By Plamena Quintavalla, Bronxville School Reporter for Syntax
Apr. 26, 2017: Thirteen Bronxville High School teen technicians who are equipped to support the entire school district and assist their peers and teachers in resolving a wide range of technology issues as members of the Student Help Desk are now certified as Google Educators Level 1.
After receiving formal training and passing a rigorous task-based exam to demonstrate their levels of mastery on the Google platform, they became the first students in the region to obtain the certification, which is usually completed by teachers and technology leaders. Director of Technology Jennifer Forsberg said that the students are well-versed in the Google suite of applications, including Gmail and Google Classroom.
"Our goal was to provide students with opportunities where they can acquire extra skills and apply them when assisting staff members in their capacity as Student Help Desk members or beyond," said Forsberg, who holds certifications as a Google Trainer and Google Administrator. "Our hope is that they inspire others to pursue their passions and interests and also inspire them to think outside the box when it comes to learning."
In addition to the students, instructional technology specialist Brad Ashley also became a Google Certified Educator Level 1. Forsberg said that the district may offer additional certifications for students in the future, including certifications offered by Apple.
Currently, thirteen students are members of the Student Help Desk, a program in its second year that is offered as a full-time course. Through the program, the students are able to investigate a new educational topic each week, explore new interests, and participate in troubleshooting throughout the district. They also maintain a Twitter account and blog on a number of computer science topics.
In addition, those who participated in the program last year but were unable to fit the course into their schedules this year are still able to participate by attending meetings and working on independent projects of their choice centered on the topic of technology.
Forsberg said that the Student Help Desk program is designed to engage students in different aspects of technology and encourage them to be leaders and innovators in their school and greater community, which are skills closely aligned with the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise. They are also able to enhance their collaboration and leadership skills and think critically when walking into a classroom to solve a problem.
For more information on the Student Help Desk, visit www.bxvshd.wordpress.com and follow the student-technicians on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bxvhelpdesk.
Pictured here: Members of the Bronxville School Student Help Desk certified as Google Educators Level 1.
Photo courtesy of The Bronxville School
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
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Bronxville Parking Violations
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Bronxville Fire Deparment
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