We are thrilled to grow our National Mouse Network to the Pacific Northwest -- including new Mouse Squads in Oregon, Washington and Idaho!

Through the support of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, the Mouse Squad program is running in all 11 middle schools in the Salem-Keizer school district this year.  Salem-Keizer is the 2nd largest school district in the state of Oregon, with more than 40,000 students.

“We strive to make what our students are learning in school relevant to the opportunities they can have in the future,” stated Krina Lemons, Executive Director, Salem-Keizer Education Foundation. “I was blown away when I saw the Mouse Squad program in action, with the depth of the curriculum and the way students were deeply engaged in a social action project and determined to use technology make a difference in their world.”

Our first Mouse Squad in Washington state is at Pioneer Middle School, where the 7th and 8th grade Mouse Squad students work with computers running Linux and Google apps. “When we received the starter kit, the kids were ecstatic,” stated Joel Williams, Mouse Squad Coordinator. “I absolutely love the certification lessons and activities! This is the best standardized program I have run across in 16 years of teaching.”

The Pioneer Mouse Squad has already learned how to clone Linux machines using Clonezilla, change the computer's name via the terminal, install specific software and links in a browser, change a power supply and check for network connectivity. “Mouse Squad has already been recognized by the principal as being an important new addition to making this school year a success.”

And, we are also very excited to add Kuna High School in Kuna, Idaho to our national Mouse network! The KHS Kaverats have 18 active members who meet twice a week during advisory, and have just finished their first module. They are currently working through the certification program in preparation of running a student-led help desk system for student laptops.

"Every high school student at Kuna High will receive a laptop in the 2012-2013 school year," said Ashleigh Jensen, Mouse Squad Coordinator.  "Kuna's Mouse Squad will be the first line of defense for students in need of tech help."

As we begin the new school year, we are thrilled to have the Mouse Squad program running in 10 states in the country (California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas and Washington) -- and growing fast!  We look forward to hearing lots of exciting news from all our amazing Squads across the country!