Portland Press Herald Wednesday, May 31, 2006
By MELANIE CREAMER News Assistant

Students earn computers through community service. Munjoy Hill fifth graders worked all year in an AmericaCorps program. Their hard work has finally paid off. On Thursday, about 20 fifth graders at Adams School on Munjoy Hill will receive computers and monitors for their participation in community service projects.

Through Bridging the Gap with Youth and Computers, an AmeriCorps VISTA project sponsored by the East End Time Bank, students performed tasks in exchange for "Time Dollars." Students earned one time dollar for every hour they worked. They used their earnings for enrichment programs such as class field trips, guest speakers and activities at the school. "Time dollars allow people not just to receive but to be able to contribute their own skills," said Judith McAllister, coordinator of the project and a member of AmeriCorps VISTA. "All year long, the teachers find things for the kids to do. Some kids give up their recess to earn Time Dollars. They are given a bit of ownership in their school and they are learning to be aware." Students, businesses and community members will be recognized for their participation in the project at a luncheon Thursday at the Village Cafe in Portland. Kids who participated in the program will receive a refurbished computer. This year, TD Bank-north donated 20 IBM Pentium 4 computers, valued at nearly $4,000. Time Warner Cable also made a donation. The top 16 students who earned the most Time Dollars will receive printers. McAllister said this project gives low-income students an opportunity to have better access to technology. "The children will be getting very good, fast and reliable computers. Homes that have no computers will now have one. These kids will get a head start before they reach middle school," McAllister said. The program is in its fourth year. Adams School will close next year and students will be transferred to East End Community School. The student class size will increase from around 25 to 60 next year, equivalent to over two fifth grade classes. McAllister said funding the program may be difficult next year. She is encouraging businesses and other groups to support the program and call Stuart Ray at 874-9868. News Assistant Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at: mcreamer@pressherald.com