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We need your help!
Chaparral Elementary needs to replace the broken and antiquated computer systems and update the wireless networking services! Our goal is to fix the network and replace 95 computers throughout the school.
To make a donation, Click on the Links Below
Currently, the computers at the school are so old they are not supported by the district and can’t be fixed or upgraded. Likewise, the aging network is no longer fully compatible with current technology. Classroom time is being wasted. The password must be typed in again and again by a teacher or administrator, as the kids are not allowed to have the passwords.
The Numbers
The school has scraped together and set aside about $15,000 of the $23,000 needed for the network, leaving an $8,000 deficit. As far as computers go, the replacement models will be current iMac desktop systems and will come preloaded with Microsoft Office productivity software. The school needs 35 computers for the lab, as well two for each classroom, totaling 95 computers. The total cost for the computers & software is $104,500, which when added to the network works out to $112,500.
Because this is such a substantial number, we are asking that you and/or your company consider making an extraordinary gift to Chaparral Elementary this year. Below are three suggested donations and what they will purchase:
- $100 will purchase software & accessories for one iMac
- $550 will purchase ½ a computer
- $1099 a full system (cpu/moniter/software/accessories)
And as always, any gift amount would be enormously appreciated. For example $42 will purchase Microsoft Office for a computer. Each donation is fully tax-deductible for federal and state income tax purposes. A donation in the amount of a full system will have “This computer donated by [company or family name]” permanently engraved on the front of the computer.
Recognition
Any company or family who purchases a full system for the school ($1099) will:
- Have their name engraved on the front of the computer.
- Be thanked in every list-serve email for the entire year.
- Have their name stenciled on the screen of 1 of 100 computers, which will be located on an external wall facing Sienna.
Donations of ½ a computer will share an engraving with another business or family.
Everyone who donates will be acknowledged with a mention in the upcoming yearbook. Additionally, each donation will be acknowledged with a personalized note of thanks that accompanies the donation receipt.
Benefits
Replacing the computers will provide Chaparral students with immediate access to up-to-date technology for:
- learning computer skills
- research and reporting required for educational assignments
- reinforce and test basic skills such math facts, telling time, counting money, etc.
- contemporary skills like editing video or creating PowerPoint presentations
Chaparral has a long history of using computers to facilitate teaching because using great software and enriching websites keeps the children engaged. The school was created as a technology school and led the way in Ladera Ranch and CUSD with its laptop program.
A testament to having great teachers who use technology is the school’s state test composite score of 939, the highest in the community. Chaparral has earned a 10 out of 10 state school rank. However, the technology at the school has become outdated and outmoded. We need to make the investment back into our school so the teachers can focus on teaching with the tools they’ve successfully used over the past 10 years to make Chaparral best in class.
DONATION LINKS
Click here for the Online Payment Form to donate via Credit Card
A secure website will be launched to process your payment. LREF uses a 3rd Party (ejoinme.org) to handle online payments and does not store any credit card information. There is a $10 minimum for credit card donations.
Mail In Form
Print the donation form and drop it off at the school’s front office or mail it to:
CES Technology Fundraiser, Chaparral Elementary School
29001 Sienna Parkway
Ladera Ranch, CA 926943
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if we don’t raise all of the required money?
If we are unable to raise all of the money required to perform a full implementation of the plan, we will prioritize all donations to effect the necessary network upgrades and buy new computers for the lab and as many classrooms as possible.
Why isn’t this/hasn’t this been funded by the district?
The annual operating budget for discretionary items at Chaparral Elementary is not enough to cover the cost technology so money has been budgeted for other programs and expenses. As indicated, the anticipated cost of this implementation will be approximately $127,500. Of that, the school has raised $15,000 from the PTA and other donations. As you may know, the state budget crises and the effect on CUSD’s budget has been teacher layoffs, approximately at 10% cut in teacher pay and furlough days. CUSD simply does not have the resources to fix our schools network or replace the aging computers. The have said they do not even have the resources to service or upgrade our current systems because they are so old.
I purchased a laptop for my child, why should I make a donation?
We implore you, consider making a donation because it’s the right thing to do. Let’s face it, the laptop program has had the unintended consequence of allowing Chaparral to let its computer systems age beyond their useful life.
There are two serious issues you should consider, even if you’ve already purchased a laptop. First, unfortunately, 30% of 3rd through 5th graders do not have laptops. We must ensure all students have the same access to technology since it plays a central role in education at Chaparral. Without available systems, we will have an unequal situation, which would put the laptop program in jeopardy. By reaching our goal, we will have two computers in every classroom plus a functioning lab.
Second, the aging network gear is having a direct impact on the children who have laptops ability to access the Internet. The network needs to be fixed so it’s once again fully compatible with current technology.
Why not PC instead of Mac?
After giving this issue a great deal of thought, the administration, after discussing this with the faculty, has decided to continue with the Apple platform for these reasons: reliability, service, and history. The teachers at Chaparral have mastered the software available on the Mac platform, such as iLife, and have integrated it into the curriculum. Students have had success using the platform, partly because Apple strives to simplify things. Also, we think it’s fair to say the school has had a good experience with Mac platform, as the iMac computers have been virus free, reliable and relatively stable.
Can I donate an old computer instead of giving money?
While the intent of such a gift would certainly be appreciated, we can not accept any non-monetary gifts. One of the main ways in which this plan will benefit the school is through the standardization of all machines throughout the school. This will not only enhance the students’ ability to concentrate on learning course materials rather than the layout and operation of a unique system, but we anticipate that it will also serve to reduce maintenance costs in future years as well as provide some limited economies of scale when purchasing new accessories and/or upgrading the systems in future years.
Can I buy a computer for a specific classroom?
While we encourage you in spirit to purchase an entire system for a particular classroom, in practice we can’t allow for it so that we can distribute the computing resources effectively among all grades and classes. If we allowed purchases to be designated for use only in particular grades or classrooms, we could very easily end up with a situation where one class had 6 new computers and another class had none.
Is any grant money available to assist in this process?
While there may be grant money available through some sources, we have neither the time nor manpower at the school to undertake the grant writing that would be required. Additionally, since this campaign has come together with very little time until the next school year, it is likely that no grant funds could be secured in a timely enough manner. It is something that we will consider in future years and would encourage any person(s) with experience or desire to volunteer to head up such efforts.
What will we do with the old systems?
Because of the age of the current systems, they will have no residual value for sale or for donation to other organizations. The plan is to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly manner that emphasizes recycling of the existing components.