Welcome Class of 2016 and Parents

Dr. Dan Bertrand, SuperintendentMr. Scott Shepard, Principal

Mr. David Engelbrecht, Administrator- Technology Mr. Dan Kane, Network Administrator

Board of EducationIn February 2010, the Marengo Community

High School Board of Education adopted the following:Mission statementBelief statementsVision StatementGoals

The Mission of Marengo CHSD 154:

Where learning is valued and excellence is the standard.

We believe … Students and Learning… all students can learn.

 … students need a sense of belonging in a safe,

secure, learning environment. … education should prepare all students for college or

careers. … all students should have equitable opportunities and

be challenged, recognizing their different learning styles. … students learn through participation in activities.

Faculty, Staff and Teaching… staff focus on and be accountable for student learning.

 … staff have school pride and commitment. … staff are a positive influence, have integrity and are

trustworthy. … staff make learning relevant and develop positive

relationships with students. … staff are committed to life-long learning.

We believe …

We believe … Schools and Community

… schools should be fiscally responsible. … the community will provide resources needed for

quality education. … schools and community that have a positive

collaborative partnership will lead to successful students.

 … school will be the center of the community and

reflect community values. 

The Vision of Marengo CHSD 154 is:… to become a model learning community.

 … for all taxing bodies will work together to

meet the needs of the community. … to be recognized for financial, academic,

and extra-curricular excellence. … to be recognized for having outstanding

teaching and support staff.

The Vision of Marengo CHSD 154 – All students will:

 be able to think critically and solve real-world problems

be drug-free and gang-freebe technologically literateexhibit strong literacy skillsexceed college entrance expectationsbe confident, motivated and successfulhave the knowledge and skills to be

productive members of the societysee relevancy in their learning

Digital Learning Environment Program

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES To provide each student with a netbook computer so all students

have computer access 24/7. To continue to provide students with up-to-date technology to use as

a learning tool To create a digital learning environment by using the netbook as an

essential tool in the delivery of each student’s curriculum and instruction on a daily basis.

To improve student’s awareness and skill development in using web based resources to increase their achievement, critical thinking and problem solving skills.

To teach 21st century literacy skills and extend each student's learning opportunities.

To enhance school-home communication through the use oftechnology.

Connection to the Districts Mission and Vision

To become a Model school and our belief statements reference to students being technologically literate and to be able to think critically and solve real world problems.

We envision a school in which students are actively engaged in learning through the full integration of web based instructional tools and curriculum resources using a blended instructional approach.

Why one to one computing?

The previously mentioned goals can be summarized in the four reasons listed below.To enhance student learning.To develop critical thinking.To improve efficiency.To enhance communication.

1.Creativity and Innovation- Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

2. Communication and Collaboration-Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

3. Research and Information Fluency-Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making-Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

5. Digital Citizenship-Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts-Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

NETS for Students 2007

To enhance student learning.Using Technology…..

 

Engagement: Involves students in the learning process. Empowerment: Transforms the teacher from authority-expert to facilitator when the students are guided to use technology to find answers online. Differentiation: Provides greater opportunities for differentiation for students. Cooperative Grouping and Collaboration: Conducive to group work, team problem solving, etc. and allows students to work collaboratively to complete a technology-based activity.  

To develop critical thinking.Problem-Solving and

Project-Based Learning: Promotes a positive shift toward more project based, hands on learning, away from lecture based learning.

Transparency: Digital files can provide documentation of the processes the student has engaged in to solve problems.

To improve efficiency.Efficiency: organization and

distribution of electronic learning materials, grading of multiple choice questions.

Archiving: Allows teachers to more efficiently save and document student work digitally for archival purposes.

Fiscal efficiency: The district can save money by using free open software applications such as the Linux operating system, Google Docs and Open Office which the district is currently paying thousands of dollars a year for.

Replacement of 400+ computers or 1-1.

To enhance communicationAccess to Information & Communication: Access to an incredible array of information sources, media, and communications. School-Home Connections: Increased accessibility if the students have computer and internet access in their homes. Preparation for College & Career: Allows for a smooth transition from school to work and school to college.

DLE Program for StudentsOver a 4 year period of time, students will

purchase a new netbook computer by paying a $75 per year technology fee.1 replacement extended life battery during the

4 years.a charger and a padded bag to transport the

netbook in.Free and Reduced Lunch students will

receive a loaner computer which they will have to return at the end of each year.

DEVICE SPECIFICATIONS 1.7 gigahertz ATOM processor -a

common and standard speed for netbooks

2 gigabytes of RAM memory -the amount of memory within a laptop

Three or more USB ports -this should allow for multiple devices such as a mouse, CDROM, and USB drive to be plugged in simultaneously.

Extended life battery – will initially last more than 7 hours, which is a typical school day. Charging stations will be available

in classrooms and other public locations throughout the school.

A standard warranty gives us 30 days to find defects and return the item for a replacement.

Teaching in the Digital ClassroomTeacher is an active participant and facilitator in

each student’s path of discovery and exploration.

Teachers need to explore innovative ways to deliver content and continually transform their techniques to keep pace with the rapidly changing technologies.

Digital content makes the learning process much more active, mobile and tailored to the individual needs of students in a diverse classroom environment.

  

Internet Access for Students83% of our students have internet access at home

with 72% having high school internet.

Students will be able to access the network/internet from the parking lot 24/7.

Upon entering the building in the a.m. (5:30 a.m.)

After school until 4 p.m. and can take the Homework Haven bus home.

INFRASTRUCTURELoad BalancingThe controller will look at the surrounding access points to see what their status is, and then make computers join the much more capable access points.

Storage EvaluationStudents will use DropBox and Google Docs which are free storage services that can be accessed anywhere. This should free up storage so that it can be used in other in-depth applications.

Network BandwidthWe are currently using a fiber optic connection called Opt-E-Man which provide 20 megabits of Bandwidth which is being used at 75% or more during school hours.

With the increase of Web2.0 tools in classrooms we will need to increase bandwidth We are currently investigating redundant internet services at this time.

END USER SUPPORTTicketing SystemWe have developed a ticketing system which will allow us to track problems and repairs to computers as well as usage.

Loaner NetbooksWe will have 8% to 10% loaner stock of netbooks from the ones used this year so when repairs are needed or a student forget theirs.

TECSThe Technology Equipment and Computer Services (TECS) program will serve the purpose of helping to provide support and service for staff and students.

SOFTWARE PLATFORM AND APPLICATIONS

•To contain costs, we can eliminate the majority of our Windows usage and still provide a great learning environment.

•We will use more free open source tools such as Google Docs, Dropbox, Open Office while using a Linux operating system.

DEVICE PROCUREMENT, STORAGE, SECURITY

An adhesive sticker with the student's ID information (picture, name, and ID number) will be placed on the lid of the laptop.

Netbooks will be tracked by the serial number which is on a sticker on the bottom and the MAC address of the network cards.

SUMMARYWe truly believe this proposal presents an exciting opportunity to move our school to the next level in regard to student achievement, innovative curriculum and instruction, rigor, problem based learning and college to Career readiness.

We have a quality staff starting with Dave Engelbrecht and Dan Kane and teachers who are willing to try new things.

I am confident although it will not be easy and it will not be without some issues and concerns, we are ready for this exciting, challenging opportunity to engage our Students deeper in their own learning through a school- wide Digital Learning Environment.