Kids cops and computers.
Tsomo Chomphel and her mother Dechen Dechen at the Kids, Cops and Computers program orientation on Nov. 14. Each year the Merry Go Round Children’s Foundation hands out hundreds of computers to children across Toronto.
Staff photo/ERIN HATFIELD
Tsomo Chomphel couldn't wait to get home and boot up her new laptop, listen to music by the likes Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez and, of course, work on her school work.
"I'm excited because sometimes me, my brother and my sister, we fight about the computer and who goes first, second or third," said 12-year-old Tsomo. "And now I have a laptop and I can play and do my homework all I want."
Tsomo, who lives in South Parkdale, is just one of a group of Grade 7 students at Parkdale Junior and Senior Public School who received a laptop from Merry Go Round Children's Foundation on Nov. 14 as part of the Kids, Cops and Computers program. Each year the Merry Go Round hands out hundreds of computers to children across Toronto.
But the students don't own these computers just yet.
They must successfully complete the Kids, Cops and Computers program over the course of this school year and when they do, the computer is theirs to keep.
The students are required to attend Lead and Learn sessions facilitated by a police officer. They must also complete two projects using their computer: an essay and a PowerPoint presentation. They must also be responsible for their computer and take good care if it.
Tsomo said she thinks that is a fair trade.
"They have to make sure we are responsible for the laptops and then they will know we are suitable to have it," she said.
The Merry Go Round Children's Foundation has been running the Kids Cops and Computers program for 14 years and this is the third year it has been at Parkdale Public School.
This year they are handing out 300 computers to students across Toronto who are selected by the program.
Clayton Shold, the executive director of the program, said students who are accepted into the program present leadership traits, have a passion for learning and have limited access to technology and/or financial need.
"One of the things I would like you to do is give me a commitment to thank your teachers by getting good grades," Shold said to the students. "Nothing makes teachers happier than to see their students succeed."
If the students successfully complete the program, they are invited to the Inspiration Event in May where they are recognized for their achievements and the computers officially become theirs.
In past years, students were paired with a police officer as an e-buddy, but Shold said this changed this year because of the number of students involved.