Parker High School in Janesville Wins 'Cool School' Award
Cited for innovative Web site
Education World®, the world’s leading educational resource and
search engine on the Internet, is recognizing Parker High School (PHS)
as the “Cool School of the Week” during the week of September
7, 1998, for their outstanding school Web site.
The honored site can be viewed at http://www.inwave.com/schools/Parker/.
Every week Education World (http://www.education-world.com)
reviews hundreds of school Internet Web sites from across the country
and picks the best site for the new Cool School of the Week. This award
is given to school Web sites that best illustrate several qualities: visual
appeal, creativity, originality, community involvement or connection,
use of technology, value to the students and school, use of curriculum
on-line and practical applications in the educational setting.
“Our
main goal is to use Internet resources to teach more efficient methods
of research.” |
Dave Figi, computer teacher and Web coordinator for Parker High, knows
the power of the Internet. With every computer lab at PHS networked to
the Internet, Figi is harnessing this power by assisting students to design
and maintain a presence for Parker throughout the world via the World
Wide Web.
“The school homepage allows teachers to individualize their subject
area with motivational information sources, making information searches
more efficient,” said Figi. “Our main goal is to use Internet
resources to teach more efficient methods of research.”
Figi cited examples of Internet use in the classroom. PHS counselors
and English teachers coordinate a career planning research paper utilizing
Internet resources. Foreign language teachers also communicate with native
speakers in other countries.
Students at PHS know much more than just how to “surf the Web.”
They are actively involved in writing, researching, page development and
even original artwork for the Web site.
Senior Jon Wittlieff started the Internet project in February 1996 and
continues work on the site. Parker’s site is unique because it covers
many activities and provides useful information and links for many subjects
to students, Janesville residents and people around the world.
Library Media Specialist at Parker, Helen Bifano, described the Web site
as an excellent educational resource for the school and the community.
She said, “It supports the Parker mission statement, continuous growth
plan and the School District’s Beyond 2000.”
Bifano expressed her pleasure with Figi’s involvement with the Internet,
“He has been a pioneer in developing and creating an excellent Web
site.”
Echoing Bifano’s excitement about the project is John Eyster, teacher
of advanced placement United States Government at PHS. He explained the
“Washington Seminar” link on the PHS homepage.
“We created this section to help inform voters in Janesville about
the candidates for the fall campaign season. A major purpose of this section
is to educate the general public and encourage active citizenship in our
republican democracy.”
Figi realizes that PHS’ presence on the Internet allows Parker an
avenue to communicate instantaneously with people both internally and
across the globe. He said, “We are able to communicate the positives
that occur at Parker as well as give our students an outside window to
information anywhere in the world.”
Cool School award winners at PHS will receive exclusive Cool School T-shirts
and mouse pads, two commemorative plaques, Cool School award certificates,
plus a Cool School award winner button for their Web site. All Cool School
award winners are also eligible to win the title of “Cool School
of the Year.”
“The students work together as a team to create a great on-line
resource that brings together both the school and the community,”
said Rob York, president of Education World. “They put a lot of time
and work into creating these sites. We are honored to be able to recognize
them for their hard work and achievements.”
Nominations for Cool School awards are accepted on the Education World
Web site (http://www.education-world.com).
Any student-supported Web site may be nominated.
Education World’s Cool School program is sponsored by Cisco Systems,
Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), a worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.
Sponsorship of Education World is one part of Cisco’s corporate-wide
initiative to provide the benefits of Internet access and international
communication in today’s classrooms.
For more information about Education World, please contact Karla Mickey
at kmickey@education-world.com, or call (405)416-7837.
Posted September 4, 1998