Laptop Program

Marquez is bringing students to the Digital Edge—an exciting, high-tech initiative that puts laptop computers directly in students’ hands beginning in the 2006-07 school year. Friends of Marquez has provided the brand new Apple MacBook laptops on a 2:1 ratio for grades 1-5. Kindergarten classrooms will have multiple new iMac computers to enable even the youngest learners to explore the technical world and use computers to further enrich their creative thinking.

The Digital Edge program will fully-integrate computers into the existing curriculum. All classrooms will have wireless Internet access, which will allow teachers to enhance their lessons with the vast resources available online. Studying marine life? Students will be able to immediately access photos of different species and habitats and create their own customized keynote presentations. Learning about Monet? Students will be able to take a virtual tour of his artwork, in reality located in museums spread across the globe.

The program will help enrich the learning process, teach 21st century skills and boost productivity for both teachers and students. Students are able to work independently at their own pace, using interactive math, science and language arts software programs, turn in homework on-line and create videos and presentations to enhance their homework assignments. For example, teachers are able to grade some assignments online, freeing up their time for more productive purposes.

This year promises to be an amazing journey for the Marquez community. The teachers and administration are excited to be working together with Friends of Marquez to bring this program to our children. Please be sure to visit the classrooms this year and experience this with us.

To help students pursue the school’s academic goals, and in support of the school’s academic mission, parents may purchase computers and related equipment at special pricing for their students attending the school and participating in the student laptop initiative. Parents are limited to purchasing one computer per student (per academic year), and purchases must be made from a custom online Apple Store designed to support the school’s parent purchase program at www.apple.com/edu/marquez. For purchases not related to the school’s academic mission, please visit the Apple Store at www.apple.com/store. This offer is limited to qualified participants of an education purchase program. Products and prices are subject to change without notice.