Rohnert Park elementary schools may become computer science magnets

The Cotati-Rohnert Park school district could turn two of its campuses into computer science magnet schools to attract more students at a time of low enrollment for the pair of sites.

School officials hope to draw more students to John Reed and Waldo Rohnert elementary schools by teaming up with Code to the Future, an organization that helps districts roll out computer science immersion programs.

The partner schools have seen their student numbers decrease over the years. Since John Reed Elementary became a K-2 campus five years ago, enrollment has dropped by 37 percent to 281 students, according to figures by Ed-Data. At the Waldo Rohnert campus, serving grades 3-5, the enrollment numbers over the same period dropped by 7 percent to 275 students.

“It’s a challenge to keep students enrolled,” Superintendent Robert Haley said at a recent school board meeting. “We’re a county that has a culture of school choice - parents leaving and enrolling (their kids) in charter schools, going to other districts.”

Students would start learning to code in kindergarten, Haley said this week.

“It’s a solid instrumental model. They have experience working with schools like this,” he said, referring to Code to the Future.

The organization would provide on-site teacher training and coaching and other support for five years. It would cost the district a total of $499,000.

Kids would be provided with age-appropriate lessons and materials, said Susan Lopez, principal of both schools. They would be learning about computer science “the way you learn math with manipulatives,” she said.

Lopez said the program could give her students who predominantly come from socioeconomically disadvantaged households an edge in the future as they master skills essential in the 21st century. The goal is not just to teach kids to code, but to integrate computer skills throughout “all the disciplines” of their education, she said.

“For our students who may have less (technology) access at home, this could be a real door for them to go through,” Lopez said to school board members late last month.

It’s like learning a second language, added her assistant principal, Monica Fong. “It’ll be a really good draw for neighborhood kids.”

Lopez said they’re still researching the computer science immersion program and reaching out to teachers to get their input.

Sara McKenna-McKee, principal of Technology Middle School, called it a “win” for her school, where most of the John Reed and Waldo students end up.

The students would come into her school with basic robotics and coding knowledge.

“We can start offering different curriculum - higher expectations for our students,” she said. “I just see it giving my students a boost.”

The school board could vote on a proposal Aug. 15. If approved, Haley said the schools would gradually roll out the program, starting with one grade level each the first year.

Lopez said they would likely start in the winter during the second trimester to give the schools time to train teachers.

“My teachers are open-minded and forward-thinking. They would see the value in this,” she said of the computer science program. “(It) would be beneficial to any student.”

You can reach Staff Writer Eloísa Ruano González at 707-521-5458 or eloisa.gonzalez@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter ?@eloisanews.