Edison's MOUSE Squad kids earn honors, Queens Chronicle
Room 111 in Thomas Edison Career and Technology High School was recently filled with appreciative alumni and proud staff members who were there to show recognition toward students who participate in the MOUSE program — Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools & Education.
Thomas Edison’s principal, Anthony Barbetta, expressed his gratitude as he congratulated the students and let them know that their work for the school was greatly appreciated. Noting that the MOUSE Squad has helped Thomas Edison become a great technological school, he also referred to them as Edison’s own “help desk.”
“MOUSE Squad is on call at all times,” Barbetta said. “In tough budgetary times this group has actually trained our teachers to use a smart board and power point. When it comes to MOUSE Squad I am personally thankful.”
Founded in 1997, MOUSE focuses on making students become the leaders of tomorrow. With a mission of “empowering students to succeed in today’s information society,” MOUSE has given participating students a hands-on experience at future career opportunities while saving schools thousands of dollars.
MOUSE Squad is one of three programs of advancement which MOUSE offers. The second includes MOUSE Corps, which provides internships and career readiness for high school students. The third, MOUSE TechSource, is dedicated to research, evaluation and program improvement.
There to present Edison with a city council proclamation and issue awards was 24th District Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows). He congratulated MOUSE Squad members of Edison by saying that the program has really flourished due to their efforts: “It is because of you and what you contribute.”
MOUSE Squad students listened to Gennaro as he spoke about the importance of leadership skills noting that Edison is a “school of leaders,” and added that the MOUSE Squad members are “leaders among leaders.” Seniors like Whaeeda “Alisha” Babar, Muhammad “Waqar” Ahsan, and Zeena Cerdenas were among the program’s leaders and considered MOUSE Squad to be a great experience.
Finding drivers on a laptop, dealing with Ethernet controllers, video and audio is what Babar says she has learned while being a part of MOUSE Squad. “They are the essential things needed to make a computer functional,” she said.
In his first year on MOUSE Squad, Ahsan, who at the time was a junior, watched and learned from the senior members. “I didn’t do much,” he said. I would watch the seniors to gain experience.” Now in his senior year, he does service calls for teachers.
A shop teacher recommended MOUSE Squad for Cerdenas in her junior year but sports obligations hindered her from participating. With hopes to major in computer engineering in college she added that MOUSE Squad opened her eyes. “I am beginning to know more about computers and how they function,” Cerdenas said.
Four alumni of Edison’s MOUSE Squad were in attendance and gave inspirational words of how appreciative they were of their previous MOUSE experience as high school students. They all spoke highly of MOUSE Squad saying that it was an opportunity they were grateful for.
Explaining how MOUSE Squad has helped them to grow, the alumni have become successful as New York City teachers, for example, or members of Best Buys’ computer technology Geek Squad. Others are in City Tech College’s network program and at Time Warner Cable.
Due to the intensity of the program, MOUSE Squad members typically join in their junior or senior year. Alex Bell, MOUSE Squad coordinator at Edison, has strict guidelines that MOUSE Squad members must abide by.
“Squad members are chosen by their character,” Bell said. “This happens throughout the first two weeks of school.” Bell also said that members cannot have a dean’s record or problems with school staffers. Members also must pass all classes and complete bi-weekly write-ups of work that was done for the two weeks.
Bell is confident that all of his MOUSE students will succeed noting that they all are employable. He has seen it all, from when MOUSE Squad had its first eight members in spring 2004, a time when he says they were just finding their way.
“I give them the opportunity to make conscious choices,” Bell said. “If you are a good effective teacher, you will know that you can reach everybody.”
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The list of what I have learned from the MOUSE Squad program can go on forever. The training has helped me to be confident about what I do and has taught me... read more ›
– Jessica Alberto, MOUSE Squad Member, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technology High School
MOUSE Squad has provided invaluable assistance to our school and made technology easy for our entire staff. Those on MOUSE Squad are surrounded by students who are successful inside and outside the classroom. read more ›
– Anthony Barbetta, Principal, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technology High School
I recognize MOUSE for its dedication to providing our city’s schools with the technological tools and support to keep our children competitive in the information age. read more ›
– Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City
The experiences that MOUSE provides its participants help ensure that high school graduates are prepared for good jobs during the summer and in their future careers. MOUSE’s unique emphasis on technology training... read more ›
– Gale Brewer, New York City Council Member, Technology Committee Chair
I love finishing school and coming to MOUSE. I love the teamwork and the time to learn new things about computers. read more ›
– Aram Buenaventura, MOUSE Squad Member, High School for Arts & Technology
When I started the internship, my manager brought me to the trading floor. It was the best thing in the world to see all the traders and to know they were my clients,... read more ›
– Duckens Durosier, MOUSE Squad Alumni, Junior Analyst, Citi
To me, programs like this don't exactly go to every school around. I enjoy the program and what they teach. My interest in technology has enhanced greatly because of MOUSE Squad. read more ›
– Ally Garcia, MOUSE Squad Member, High School for Arts & Technology
Participating in the MOUSE Squad gave me a true sense of purpose. I never could have imagined in just 8 years, I would be CEO of my own technology consulting firm and... read more ›
– Juan Garzon, MOUSE Squad Alumnus; Field Support Representative, MOUSE
The people at MOUSE are a living, breathing testament to the notion that when an organization is centered around a thoughtful and attainable goal—staffed by competent, bright and passionate individuals—there is very little... read more ›
– Mehran Ghaffarsamar , MOUSE Intern, Baruch College
Our MOUSE Squad students are demonstrating leadership skills, learning about responsibilities and how to communicate with adults. This program is inspiring our students and giving them a glimpse of future career opportunities. read more ›
– Carla Haakma, Principal, Los Arboles Elementary School, California
MOUSE Squad students learn many skills frequently cited by employers as keys to success in the workplace, including leadership, communication, teamwork problem solving and time management. read more ›
– Jan Half, Executive Director, MOUSE Squad of California
We recognize that student attendance and graduation are increasingly important issues facing public schools. We are looking to target specific schools as we have seen the TechCrew program have a positive impact in... read more ›
– Victor Herrera, Student Tech Services, Chicago Public Schools
For our school, MOUSE Squad plays an integral role in supporting our technology, saving us both time and money. But more importantly, students participate in positive experiences that give them a strong... read more ›
– Seth Hubbert, Faculty Coordinator, High School for Arts & Technology
What excites me most about MOUSE Squad is going to fix computers and hanging out with friends. I really think MOUSE Squad pushes you to try and learn new things. read more ›
– Danielle Jacobs, MOUSE Squad Member, Cooper High School, Abilene Texas
MOUSE is a valued NYC Department of Education partner--their programs are well aligned with NYC and national education priorities. MOUSE programs build important 21st century skills and prepare students to be successful... read more ›
– Joel Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education
MOUSE has been able to light my path of maturity. Being shown everything I can do, and looking back at everything I’ve been a part of, I now realize what I want... read more ›
– Ryan Mason, MOUSE Squad Alumni, School of the Future
MOUSE Squad has taught me the skills I need for the future. read more ›
– Ismelda Monegro, Bea Fuller Rodgers School, New York
Leadership, pride, self confidence and a sense of responsibility -- this is the impact of the MOUSE Squad program on our students. read more ›
– Norma Perez, Principal, Bea Fuller Rodgers School, New York
MOUSE Squad has proven time and again that students who graduate after participating are more equipped for the next stage in their lives, especially in today’s vast information technology world. This program... read more ›
– Christine C. Quinn, Speaker, New York City Council
MOUSE has provided life changing experiences for me that have added tremendously to my passion for technology… regardless of the company or industry, you will always need technology and the skills we learn... read more ›
– Leroy Tindi, MOUSE Squad Alum, Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy
Through the CPS TechCrew program, I have learned how to explore computers, how to fix problems that are usually deferred to someone else, and what it's like to work on a team that... read more ›
– Simon Vecchioni, CPS TechCrew Member, Northside College Prep High School, Chicago
What excites me most about being part of this program is that I get to interact with other students who share the same goals and who hope to learn more on how to... read more ›
– Monique Williams, Chicago TechCrew Member, Tarkington School of Excellence
