It's been one year since our Technology Vision was established. Look how far we've come in just one year . . .
Before the start of the 2006-2007 school year, the Aquin Catholic Schools developed, with the help of Accenture (http://www.accenture.com/), a Technology Vision and Plan. The objective of this effort was to envision how information and technology could be more strategically used throughout the entire school system, and to develop a roadmap that would show the way to achieve our vision. A representative cross-section of stakeholders participated in this important project: administration, faculty, staff, parents, and technology leaders from the community. Less than a year later, we have followed the plan and taken a large stride toward our vision.
Our Technology Vision, identified three key areas to focus the use of information and technology:
- Integrated in the classroom to enrich the students’ learning experience.
- In the curriculum, as a path itself, to allow our students to be better prepared for the world in which we live; interconnected, where information is readily available but must be harnessed to be used effectively.
- In the administrative and staff functions, to allow faculty and staff to be more productive and in a better position to work effectively with the students.
Many of the developments are visible to the entire Aquin Schools’ community. For example, we have:
· Re-architected our internet presence and developed policies and procedures to keep our web-site fresh and informative, as well as (hopefully) fun and interesting to visit.
· Deployed over 60 newer computers throughout the school system, in every classroom, in a new lab in the elementary school, in the elementary school Discovery Room, in the high school library so it can function as a more relevant resource center, and in the all the systems’ offices.
· Established a partnership to publish all the pictures from school events, which can be viewed online as well as easily purchased as photos (all sizes), mugs, buttons, etc.
· Deployed flat-panel TV/monitors at the high school, which constantly provide information feeds regarding school news, current events, and key announcements and messages to the students and all who enter the high school building.
· Deployed TVs in the elementary school classrooms so educational shows on stations such as PBS, History Channel, and Discovery Channel may be used to augment classroom instruction;
· Deployed new software to teach keyboard skills at a younger age in the elementary school.
· Deployed office suite software (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, database) to all our computers so our students can learn from the latest software key skills needed in the workforce.Unfortunately, many of the developments are not visible to our community, but are extremely important as either part of the foundation upon which we will continue to add more capabilities or as tools for faculty and staff. For example, we have:
· Re-architected and standardized the electronic communication mechanisms between faculty staff as well as between our community (e.g., parents, students) and the Aquin Schools’ faculty and staff.
o Every staff member has a standard email address.
o Established the policy and mechanism to provide a lifelong email address to all Aquin High School alumni (began with Class of 2007 and will gradually roll-out to all graduates).
o Established the policy and mechanism for instant messaging within the school system to minimize classroom interruptions and provide for better connectivity throughout the school system.
· Established a safe and secure internet access capability throughout the schools with wireless capability at the elementary school.
· Created a partnership with Paypal to provide us with an online shopping capability (in development) and a more cost-effective payments processor.
· Rolled out policies and technology for use of Teacherease as our
electronic gradebook, assignments and academics tracking, and parent
communication.Thanks must be given to our gracious donors to the technology fund: the Ted Luecke (’51) family, the Karl Schleich (’38) family, the Robert Smutzer family, and Jack Myers. Credit for what has been accomplished can only go to extreme volunteerism. Many have given their time and talents to these projects, but special thanks belong to Laura Diemer, Michele Morrison, Valerie Stabenow, and Carl Scace.We have come far in a short period of time, but we have many more aspirations. The coming year will bring more classroom solutions (e.g., microscope that can be viewed on a computer and projected on a large screen), an evolving technology curriculum, more improvements to our website (e.g., ability to shop for spirit gear, pay fees, register for school), and a more robust student management and alumni management system.If you are willing to help in any way, we can make use of your talent.
Thank you,
Rich Chang
Aquin Catholic Schools
Junior-Senior High Campus 1419 South Galena Avenue Freeport, Illinois 61032 815.235.3154
Elementary Campus 202 West Pleasant Freeport, Illinois 61032 815.232.6416