Fame and fortune-or at least computer equipment-awaits Sharon Springs Central School if it's a winner in the Apple Distinguished Educators Award contest.
SSCS was invited to apply for the award-the only way in-because of the success of its iPad project, now in its second year.
Business Manager Tony DiPace said he thinks they're one of about 100 schools competiting and about a dozen will be named winners on November 1.
The process has included interviews as well as a formal application; SSCS also had to create an iBook that Mr. DiPace and Superintendent Pat Green screened for school board members Monday.
Mr. Green and English teacher Tom Yorke-who narrates the book's videos-wrote and edited the book's copy and scripts and Mr. Yorke's Digital Literacy class helped with the filming and putting the project together.
Sharon's entry in the contest, "The Learning Ecology of SSCS," features footage of downtown, landmarks such as Parsons' vegetable farm, and student using the iPads in their classes.
The introductory video opens up into an iBook, Mr. DiPace said, much like the digital textbooks the students are using do.
The iBook, which has additional videos impeded inside it, had to address specific topics, and was limited to about 8-10 pages in length.
Eventually, Mr. Green said, the school has to be able to publish the iBook on iTunes, a step that involves a vetting process.
If they're among the winners, Mr. DiPace said they'll win money and computer equipment, probably awarded based on the size of the school.