Bronxville School Commended by the White House for Increasing Computer Science Curriculum

By Plamena Quintavalla, Bronxville School Reporter for Syntax                       

Dec. 21, 2016:  The Bronxville Union Free School District was acknowledged in a White House press release on December 5 for its continued efforts to provide computer science education to all students by implementing new computer science programs and expanding its course offerings.

The announcement coincided with the beginning of Computer Science Education Week and the international Hour of Code event that served as an introduction to computer programming. During the week, Bronxville students in kindergarten through twelfth grade engaged in a variety of coding exercises that exposed them to the science of computer programming.

"Computer science is an important language for students to experience," said Technology Director Jennifer Forsberg. "In many cases, students are just the consumers of technology, but we'd like to prepare them to become creators and provide them with opportunities to learn about the different aspects of it."

The district was acknowledged for its efforts, which were influenced, in part, by President Obama's call to action to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn computer science. Given the growing demand for computer science knowledge and coding skills, the President encouraged schools and districts nationwide to implement new computer science programs or expand course offerings.

This year, the Bronxville schools partnered with the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center to bring in a coding consultant who teaches students in kindergarten through second grade how to code. The Bronxville School Foundation generously funded the learning opportunity. Meanwhile, Brad Ashley, the district's K-12 instructional technology specialist, has been teaching coding to students in third through fifth grade.

"Having our youngest students learn coding and computer science this year is very exciting," Forsberg said. "We now have 100 percent participation in the elementary school. Coding and computer science can start at any age, and we're thrilled to support our youngest learners to be innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers."

While computer science is already part of the curriculum for students in sixth through twelfth grade, high school students have access to additional course offerings this year.

"We anticipate more growth and opportunities for our students," Forsberg added. "We are also upgrading the middle school curriculum to include more coding, robotics, and physical computing."

Pictured here:  Bronxville Elementary School students engaged in a variety of coding exercises during the Hour of Code.

Photo courtesy The Bronxville School