Un-Boxing Day for Duchesne Freshmen

CAVE Girls Theresa Garcia, Kiran Dawood and Yu Shen wait to begin their presentation.

Computers, specifically laptops, have been an integral part of Duchesne Academy’s Upper and Middle Schools since they were first introduced to the school in 1998. Duchesne aims to foster our passion for technology and to empower us, as young women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields of work. The focus on technology is evident as soon as you step foot onto our campus. You’ll see many students working through presentations on their laptops, girls rushing in and out of the CAVE (our resident computer help desk, staffed by many students and several faculty members), and teachers drawing out diagrams on Smart Boards.

Computers and technology permeate our life here at Duchesne in every way; from classes like Computer Science and Digital Art, to our award-winning robotics team, Iron Plaid, our students and faculty are well versed in the world of technology. This immersion begins in Lower School with the newly introduced iPad program, but students really get to experience it when they move into the Middle School and receive their laptops. 

The CAVE Girls lined up against the back wall and were introduced before beginning their presentations.

Every student at Duchesne, beginning in Middle School, uses a laptop. You receive your first laptop in fifth grade, and then keep that one until you trade it in for a new one at the beginning of your freshman year. Programs used on these laptops include, but are not limited to Microsoft Office, DyKnow, Inspiration, with links to a plethora of educational websites, and more. Last week, the first week of school, the freshman finally received what they had been waiting for all summer: their brand new laptops. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit in on their experience and enjoy “Un-Boxing Day” with them. 

The girls rushed into the large science lab and sat down at the tables as they excitedly talked about what their laptops would be like. There were boxes of computers throughout the room, with each one holding twenty grey protective cases containing the new laptops. The girls quieted down as the Technology Director, Mrs. Thorson, began to talk. She went through the responsibilities now required of the girls because of their new laptops, Duchesne’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), and basic laptop maintenance. The girls were practically jumping up and down in their chairs out of excitement. Mrs. Thorson and Mrs. Ford, the Educational Technology Manager, answered the girls’ questions patiently. Then came the moment of truth: the girls were divided into groups and sent into different classrooms where they would receive their laptops. 

As the laptops were unveiled, the girls excitedly set new background images of their favorite celebrities or pictures with their friends. They created new settings and looked through their pre-downloaded programs. As the afternoon progressed, the girls were led through a series of classrooms where “CAVE Girls,” walked them through these new programs available to them on their laptops. The CAVE Girls have received extensive technological training at Duchesne, and were more readily able answer all of the girls’ many questions. At the end of the day, everyone was excited by their new laptops, but utterly exhausted by the three hour experience. 

Since receiving their laptops, the freshmen have been hard at work in class, just like the rest of the Upper School. They are looking forward to the new school year and know that their new laptops will be an invaluable tool to having a successful year.