DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / December 6, 2000

GRAMERCY – It all started with random conversation. People would mention toLaurie Roussel, technology facilitator for region three, how they wanted to learn to use a computer.

“Anytime people would see me they would stop me in a hallway or the grocery store,” said Roussel.

In talking to the people in the community Roussel quickly saw that parents wanted to learn more because their kids were learning so much. It was thesame for grandparents.

Seeing the need and interest, classes were formed at Gramercy Elementary School for the instruction of basic computer skills to the community.

“We had been needing to do something like this for the community,” said Mary Edwards, St. James Parish School System administrative director. Theschool system is made of more than just the students; it includes the community as well, added Edwards.

As just a spur of the moment project the classes were thrown together to see how many people would sign up and if the interest would hold. FirstRoussel thought if six students signed up they would go ahead with the class.

Immediately they had 10 enrolled. Then they opened the class to 15students, provided there were volunteers to help. In the end 18 studentswere enrolled, with four people regularly helping Roussel.

One volunteer was Raelynn, Roussel’s 8-year-old daughter. Raelynn wouldwander among the students to help out, knowing almost enough to teach the class herself.

From the absolute basics of how to turn on the computer, how to use a mouse and on up the students began to learn. The interest was so strongand the desire to make the classes was such that “they canceled bowling nights, card games, and one even came back early from vacation,” said Roussel.

The students showed up early and left late, cramming in as much knowledge as they could into their normally two-hour sessions.

“They never left in two hours. The last night they didn’t want to leave,” saidRoussel with a smile.

For seven sessions the students came to learn. Some had computers alreadyand wanted the practice; others had never used a computers. Almosteveryone had purchased a computer by the end of the class, said Roussel.

By the end of the sessions the students had learned to search the internet, discovered shopping on the web and were e-mailing and sending instant messages across the room to each other. They had learned the basics ofrunning a computer, as well as Windows 98 and Word programs.

“It was a relaxed, friendly and totally unpressured atmosphere,” said Edwards. The students, some who had tried to take a class at localcommunity colleges, were allowed to move at their own pace so they wouldn’t get lost.

The importance of this class, especially among the senior citizens, is the new found availability of the world. This class is taught “so they can feelindependent,” said Roussel.

“It opened a whole new world of communication for them. Now they marvel atwhat they’re able to do with literally the touch of their finger,” Edwards agreed.

The next class already has a waiting list and is set for sometime in late January. They waiting list is almost long enough to fill a second class, saidRoussel. The program is for district three citizens, so people from St. Johnand Ascension parish are also lined up to join the class.

Roussel plans to keep teaching the community the basics, though the last class is ready to return. They’re still not advanced students yet, saidRoussel.

The last class has proven to be a very successful pilot for future classes.

Roussel and Edwards hope to expand further into the parish. HopefullyRoussel will be able to train teachers who will teach the class elsewhere.

Though the class is dependent on sites with enough room for the class, Sixth Ward, St. James High, Gramercy, Lutcher High and Lutcher Junior Highschools have available space. The next class will hopefully be on the westbank, said Roussel.

The class was taught voluntarily by Roussel, who took much pleasure in the course. Her students were also very pleased, giving her a present and pottedplant in thanks for her instruction.

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