Donated Computers Turn After Schoolers Into Bloggers With A Cause In Mt. Kisco

Through the generosity of one very community minded individual, the Mt.Kisco Childcare After School Program found itself the recipient of five brand new PCs.As the computers appeared, excitement emerged among students and staff.But as the tech was tweaking us toward operation, anxiety replaced my excitement as a teacher at the center.How where we going to put our little neural net to good use?

Duh, you’re a writer Rich, they have something called blogs that makes everybody a journalist now.But who really wants to write unless you’re getting paid.

People who call themselves bloggers, I guess.

I didn’t want to set that precedent with my kids.I decided, we’re going to generate some cash.(MKCCC a nonprofit, we’d have to follow suit and donate the proceeds).

Before getting into the business model, let’s begin with content.I see a soccer game breakout in the backyard or one of our Feed me Fresh cooking projects begins, I hand somebody the camera.If the lucky child happens to be an older, she must blog a story to go with the photo.

So if you ask 4th grader Kiduce Daniel, who drew the first assignment with his friend Stephen Mains to report on the shinny tomatoes grown in our garden, he’s perfectly honest on what he likes most about the arrival of the computers.“Playing all the computer games,” he says without hesitation.

Why not and are we any different when it comes to work and play?

An educational innovator I sarcastically tell myself, I tie the two together.“You want to play, you got to pay.Do a story and the games are yours,” I tell them.

I need to get better at this inspiration thing, and bringing them the jar with 76 cents accumulated, ain’t quite it either.Stephen’s Mom Kris isn’t so worried about that as MKCCC’s kids can be just as mum about their days as any others.“I’m excited to get the latest – especially the pictures – because it gives me a snapshot of what my kids are doing that day,” she says.

The center’s director of curriculum concurs and goes that one better.“It’s a great way for parents to see that the things that go on here go beyond this just being a place to keep their kids busy,” says Dawn Meyerski.

And maybe a little in print publicity produces enough inspiration that the bloggers ask for the camera rather than the keys to the click that begins their games.“Any encouragement is good, because it feels good to know your work is being recognized,” says Meyerski

Why not, are they any different than us? I don’t know, maybe they will be.

By clicking the link at the end of each blog entry, a page view is recorded for that specific article on my Associated Content dashboard.This amounts to .16 cents per click.I bring the pennies in everyday and click them into a little glass jar.Once reaching $25 dollars, the money will be lent to Kiva.org, which is a microfinancing organization.Meaning, we will go to the website, chose a small business from a developing country and get the money back just like any loan.At that point, we will relend or donate to another charity.

If you’d like to get on my email list or have suggestions to bring more traffic, my email is rmonetti@aol.com.

Blog

http://mkcccblog.blogspot.com/
 

Article Written by richmonetti

I write and quite well


Post Your Comment

Related Articles

  • Harrison Goalie Thrives On The Action

    Harrison Goalie Jackie Fonseca knows that even when the play is breaking away from her end of the soccer field she has to be on her toes. “At any given moment, anything can happen,” she says. But the randomness obviously increases as the action bears down on her and being open to the added intensity plays a big part in closing down attacker after attacker.


    “When you make a big save and the crowd goes, Oh my God, how did you do that,” says the senior captain, “It’s worth the pressure.”

  • Kids Make Creature Connections At The Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    On Saturday, assistant curator Anthony Cogswell connected little creatures to a group of about 20 enthusiastic children at the Trailside Museum in Pound Ridge. In his "Creature Connections" presentation Mr. Cogswell was hoping to give the children an understanding of how animals are tied to their habitats, other animals and people.

  • Two Sided Career Of Danbury, Connecticut Songwriter

    Lara Herscovitch wrote her first song when she was eight, and as if it flows through her veins, the inclination to pen music to the guitar and piano has followed her ever since. On the other hand, turning this natural calling to a career took some circumventing across not only several career choices but also across the globe.

  • Fox Lane High School Students Conduct Scientific Research Of Their Own In Bedford

    Scientists have found that excessive buildup of brain plaque brings on Alzheimer’s. If you’re a high school student with dreams of being a scientist, and the subject interests you, a high speed connection gives you access to unlimited amounts of information. Generating some data of your own, though, will unfortunately have to wait for advanced degrees and stewardship under a hierarchical team of researchers. That’s unless you are enrolled in Fox Lane High School’s Science Research Program in Bedford.

  • The First Lego League At Pace University

    Beginning in October, nine to 14 year olds from all over Westchester gave up Saturdays and assorted weekdays in exchange for an activity that might seem more suited for preschoolers - building with Legos. Only their participation in the First Lego League, which culminated in a regional competition at Pace University on March 13, ranks far from child's play.

  • Proposed Recycling Plan In Bedford Would Move Town Forward On Emissions But Set Businesses Back

    On Tuesday, March 19th, the town of Bedford held an open working session on the issue of recycling and proposed moving toward a town wide disposal program known as“Single Stream.”

  • Camping Challenges For Children And Adults Help Build Teamwork, Perseverance And Character


    After a day of Dog Sled and Ski in the Minnesota north country, the night sky might not seem so note worthy when you consider the temperature can drop to 30 below. "People look up and are amazed by the beauty of the stars, I don't even know how to describe it," says Outward Bound instructor Suellen Sack. It helps that specially designed sleeping bags can move the temperature much further along the other side of scale but beyond that the conveniences pale in comparison to the challenge.

  • Westchester Exceptional Children’s School In North Salem Believes Every Student Needs To Belong

  • Human Rights Institute At Manhattanville College

    When Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat on an Alabama Bus, “she didn't know,” said Sleepy Hollow Junior Sophie Parens, but before anyone realized it, the small role she took, played a big part in changing the world. So could sum up a large part of the discussion and intent of the 10th annual Human Rights Institute for High School Student Leaders at Manhattanville College on March 16th.

  • Ardsley FastPitch Pitcher Excels In Sports And School

    Senior Madi Dinaso is a three sport standout at Ardsley. Closing her career with 12 of Ardsley’s 15 wins, the star pitcher dreams of playing softball in college, but not at the expense of what’s truly important.

    I’ve been looking at division three schools in New England with very good academic programs because that’s what matters to me most, says the soccer, softball and basketball player.