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60 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, September 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 1, 2003 PCs needed for Talent Middle School By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune TALENT — A local couple who refurbish old computers for children are spearheading a project to help Talent Middle School build a computer lab. Talent residents Jodi and Jerry Yap, who founded the nonprofit organization Computers 2 Kids, have acquired six computers for the middle school lab but need 24 more to complete the project. They are asking community members to donate modern, working computers. "The computers they’re using were obsolete 20 years ago," said Yap. "We’ve been given this mission, and we’re going to make it happen." Advertisement Computers 2 Kids has refurbished hundreds of computers for schools and children’s organizations since it began in 1997 under the auspices of the city enhancement committee. The Yaps operate the organization out of their Talent home and have a pool of more than 30 volunteers who rebuild computers that were donated by community members and install them at various locations. On Wednesday, volunteers wired a computer system and created a lab for Grace Lutheran School in Ashland. The group hopes to complete the Talent Middle School lab project by Sept. 10, if not earlier. "The kids really need to have that dedicated computer lab," said Don Wolff, technology coordinator for the Phoenix-Talent District. "Without one, (students) would be at a disadvantage." Wolff said with a computer lab, middle school students will be able to take state assessment tests online. Students who take tests on-line have three chances to improve their scores, while students who take the written test can try only once. "With online testing, there’s no paper that the state has to ship down to us, and that’s a huge savings," he added. In addition, a computer lab will allow students to research projects and complete homework assignments. Middle school students last year raised nearly $8,000 for the computer lab. That money will be used to defray installation and wiring costs and pay for a main server. All that’s required now are the computers for students, along with keyboards, mice and monitors. The needs at Talent Middle School are very specific, said Yap. She asks that residents donate only PC computers no older than five years old. Donated computers, parts or accessories must be in working condition. To donate a computer or make a cash donation to the project, contact the Yaps by e-mail at [email protected] or call 535-3105. Reach reporter Jill Briskeyat 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities