Thomas Jefferson

High School | Home of the Spartans

Nicolo's New Lab

Posted 12/07/2010 by Katie Boyer

Business technology department is up to date with new PCs.

Photo by Katie Boyer

After writing a Federal Government Career Technology Education Perkin’s grant, 32 new Dell PCs were delivered to TJ on November 11 to provide Spartans with updated business hardware and software. Perkin’s Grants were created to more fully develop the academic and technical skills of students by funding scholastic programs, and that’s exactly what the grant was used for. Business Law, Marketing and DECA Teacher Matt Nicolo said, “With this grant, we were able to get new computers for the Career and Tech Education Department. TJ students are fortunate enough to receive this gift for educational purposes.”

These brand new Dell PCs are not only more compact, but also faster and more efficient than the previous computers. “The computers in the lab in room 105 were approaching six years old. They still worked perfectly but they were outdated. For career and tech classes, I like my students to stay on the cutting edge with technology. We got new business software and applications like Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint, which are very important in preparing students for the business world, since in the business community, 80% of all computers are PCs.” Nicolo says he makes sure to teach students how to use each application thoroughly, to train them to excel in their business plans after TJ.

Algebraic Principles of Marketing student April Regas said, “The new computers help us a lot in our class; since our textbook is online computers are quite necessary. Then we also do research for our sales and advertising projects, as well as promotion projects. Essentially we learn how to act in a business office.”

To join DECA, Algebraic Principles of Marketing, Marketing or Business Law, students must request the class from their counselor in the beginning of the year or contact Matt Nicolo at matthew_nicolo@dpsk12.org for more information. Nicolo said, “I hope students appreciate the opportunity that is given to them here at TJ. Not all schools receive the most up-to-date technology to better their students’ learning.”