THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9405280186
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHARON LAROWE, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: 940602 LENGTH: Medium
Steve Coplon, a parent and long-time volunteer at the school, was asked to help sponsor the initial Computer Learning Month activities.
{REST} Only a week into the celebration, he realized that approximately 90 percent of the families at the school do not own a home computer.
Coplon, a computer consultant and president of Medical Office Automation Inc., felt the importance of starting a family computing program in the school's computer lab after hours. Principal Lillian Brinkley whole-heartedly agreed with his proposal.
``Schools shouldn't be closed at 3 p.m.,'' she said. ``There's just too much to do and too much to learn for them to close at that time.''
Since then, each Wednesday night has brought 20 to 40 parents and their children flooding into Willard's lab from 6 to 8 p.m. to gain individual, hands-on computing experience during Family Computing Night.
For Coplon, the charity of learning starts at home. Two children, Andrew, 8, and Lindsey, 6, already can find their way around a computer keyboard. The youngest, still in diapers, will be starting computer literacy soon, Coplon said.
Assisted by Andrew, he teaches children and parents everything from booting the computer and loading floppy disks to the basics of DOS computer language.
As his son hurried from computer to computer loading programs, Coplon whispered that Andrew would be receiving the Family Computing Student of the Year award at the awards ceremony that night.
``He can solve anybody's problems,'' Coplon said. ``He teaches (the visitors) everything. It's amazing.''
Third-grade teacher Doreatha White, technology contact for Willard, said the program has sold itself. ``Once you get them coming, they come back,'' she said.
Jackie Perry and her father, Edward, came each week to play their favorite computer games. The Perrys were honored as Family of the Year.
With the award were added two monthlong scholarships to FutureKids, a computing center in Virginia Beach.
Lou Vescio, owner of FutureKids, says computing is the least understood but most important skill taught in schools today. To continue the learning, Vescio donated three scholarships for the program's awards.
Frankie Ozvart, 63, arrived just in time to put his name in the drawing and win the last scholarship. Even though Ozvart has no children at Willard, he and his wife have been accompanying their neighbor, 10-year-old Brandon Willis, to Family Computing Night.
Ozvart has learned how to work on computers along with Brandon.
White said the school approaches learning through a partnership between the community, teachers, and parents.
Coplon doesn't think it's the technology alone that is reaching the children.
``It's not the technology, it's the parents working with the kids to get them there - the time (spent) working with the kids,'' he said.
His time spent with the school program will be extended when Coplon starts a similar program at Jacox Elementary School in the fall. Willard's program will convene again in the fall.
by CNB