The Glenview Elementary PTA iMac Program
The Glenview Elementary PTA iMac Program receives donated Apple iMac computers, fixes them up, and then installs them in classrooms at Glenview Elementary, our Oakland public elementary school. We offer volunteer pick up of donated computers from the greater San Francisco Bay Area. In return we provide a tax-deductible receipt for the donation, and the knowledge that you are contributing a resource of great value to a community that needs it.
Started in November 2005, the program is run entirely by volunteers from the neighborhood, some with children at Glenview Elementary, and some who just care a lot about the community.
Beginning in 2007, we have expanded the program and currently take almost any model of the Apple iMac computer, including the original CRT-based iMacs, the 'desk lamp'-style models, and even the newest all-in-one design:
Basically, if it says iMac on the front AND has a Firewire port (what's this?) we would love to accept it into the program.
iMacs have always been great computers for education. We use them at Glenview as Internet terminals for accessing educational resources on the web, word processors for writing assignments and homework, and they support a wealth of educational CD-ROM media. We also work with the teachers at Glenview to configure these computers with resources that accompany their course curriculum and the specific needs of their students.
Here's a list of stuff we CAN use:
- iMacs in good working order- or close- with Firewire ports (what's this?) If your iMac is not working we can often repair it for use in the classroom-- just ask!
- Apple USB keyboards - USB means the rectangular plug, not the round kind.
- USB optical mice - any brand, optical means no little ball under the bonnet, USB means the rectangular plug, not the round kind.
- Epson Stylus inkjet printers - the simple 4-color models are sturdiest and (most importantly) the ink is inexpensive.
- Headphones - light weight, open air, traditional head-band style, (no in-ear, please), with the 8mm "mini" plug, (think, "Walkman").
- Ethernet cables - these look like thick phone cables with bigger modular jacks on the ends.
- Small hubs and switches - you know what this is if you have one to get rid of.
- Mac OS-compatible software - If you have commercial educational CD-ROMs, we can probably put them back in front of the kids.
- Mac OS system discs - If you have the CD-ROMs that came with an iMac, we can use those too.
- Your time and expertise - if you want to help out, let us know. Even picking up and dropping off these bulky objects is helpful.
Here's a list of stuff we CAN'T use:
- No other types of computers. This is an all iMac program. Thanks!
- No monitors - the iMacs all have built in monitors, so we don't need these.
- No floppy disks - iMacs don't have floppy drives, so these are not helpful.
As soon as we get these computers the hard drives are erased, reformatted and the operating system is re-installed (even if you just did that-- so please don't do so on our account). All the data on the hard disk will be obliterated. Please save your important data elsewhere before donating your iMac.
Corporate donations are always welcome! Apple Computer and Macally are two examples of companies that have generously donated software and hardware to our little program. If you know of another company that would like to participate, by all means, please send us the information.