Chelmsford Public Schools is Partnering with Code.org
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 — Chelmsford Superintendent Dr. Frank Tiano announced that the Chelmsford Public Schools is teaming up with Code.org to launch a comprehensive expansion of coding in Grades K-5.
The partnership will provide teachers with professional development to help students in grades K-5 learn about computer science in a format that is fun and accessible. Hadi Partovi, the founder of Code.org personally reviewed every application and chose Chelmsford as one of the top 10% to participate in this program. In addition, Code.org is donating the teacher training and materials.
Dr. Marilyn Sweeney coordinates technology curriculum for the Chelmsford Public Schools and is working with Code.org to expand student-coding skills and elementary school computer science education.
“The purpose of technology is to provide a ‘digital window’ into our curriculum and to provide an easily accessible, more engaging way for students to learn. The purpose of coding and computer-science training is to help students not only use technology, but also to develop it”, said Anne-Marie Fiore, the Executive Director for Technology and Information in Chelmsford.
“Our focus is to inspire students to try computer science thereby providing students with increased opportunities for the future,” Fiore stated.
“Teaching students how to code augments their skill set, no matter if they are college or career bound,” Superintendent Frank Tiano said. “In an economy that is growing with digital computing technologies, coding is a crucial skill; one that all students should have an opportunity to learn”, stated Tiano.
The goal of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to support educational innovation and provide 21st century skills that empower students to become successful adults. Chelmsford offers computer programming instruction in Grades 1-12, with several courses in computer programming and computer science at the high school.
For more information on the Chelmsford Public Schools; please visit http://www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us
