Located in rural northeast Mississippi, the Chickasaw County School District has approximately 550 students who attend Houlka Attendance Center in Houlka, Mississippi. All buildings are located on one campus near the center of town. Houlka is an Indian word meaning "low water" or "low land." Settled originally in the early 1800’s, the community thrived as a small farming community, railroad stop, and sawmill town until manufacturing became the primary employer in the 1950s and early 1960s. A sign at the entrance to town says, "Where quiet country living and major industry come together." Although a small community by many standards, Chickasaw County citizens have a strong interest in their school and support it both financially and by volunteering their time.

Technology integration has been a primary focus for the school administrators in the Chickasaw County School District. Houlka teachers have received professional development and equipment has been purchased through grants. The current student/computer ratio is 3:1. Each classroom has at least one multi-media computer, and several classrooms have five. Eighteen multimedia carts holding different combinations of computers and peripherals are available for the teachers to use. With the additional equipment received through the C·R·E·A·T·E for Mississippi grant, the school now has two 15-unit wireless laptop labs. It is the vision of the Chickasaw County School District to create a 21^st century learning environment where the students feel safe—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually while gaining 21^st century skills.

Since 1985 the community has hosted a "Houlka Homecoming" every five years on Memorial Day Weekend. Community spirit is maintained through class reunions, an old-fashioned dinner on the grounds, and the sharing of memories with friends and family. The community currently is sponsoring a fund-raising drive to renovate the original high school built in 1907. A grant from the Mississippi Department of Education as well as local funding enabled the school district to make structural repairs to the building which has been designated a "Mississippi Landmark" by the Mississippi Department of History and Archives. If additional funding is received, plans for the building are to use it as a community technology center, a parent center, a local museum, a conference room, offices, and classrooms for the GED program and college classes offered by the nearby community college.

Students attending Houlka Attendance Center have the opportunity to see the union of the past and the present on their school campus. The wisdom and vision of their parents and teachers will carry them into the future.

Selection Process

Houlka's Technology Facilitator (TF) worked with the 5th and 6th grade teachers in selecting students for the Tech Team. All students in those grades were given technology training in fundamental computer skills by the TF. Those who had positive attitudes toward learning and technology, a good work ethic including turning in assignments and homework on time, and passing grades in every subject were considered for the team.

Responsibilities

The Houlka Tech Team members provide assistance in their classrooms for their teachers in order to help the teachers facilitate learning with technology. Team members can help troubleshoot minor technical problems and set up equipment for use by the class. They have also proven to be invaluable by serving as peer-tutors for students who have fewer computer skills than they do.

Training for the Houlka Tech Team has been handled both during and after school. Students will be using their experiences in helping teachers to create support guides for commonly occurring problems or frequently requested services.