Kids, Cops & Computers is more than just about getting a computer, says participant Fuad M.
"It's about meeting new people, trying new things and being involved," he explains.
Like all participants, Fuad was selected to be part of the Kids, Cops & Computers program when he was in Grade Seven. He had to fill a survey and demonstrate how he would benefit from having a brand-new home computer and Toronto Police officer eBuddy.
After attending the launch and receiving his computer, however, he learned that the Program offered much more than a laptop and police mentoring.
"I went to the Everest College training that you had, and that helped me so much," he says. "It explained how to use programs like Excel and Word more deeply."
Though the sessions provided by Everest College were useful, perhaps for Fuad, the most memorable component of the 2010-2011 Kids, Cops & Computers program year was the Impact! contest held in May.
The contest, which was open to all Kids, Cops & Computers participants, asked students to describe the impact that the Program has had on their lives in as creative a way as they wished--and did Fuad get creative!
The 13-year-old wrote and performed a Kids, Cops & Computers rap which earned him first place in the contest.
His video submission was played during Inspiration 2011 and viewed by all the Grade Seven students on the Program.
"I was so shocked to learn that I won the contest and have my video play in front of everybody else. I will always remember that," he recalls.
This summer, Fuad also took advantage of a camp opportunity at Olympia Sports Camp, which was generously made possible by Merry Go Round Board Member, Greg Rogers.
Fuad has one piece of advice for the kids coming on the Kids, Cops & Computers program this year:
"Get involved with all the program activities, because they're really fun."
"Merry Go Round has not only given us a wonderful present, but a chance to be successful. Let's face it; we're a generation that relies on technology. For many people it may seem as something that's not a big deal, but to a kid like me, it means a lot."
Not everyone goes back to school feeling prepared and connected. For some kids, the first day of school marks the first day of a struggle to get assignments completed on time and looking good.
With our society increasingly dependent on technology, kids who cannot afford a computer and Internet connection are at a disadvantage. Merry Go Round Children's Foundation's Kids, Cops & Computers program, levels the playing field for financially disadvantaged kids by putting computers and Internet connections in their homes.
Your donation affords deserving Grade 7 students more than just a brand-new laptop and Internet connection. It allows them opportunity to succeed just like their peers.
Marc Saltzman is a Merry Go Round Children's Foundation Board Member
and strong supporter of the Kids, Cops & Computers program.
If you spend time online, the expressions “you get what you pay for” and “nothing in this world is free” don’t necessarily apply.
For students heading back to school, there are hundreds of free programs you can download or use as online-only applications. They don’t cost a dime and you can use them as often as you like. While not necessarily as feature-rich as their paid counterparts, you might be surprised at what’s available.
So put away your wallet and take note of these Windows-based freebies (unless otherwise specified).
Productivity suites
Oracle’s OpenOffice (openoffice.org) includes tools for word processing, creating spreadsheets and presentations, and more. OpenOffice is available in multiple languages and runs on many operating systems. The software suite supports a wide range of file types created by other programs (including Microsoft Office’s .doc, .xls and .ppt). Because this is “open-source software,” you can install it on as many computers as you like and make copies for your friends.
Another good choice is SoftMaker Office 2008 (softmakeroffice.com), an older but free version of a commercial product (SoftMaker Office 2010). Available for Windows and Linux, this lean and fast productivity suite includes a word processor (called TextMaker), spreadsheet program (PlanMaker) and presentation tool (SoftMaker Presentations).
These offerings don’t deliver the same robust set of features as Microsoft Office or give you an Outlook-like email program, but free is free. Speaking of Microsoft, the software giant now offers a free product, Office Web Apps, to let you view, edit and create documents, spreadsheets and presentations — but you need to be online to do so.
Backups and security
Students know it’s important to back up important computer files to protect them from theft, fire, flood, damaging viruses and power surges — but external hard drives, USB thumbsticks and recordable DVDs can also be damaged or stolen. That’s why an online storage solution is a good idea, as your files are stored off-site in a password-protected locker, if you will. (Hedge your bets by using both a local and online solution.)
Microsoft’s Windows Live SkyDrive (skydrive.live.com) offers up to 25 gigabytes of free storage. Not only is SkyDrive a breeze to use, but you can access your files from virtually any Internet-connected computer in the world. If you like, reserve part of your storage for friends and family to access with a different password. All you need to get going is a Windows ID, such as a valid Hotmail address.
Another way a student can protect data is through one of the free antivirus solutions available — and there are a few good options out there. This includes AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 (avg.com/ca), avast! Free Antivirus 6 (avast.com), Avira AntiVir Personal Antivirus (avira.com/free) and Microsoft Security Essentials (microsoft.com/security). Students can also check with their Internet service provider to see if they offer a free antivirus solution. Many of these programs can also protect against other “malware” (malicious software), including those that can slow down a PC, install unwanted toolbars and pop-up ads, and spy on web-surfing behaviour.
But wait, there’s more!
A few other freeware suggestions for students on a budget:
• Google offers a ton of handy software and services at no charge. Google Earth (google.com/earth), for instance, provides a free virtual rendering of the entire planet — including the ability to zoom in to street level using satellite imagery or a street view, which is ideal for directions, too.
• Fences (stardock.com) smartly organizes your Windows desktop into various “fences” (groups of icons), so you can quickly find what you’re looking for. It can also hide icons when they’re not in use, giving your desktop a much cleaner look. You can also customize the colour and opacity of your fences.
• If a student needs to log into their dorm room computer (Windows, Mac or Linux) from another computer, smartphone or tablet, the free TeamViewer (teamviewer.com) lets them do just that — and it works quickly, securely and reliably over Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.
• Apple’s iTunes (itunes.ca) is a versatile media management solution for Windows and Mac users. Organize and play your music and videos, rip or burn files, stream free radio stations, listen to podcasts and access the iTunes store. Also consider VideoLAN’s free VLC Media Player (videolan.org), which supports dozens of audio and video files (codecs) and multiple operating systems.
• There are many good, free photo-editing tools, but GIMP (gimp.org) might be the most robust thanks to its powerful editing features, digital retouching, multiple file support and customizable interface options. The free download works with Windows, Mac, Linux and other operating systems.
• Skype (skype.com) is a free way to talk with friends and family, with video, to any other Skype account in the world — on a computer, smartphone, tablet or television. If your laptop or netbook doesn’t have a built-in webcam, you can pick one up on the cheap. You can also text chat, exchange files or “Skype Out” to land lines or mobile phones for a few cents a minute.
Merry Go Round participants Carlo, Daniel, Fuad and Kashyap pose for a picture with basketball athletes Rashad Green, Danny Green and Kevin Spann.
When Kashyap P. first heard of a camp opportunity made possible by Merry Go Round Children's Foundation Board Member, Greg Rogers, he was hesitant to accept the offer; he had never been to an overnight camp alone without family or friends and did not know what to make of the one-week experience.
The thought of attendingOlympia Sports Campwith its focus on sport-specific development combined with his passion for volleyball overpowered his hesitation, and on August 14 he left for the camp experience of his life.
Tucked away in the heart of Muskoka, Camp Olympia is the only residential outdoor camp in Canada that provides kids with the finest in sports, camping and life skills training. Through a generous opportunity facilitated by Greg Rogers, Merry Go Round kids were able to attend the camp at no cost.
When Kashyap arrived at Camp Olympia, he was breathtaken by what he called its "natural beauty."
"There was two lakes on either side of the camp, and the nature there was just really nice," he described.
When he started his volleyball sessions however, he realized Camp Olympia was more than a place to enjoy scenery.
With more than 275 top-level international, national, provincial, university, high school and elementary school coaches, Olympia Sports Camp is serious about sports. The camp also recruits NBA, NCAA, and Olympic athletes as "special guest" instructors.
"I learned and improved on my game a lot," Kashyap said, noting that the most challenging and rewarding component of the camp was its ASA training, which is an athletic conditioning program, or as Kashyap described, "an intense skills training session."
When he wasn't training, Kashyap had the opportunity to swim and play basketball. He also met with basketball athletes Rashad Green, Danny Green and Kevin Spann.
At night time, he and the other campers gathered around the camp fire sharing stories and participating in various competitions with judges and prizes.
Kashyap said the week flew by, but on the way home from camp, he was certain of one thing: "If another opportunity comes up next year, [he] will be the first to sign up. No hesitations."
When Chrishani P. used to watch people on TV accepting prizes they've won, one thought would cross her mind: "That can't be real."
Two months ago however, she received a call from Merry Go Round Children's Foundation that changed this belief.
Chrishani, a Grade 12 student attending Monsignor Percy Johnson school, was recently awarded with a brand-new iPad from the Kids, Cops & Computers program.
"When you called to say that I'm going to get a brand-new iPad, I couldn't believe that it was happening to me. I was winning something this cool," she told Kids, Cops & Computers.
The Kids, Cops & Computers participant was selected to receive the iPad because of her hard work and dedication to the Program. Chrishani has not only met all program requirements, but she also earned an average of 93.3% on her last report card.
Merry Go Round staff decided to award her with the iPad, which was generously donated by an anonymous organization, to show her and other students that hard work does not go unnoticed and deserves to be recognized.
"It's made me want to keep trying to get better and improve," said Chrishani, explaining that the iPad has been a great motivation for her.
"I like it because it's portable and I can take it anywhere with me. Checking my email and making notes is so much easier now, too," she explains, adding that she anticipates it will be great help for when she attends university in the upcoming year.
The iPad has also become a huge hit with her family.
"My parents are loving it, too. They really like viewing pictures on there because you can zoom in and out and flip pictures. They really like flipping the pictures," she laughs.
Chrishani wants to attend medical school with a goal of becoming a paediatrician.
Although Kids, Cops & Computers participant Arvin C. has been playing Goalball for only two years, his passion and talent for the sport have already brought him to the International Blind Sports Federation World Youth Championship in Colorado Springs.
Goalball, a sport for the vision impaired and blind, has two teams compete against each other with the aim of scoring a goal by getting a ball with bells embedded inside, into the opponents net. The only catch: players must wear eyeshades at all times during the game and sometimes patches are required to cover the eyes beneath the shades. Therefore, players are only able to track the ball by listening to its bells and have to work together to block the net.
Arvin notes this is a wonderful component of the game as it involves co-ordination and teamwork.
"It's just such a great experience to be out on the court and with the other players," says Arvin, whose team placed 6th in the World Youth Championship.
In April, Arvin participated in the Junior National Goalball Competition, where he helped his team secure a silver medal victory.
For Arvin however, playing the game is not enough. He feels like there is a need to inform people about the sport and he hopes to do so through the computer provided to him by the Kids, Cops & Computers program.
"The computer helps me research workouts and prepare for tournaments. It keeps me motivated and I hope to use it to get the word out," he explains.
His advice for other Kids, Cops & Computers' students: "whatever you are doing, keep working on it and you'll eventually get it."
On August 19, Arvin will be taking part in the 2011 Ontario ParaSport Summer Games in Sarnia, Ontario.
If you spend time online, the expressions “you get what you pay for” and “nothing in this world is free” don’t necessarily apply.
When Chrishani P. used to watch people on TV accepting prizes they've won, one thought would cross her mind: "That can't be real."
