. This money could be used to buy additional projectors.

"Technology in the classroom is a tool to enhance learning. It helps us show the students what we're talking about. If they're learning about weather we can show them a hurricane with live streaming video. They can see rain and snow and sleet. That's different for students who are just used to seeing sun, rain and fog," said Mikulik.

Teachers are currently submitting their preference for the use of the money. When the technology is brought to the school, tech support will also be provided.

Sarnecky, 10, was shocked when he won. He said laptops would help with his reports. He has a lot of reports.