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505th Command and Control Wing News

505th Communications Squadron delivers computers to school

  • Published
  • By Noel Getlin
  • 505th Command and Control Wing Public Affairs
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. --  Judging from the smile on John Spolski's face, the Max Bruner Junior Middle School principal, one would have thought it was Christmas morning. 

Instead of Santa Claus, two Airmen from the 505th Communications Squadron came bearing gifts in the form of computers. 

On Oct 16th, Staff Sgt. Terrance Walker and Senior Airman Grace Blazado delivered nine computers to the school of 860 students, complete with new hard drives, monitors, keyboards, speakers and software. The computers were donated by the squadron, a subordinate unit of the 505th Command and Control Wing, as part of the Department of Defense's Computers for Learning program. 

"The textbooks now come with a CD that includes study guides, activities, online tests and some even read the chapters to the kids," said Mr. Spolski. "Some families don't have computers. It's been a tough year for the kids." 

Prior to delivery, Mr. Mike Sage and Jeffrey Fleming, also from the 505 CS, along with Staff Sgt. Walker and Senior Airman Blazado made repairs to the computers and installed new hard drives and software over several weekends. 

Bob Welch, organizer of the program for the 505 CS, said the computers are part of the ongoing donation effort by the squadron. Mr. Welch was made aware of the loss of funding for computers from his friend, David Sutton, the social studies department chair and sixth-grade teacher at the school. 

"I have a real problem throwing away a serviceable computer when local teachers only get $200 a year toward classroom supplies," Mr. Welch said. 

The computers will be used in a study room and for media needs in classrooms. Students without access to a computer at home can check one out for the school year. The school has plenty of tutorial software to load on the computers. 

Mr. Sutton plans to use one in his classroom so students can research topics with educational software. "The computers will allow us to expand our abilities with teaching and methodology," Mr. Sutton said. "It gives us flexibility. Some students fare better with tactile learning than from a textbook." 

Sergeant Walker is already looking forward to the next time they can make a donation.
"It feels good to know you're making a difference," he said.

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505th Communications Squadron delivers computers to school

  • Published
  • By Noel Getlin
  • 505th Command and Control Wing Public Affairs
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. --  Judging from the smile on John Spolski's face, the Max Bruner Junior Middle School principal, one would have thought it was Christmas morning. 

Instead of Santa Claus, two Airmen from the 505th Communications Squadron came bearing gifts in the form of computers. 

On Oct 16th, Staff Sgt. Terrance Walker and Senior Airman Grace Blazado delivered nine computers to the school of 860 students, complete with new hard drives, monitors, keyboards, speakers and software. The computers were donated by the squadron, a subordinate unit of the 505th Command and Control Wing, as part of the Department of Defense's Computers for Learning program. 

"The textbooks now come with a CD that includes study guides, activities, online tests and some even read the chapters to the kids," said Mr. Spolski. "Some families don't have computers. It's been a tough year for the kids." 

Prior to delivery, Mr. Mike Sage and Jeffrey Fleming, also from the 505 CS, along with Staff Sgt. Walker and Senior Airman Blazado made repairs to the computers and installed new hard drives and software over several weekends. 

Bob Welch, organizer of the program for the 505 CS, said the computers are part of the ongoing donation effort by the squadron. Mr. Welch was made aware of the loss of funding for computers from his friend, David Sutton, the social studies department chair and sixth-grade teacher at the school. 

"I have a real problem throwing away a serviceable computer when local teachers only get $200 a year toward classroom supplies," Mr. Welch said. 

The computers will be used in a study room and for media needs in classrooms. Students without access to a computer at home can check one out for the school year. The school has plenty of tutorial software to load on the computers. 

Mr. Sutton plans to use one in his classroom so students can research topics with educational software. "The computers will allow us to expand our abilities with teaching and methodology," Mr. Sutton said. "It gives us flexibility. Some students fare better with tactile learning than from a textbook." 

Sergeant Walker is already looking forward to the next time they can make a donation.
"It feels good to know you're making a difference," he said.