5.28.08: Our goal has been met! We have distributed 1,040 computers to Sarasota County students and their families. Thank you to all the trainers, and school staff members who have contributed their time and efforts to make this happen. A special thanks to Ron Zimmerman, for putting in his time, energy,and heart into this program.

5.13.08: As of May 10th, we have distributed 935 computers to Sarasota County students and their families! Our goal of 1,000 computers is right at our fingertips and we are moving ahead full steam! Next week, we have our first alternative school training at Pheonix Academy, where students from Pheonix, Triad, and Infinity Schools will go through the training to receive a laptop computer. In addition, 2nd through 5th graders at Toledo Blade Elementary will be receiving computers from our program the next day, on May 21st.

Once we reach our goal, we're going to celebrate! Check back after that to see where we'll be going with the Texcellence Program in the upcoming school year (after a little break in the summer). Program Coordinator Alina Klein says, "We are delighted that the Texcellence goal of 1,000 computers is being met. This program is a worthy cause. In our next year, we hope to back up our numbers with data on how the computers are impacting the lives of these children. We also want to tighten our selection process, to ensure that every eligible student is aware of the opportunity to receive a computer from the program."

4.2.08: Spring is in the air, and the Texcellence Program is racing to the finish line! We've got two more months and about 300 computers to go to reach our goal. Can we do it? You bet we can! In the coming weeks, we will be having trainings with North Port High School freshmen, Venice Middle and Laurel Nokomis 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, and high schoolers from Booker, Sarasota, and Riverview high schools. We also successfully launched our Texcellence Primary program last week, where 30 second grade students from Emma E. Booker Elementary received eMAC computers and software. We will be targeting elementary schools around the county to get more of these eMACs and iMACs out to first and second grade students.

This past weekend, we distributed about 90 computers to 7th graders from Sarasota, Booker, Brookside, and McIntosh middle schools. Not only was this our biggest turnout yet, but it was also the first distribution in which laptops were given to students! On April 26th, eligible 8th graders from these schools will be going through a similar training to receive their computers.

3.10.08: Computers are being prepared for the Heron Creek Middle School distribution this Saturday, March 15th. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Heron Creek students and their families will go through computer training in order to take home their new computer. Upcoming trainings include Tuttle Elementary students, and a large distribution with Booker Middle, Sarasota Middle, Brookside Middle, and McIntosh Middle 7th graders. We're on our way to reaching 1,000 computers!

2.21.08: Students in the 7th and 8th grades at Brookside Middle, Booker Middle, Sarasota Middle, and McIntosh Middle are being surveyed for the next 7th and 8th grade distributions at Booker Middle. In addition, we are working with high schools to identify students who will be receiving the laptops. Emma E. Booker Elementary has agreed to participate in the pilot for Texcellence Primary, which will start off with 2nd graders. These students will be receiving iMAC computers loaded with educational software that will help them with reading and math.

2.19.08: So far we have given away almost 500 computers and we are steadily moving forward! On March 15th, all eligible 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Heron Creek Middle School will receive a computer from the TeXcellence program! In addition, laptops are being refurbished for distribution to 9th graders at Sarasota High School and Booker High School. Check back soon...there is more news to come!

1.25.08: What have parents been saying about TeXcellence lately? One grandmother of a Tuttle Elementary student was elated at the thought of getting a computer for her granddaughter. "Without a computer", she says, "it takes a lot of time to help my grandkids complete their school assignments. When the teacher assigns something that needs to be done on a computer, we have to go to the library and wait in line. It takes time to sit there with them and I don't know how to use computers myself! Having a computer at home will make life much easier for us."

Another mother approached the TeXcellence program coordinator, Alina Klein, at a recent training and said this, "My daughter received a computer from you a few months ago when you came to her school. She was having problems at the time with writing and spelling before she got the computer. Now, she is at the level she's supposed to be at. Before the computer, she was on a second grade level and now she is caught up to her grade (4th grade). She used the TeXcellence software, like Word Up, to learn her vocabulary words for school, and she was also writing on the word processing program. She is doing much better!"

1.18.08: We have many exciting things happening with the TeXcellence Program! We are in the process of developping a program for our younger students, TeXcellence Primary. The pilot program will consist of refurbishing donated iMAC computers to give out to students in grades K-2. Each computer will be equipped with valuable software that will help students with reading and math. In addition, each student and their parent/guardian will receive 1-2 hours of training on how to effectively utilize their new computer to benefit them in school. A potential training date has been set for March. Check back with us soon for more information! 

In other news, the TeXcellence Program will give out its first batch of laptop computers to 9th grade students! Sarasota High School will be hosting a training for selected 9th graders and their families. At the training, students will learn computer productivity skills, such as preparing spreadsheets and slideshow presentations, as well as how to effectively use the internet to prepare for school assignments.

1.14.08: The TeXcellence Program is in need of computers. Please see our donation specifications page and contact Alina Klein, program coordinator, for more information.

1.11.08: Happy New Year! We are off and running in the new year. This past Thursday, we equipped 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders from Tatum Ridge and Fruitville Elementary with computers. Thank you to Tatum Ridge for hosting the training and providing pizzas and refreshments!

12.18.07: The 6th grade distribution was a success! This past Saturday, about 80 families filled up the Booker Middle School cafeteria to start off the morning of computer training. After listening to introductions by Mike Horan, Director of Instructional Technology for the Sarasota County School District, and Cindy Kaiser, Executive Director of the Education Foundation, the families were assigned to their rooms and received two hours of training on how to set up their computers and use the pre-installed educational software. Now,  almost 400 families have received computers and trainings from the TeXcellence Program.

12.7.07: Over 100 6th grade students and their families from Booker, Brookside, McIntosh, and Sarasota Middle have been invited to the TeXcellence training on December 15th. The training, being hosted by Booker Middle School, will help students and their families learn about their computers and the pre-installed educational software. TeXcellence has distributed over 300 computers to date. We hope to break 400 with this training!

11.16.07: As of November 15th, we have distributed over 250 computers to Sarasota County Students and their families! We are a quarter way to our goal, with a large distribution coming up in December. Help us make this possible by donating any computer equipment that meets our program specifications (please see the "Donation" tab in our menu).

11.2.07: We will be having a large-scale distribution for middle school students in December! Starting this week, we will be surveying 6th and 7th graders at Booker Middle School and McIntosh Middle School to determine who meets program requirements.

10.31.07: As of October 30th, we have given away over 200 computers to every eligible 4th grade student! At this point, every low-income 4th grader in Sarasota County who did not previously have a computer at home should have one! 

9.20.07: Starting on October 4th, we will begin to survey 3rd and 5th grade students and start giving computers to eligible students and their families.

9.15.07: TeXcellence is steadily making its way to providing all elementary school students with computers for their homes. We have been surveying all fourth graders to assess home technology status and from there, we will be providing computers and training to those students from low-income families with no computer at home.  

8.24.07: We have set a schedule for upcoming trainings. Gocio, Wilkinson, Brentwood, and Cranberry Elementary School students will be receiving computers from the TeXcellence program. To see a list of training dates, go to "Training Schedule" under the News section.

8.20.07: Today is the first day back of school for students! We have a list of schools that we are planning on reaching in the next couple of months. Be prepared for trainings at the following elementary schools: Wilkinson, Brentwood, Cranberry, Phillippi Shores, Fruitville, and Tatum Ridge!

8.13.07: Toledo Blade TeXcellence training set Tuesday, August 14th! From 5-7 p.m., selected students and their families will be trained on how to set up their new computers and on how to use the educational software. Also, these families will be the first program participants to receive reduced-price internet through the TeXcellence program!

7.27.07: The Dart Foundation has made a generous donation of $100,000 to the TeXcellence program. With this generous donation, we move forward to attaining our goal of putting 1,000 computers into the homes of Sarasota County students!