School Reopens in High-Tech World After 17 Years

After more than 17 years, Robinson Elementary School in Manhattan Beach has reopened for education and is preparing students for the 21st century by offering high-tech classes.

Last week the school unveiled its Chevron Learning Center, a state-of-the-art computer lab that has been made available to many area schools along with the 300 students in the Robinson school’s pre-elementary through fourth-grade classes. The lab features 16 Macintosh computers, CD ROMs, Internet access, numerous multimedia programs and a network that links the lab to each classroom where a computer is hooked up.

The school had been closed for 17 years because of declining enrollment and was used as a day care center. But recent gains in enrollment prompted the district to reopen the school this fall.

The lab was made possible by a $40,000 grant from Chevron, which paid for computers that the district could not otherwise afford. Funds to open the school came from a $47-million school bond measure passed by voters in 1995, but there wasn’t room in the $3-million budget that was allocated to open Robinson to purchase computers.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do it without their help,” said Principal Carol Coordt. “It has really given the kids a lot of opportunities.”

Chevron spokeswoman Stacy Cavote said the donation is the largest high-tech donation Chevron has made to the Manhattan Beach School District. The oil company sponsors high-tech programs at school districts surrounding the refinery, including El Segundo, Hawthorne and Inglewood.

Cavote said Chevron is particularly interested in the project because it is geared toward improving the future.

“We like the fact that is a new school and we really liked the theme: Capturing the spirit of the future,” Cavote said. “There is so much these kids can do, and that idea and technology will carry them into the future.”

The students have used the computers to learn math and play games, but kids are especially excited about the individual projects conducted at each grade level.

First-graders are using the computers for a math project, while second-graders are participating in a weekly writing workshop. Third-graders are working on a school newsletter and fourth-graders have embarked on a publishing project: a poetry book.

“It’s really fun ‘cause we get to do math and learn about animals on the computer,” said fourth-grader George Crichton, who had not used a computer until the Chevron lab opened. “It’s especially fun playing games at first recess.”

The school district also has made the lab available to neighboring districts, including Hermosa Beach and Palos Verdes.

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District has seen a tremendous increase in enrollment over the last year. Supt. Jerry Davis said the programs at Robinson are only the first step toward expansion.

In 1998, the district plans to open a new, $20-million middle school to alleviate overcrowding at the elementary schools.