From DPS109 Coordinator of Communications and Community Relations

Cathy Kedjidjian:

Dear District 109 Staff, Families and Community Members,
Turn on WGN-TV Channel 9 at 5:00pm today to see The Hour of Code in action in District 109. WGN reporter Amy Rutledge visited a sixth grade math class at Shepard this morning while students were learning to code. When you see her report, including interviews with staff and students, you’ll definitely understand the excitement about coding!

This week, District 109 is participating in The Hour of Code, a nationwide initiative held during Computer Science Education Week to introduce students to computer coding. Every school in the District is participating in some way.

In some classes, students worked on brief tutorials and extra activities that teach the basics of coding. Shepard students started on this website created by technology coach Maria Galanis. Other students worked with Scratch. All students who participated learned what it was like to truly create and control the virtual world!

Please visit the resources that our staff and students are using – you may be inspired to do some coding yourself!

The subject of computer science, the topic of coding, and the concept of STEM are all in action planning as part of the Superintendent’s Task Force for Middle Level Education.

Click here for a link to the Board Briefs which will take you to the presentation from the Task Force.

Some words about Computer Coding: