COOL SCHOOL OF THE YEAR PARTY "@" McGehee
Students and VIPs enjoy awards assembly and $10,000
[ VIEW COOL SCHOOL OF THE YEAR PARTY PHOTOS ]
(McGehee, Ark.)-Cool students, cool teachers, cool parents, cool awards, cool balloons and cool refreshments - what do all these things have in common? They were all part of the "Cool School of the Year" ceremony that recently honored McGehee Elementary school as the coolest school in the nation for their outstanding Web site. The site can be viewed at http://se.sesc.k12.ar.us/mcgehee/index.htm.
Education WorldŽ, the world's best education Web site (FamilyPC) and search engine on the Internet, and Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, sponsored the Cool School of the Year program to honor high-tech students, advisers and the best school Web site.
The awards ceremony was March 31, at First Baptist Church in McGehee. Dr. Tommy Cunningham, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, served as master of ceremonies for the event. More than 600 students, teachers, staff and administrators attended the awards presentation. Guests included U.S. Congressman Jay Dickey; McGehee Mayor Bain Poole; State Department of Education representative Mary Jo Barnett; Vice President of Arkansas Division of Potlatch Corporation Harry Seamans; and many parents and interested community members.
Amber Reaves, 6th Grade Students, welcomed everyone to the ceremony. She was followed by Paula Rawls, Director of McGeheeElementary, who extended her welcome to the attendees and honorees.
Steve Sandis, Cisco's manager of education Web strategy, presented the school with $10,000 in networking equipment for their achievement. He expressed his praise and honor to the students and those involved with the award-winning Web site. "I am 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."
Many students participated in the ceremony. The 6th grade choir sang two songs and second grader Chris Ross, lead the school in the pledge of allegiance. Several other students read letters of congratulations from President Bill Clinton, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator Blanche Lincoln and several other prominent figures.
Weekly, Education World recognizes a "Cool School of the 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. Even though these schools span the country, they all have a common bond -understanding and implementing the power of the Internet.
Education World's Cool School staff (http://www.education-world.com) reviews hundreds of school Internet Web sites from across the country and picks those that best exemplify the criteria for Cool School of the Week. This coveted award is given to school Web sites that best illustrate visual appeal, creativity, originality, community involvement, use of technology, value to the students and school, use of curriculum on-line and practical applications in the educational setting.
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, USA Today Education, Apple Computer, Pepsi Co., Internet publication writers, American Fidelity and other organizations.
"The students work together as a team creating their on-line resource which brings together both the school and the community," said Rob York, executive producer of Education World. "They put a lot of time and work into creating these sites. These students are the best of the best and will be much more marketable workers from this exposure to the Web."
York continued about the second annual Cool School, "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. We are pleased to honor all the finalists' accomplishments and hard work."
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 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."
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). 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 Karla Mickey at kmickey@educationworld.com, or call (405)416-7837.
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