(March 5, 1999) New York, L.A., Dallas, McGehee? Most small, rural towns are not known as major technology hubs, but McGehee, Arkansas is quite an exception. Although the town of 6,000 is barely big enough to show up on a U.S. map, it boasts a major stop on the Information Superhighway - the McGehee Elementary School Web site.
Education World® and Cisco Systems are pleased to announce McGehee Elementary School as the 1998 national Cool School of the Year. The school will receive $10,000 worth of Cisco networking equipment and other prizes in an awards ceremony to be scheduled later this month.
Debbie Minchew, McGehee Elementary's Webmaster, noted the importance of using the Internet in the classroom. "The use of the Internet opens up a wide world of information that in the past was only available to much larger schools. Now our students are able to access all types of vital information related to their current course of study.
Minchew continued, "The accessibility of other Internet resources from our own site allows for much more productive research from our students and staff."
A lot of work has gone into the McGehee Web site. Minchew said, "Over a year of research went into the development of the site before the first code was ever written." McGehee's hard work paid off. The school's Web site has received visits from Lieutenant Governor Winthrop P. Rockefeller, various other members of Arkansas Government and other VIP's.
Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, teamed up with Education World to create this special Cool School program. Designed to honor students, schools, teachers, administration and districts, the program rewards participants for creating and maintaining a school's Web presence and integrating the practical applications of technology in their curriculum.
Stephen Sandis, Cisco's manager of education Web strategy, said, "I am very excited about Cisco Systems' involvement in Cool School of the Year because it gives us yet another opportunity to make Cisco's tagline, 'Empowering the Internet Generation,' a reality."
Education World recognizes a "Cool School of the Week" each week to praise students and advisors for going above and beyond in the classroom. From the 1998 winners, five schools were selected as Cool School of the Year finalists. These schools span the country, yet all have a common bond -understanding and implementing the power of the Internet.
The five Web sites in the running for Cool School of the Year included:
Education World's Cool School staff (http://www.education-world.com) choose the school Internet Web sites that best exemplify the following criteria: 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.
Education World's Executive Producer Rob York said, "The school sites continue to become more and more sophisticated, no matter what grade level. This year's winner, an elementary school, proves how students find learning about technology and the Internet exciting -no matter what age, income level or geographic location. We are pleased to honor all the finalists' accomplishments and hard work. I wish they could all be named as our Cool School of the Year."
The Cool School of the Year was determined by a distinguished panel of judges who evaluated each finalist's Web site and by popular vote on the Education World Web site at http://www.education-world.com/cool_school/csoy during February 15 - 27.
Judging was weighed as 30 percent popular vote and 70 percent panel vote. The panel was composed of educational and technical experts from Cisco Systems, Pepsi Co., Internet publication writers, USA Today Education, First USA, American Fidelity Assurance Company, Apple Computer and other organizations.
On a weekly basis, Cool School award winners receive exclusive Cool School T-shirts and mouse pads, two commemorative plaques, Cool School award certificates, plus a Cool School winner button for their Web site. All weekly Cool Schools are entered to win the annual "Cool School of the Year."
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). 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. More information about all of Cisco's education programs is available at http://www.cisco.com/edu.
For more information about Education World, please contact Ryan Dodson at rdodson@educationworld.com or Karla Mickey at kmickey@educationworld.com, or call (405)416-7837.
