School supply lists have changed dramatically at St. Joachim School. For 8th graders, the Class of 2008, one of the items on their lists will be a brand new Apple iBook. St. Joachim students will be the first elementary school students in the Diocese of Oakland to experience the benefits of a new, innovative initiative- One-to-One Laptops. This year the school will initate phase one of a three year implementation plan. In this first year our current 8th graders will recieve computers. In year two both 7th and 8th grade students will have laptops and by the third year of implementation all students in grades 6-8 will have a laptop. Eventually St. Joachim school students will get to keep their laptops upon graduation.

Several years ago, principal Armond Seishas, fomed a committe to begin research on the use of laptops in the classroom to enhance student learning. After reading much literature and research about the benefits of such a program, meeting with representatives from Apple Computers, visiting schools with similar programs, and working out the details with the finance committee and school board, the decision was made to proceed with the program. Last August, each teacher was given an iBook as step one of the program. In addition, teachers participated in extensive training from Apple Computer professional development. The goal of these advances is to prepare our students to be life-long learners in the 21st century. Giving all students access to information and resources at school and at home will "level the playing field" between those that have computers and those that do not. In addition, research has shown that students of today learn differently than students of even 10 years ago. Young people today are"wired" differently- they are Digital Natives and as a result, the school has a responsibility to provide the type of instruction that meets students where they are.

Moreau Catholic and Bishop O'Dowd high schools have also implemented One-to-One programs. Starting the laptop program in elementary school will ensure that our students are ready for high school and beyond. St. Joachim introduced the program at a February parents meeting. Eighth graders will receive their laptops in mid-Septemeber.