LINDEN – In less than two months on the job, Linden Superintendent of Education Dr. Tyrone Smith has put in motion several new initiatives designed to help students interact with those outside school walls.
“We are using the distance learning labs and participating in the Amazing Kids penpal program,” he said. “We are communicating on paper as well as on computers to other school districts, other classrooms and other countries, finding out different cultures.
“We are using Skype to talk to other countries. We were talking to Brazil the other day, and the Brazilian flag came up on the computer, and our children were able to see children from that particular country.”
The school system also began daily broadcasts via the Internet.
“If people want to know something about our district, we give a layout every morning,” Smith said. The broadcasts can be replayed at the Web site www.ustream.tv/channel/linden-city-boe, using the password “linden168” to access the information.
Smith praised football head coach Andro Williams for his efforts, not just in teaching the game of football but in being a mentor and teacher for the students.
“He demonstrates good sportsmanship and is a great father figure,” Smith said. “He shows good parenting and is a good citizen. He has allowed our boys to put this out there after they leave this school regarding family values, doing what is right and speaking softly.
“If we don’t win another game, in my mind, he has done extremely well with our boys in making them into young men, and I want to encourage him to continue what he’s doing.”