Friday, May 29, 2009

Laptop initiative in Stillwater protected for another year

An update to the story I posted on yesterday, Stillwater has found a way to protect its laptop initiative for the next year:
Addressing a roomful of ardent technology supporters and critical school board members, District 834 Superintendent Keith Ryskoski said laptop computing initiatives at the school system's two junior highs will continue in their present form next year.
That is great news for students. But the question still remains how districts will consistently provide technology to all students in the future. If it is left to local levies to fund, there will be further inequities in education state-wide, based not on need or the advantages of having technology but subject to the whim of existing tax burdens.

So, for instance, district residents' decision whether to fund a technology initiative could be based more on a reaction to an existing tax burden outside the district's control - like a county or city tax increase - rather than a desire to support technology.

There is coming a time when student access to technology will be as necessary as their access to pencils and notebooks. Under the current system with all its inequities, students attending school in areas with a high tax burden will have less opportunity, and therefore will be less prepared, compared to students attending school in areas capable of affording technology.

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Sea change in Stillwater?

This is big news out of Stillwater:
The Stillwater schools superintendent said Wednesday he "dreamed of ways" to expand a successful laptop computer program at Oak-Land Junior High to the district's other secondary schools. Instead, he is recommending the program be discontinued for lack of funds.
Instead:
Ryskoski instead suggested the district focus on staff development, improving the phone system and enhancing existing networks to support students who bring their own computing devices to school.
I think Stillwater's decision could be viewed as a sea change in the way we look at providing technology to kids. There is nothing to suggest school districts will suddenly be flush with funding to supply each student a device. Nor, based on how things have changed since Stillwater began its laptop initiative, will it necessarily be an efficient use of funds in the future.

Laptop prices are already dropping significantly, and they enjoy much increased usage in our society. Plus, ideas about how to deliver technology are changing. For instance, it may be that most things normally stored on a hard drive will, in the near future, be stored in an information "cloud," alleviating much of the need for hard drive space on an individual unit and further dropping the cost of a school-ready laptop.

Each year, school districts are finding new ways to use computers to enhance education as well as make it more efficient. We're not there yet, but I foresee a day when a laptop or compatible device, rather than something that is provided by school, will be something that goes home on a school supply list.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Math GRAD standards relaxed

For the next five years, students will be able to graduate from high school even if they don't pass the math GRAD test if these requirements are met:
  • Complete all coursework and credits required for graduation
  • Receive district-prescribed math remediation
  • Take at least two retakes of the math GRAD test, or pass it, whichever comes first
  • Pass the reading and writing GRAD tests
The exemptions were necessary due to the large number of students unable to pass the test. To put it in perspective, had these changes not been made to the standard, many tens of thousands of next year's seniors would not have been able to graduate. That would have been a catastrophe for the state and for kids.

Make no mistake, there are issues with the standard we hope can be worked out in the next five years. A move in the right direction would be to look at "end of course" exams instead of the cumulative test that exists now. In the meantime, we are just relieved the legislature put a stop gap in to prevent the worst case scenario from coming to fruition.

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Friday, May 22, 2009

A realistic approach to kids and the internet

This is a really great idea:
Josephson Institute accepts as an irreversible reality that kids will send text and video messages wirelessly and use the Internet extensively -- and will do so more and more. Its strategy is to become so proficient in these new technologies that it can harness them in the service of its mission to improve kids' lives by strengthening their character and decision-making skills.

Josephson invited the Character Counts community to vote on a name for a new positive Web site that would be designed by and for kids. They selected www.Mylife24-7.org.

Now, with the aid of a national cadre of student ambassadors, Josephson is building a place in cyberspace where kids can connect, reflect and evolve in a safe and positive setting -- a place you'll want your kids to go because they'll grow.
With social networking becoming such an integral part of our society, and with no sign the trend is going to change any time in the near or far future, this is an idea waiting to be embraced. As it stands, education as a whole has too little involvement with teaching kids responsible online usage.

As I noted in Just the beginning, the ramifications of not providing that guidance could be staggering in the future. Hats off to Austin Public Schools for being a leader in helping kids manage the online minefield toward a better future for all.
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Thursday, May 21, 2009

Help us serve you

It's been well over a year now since NBAPS started the Key Communicator network. Since that time it has grown, and we have received positive feedback about the information the service provides.

Because it has been a successful initiative, we are now offering online Key Communicator registration at the District website.

As a Key Communicator, you will be high on our priority list any time a situation warrants immediate communication. The goal of the Key Communicator is to address topics that are being talked about in the community, and provide the network accurate information on those topics.

You will also receive "Board Brief," a short summary that follows regular School Board meetings, and many important date reminders as we move through the school year.

If you are interested in District news, I think you'll appreciate being a Key Communicator. We promise not to flood your inbox with e-mail either. We try to use our Key Communicator network only as needed, and won't take advantage of your desire to be informed to overload you with District "spam."

What have you got to lose?

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Monday, May 18, 2009

Transformative

eSchool News has an interesting page highlighting how online instruction is transforming education.

Check it out.

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Thursday, May 14, 2009

It's in the demographics

CNN today has demographic information regarding the Hispanic population in America:
The U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday that the minority population reached an estimated 104.6 million - or 34% of the nation's total population - on July 1, 2008, compared to 31% when the Census was taken in 2000. Nearly one in six residents, or 46.9 million people, are Hispanic, the agency reported.

Even more telling for the future: 44% of children under age 18 and 47% of children under the age of five are now from minority families.
According to the article, real estate agents can be added to the list of careers that will likely require some Spanish in the future.

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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Just the beginning

This article from eSchool News serves as a valuable reminder that what goes online is available to the world, and that colleges and universities are adapting and using social networking as an evaluative tool:
About a quarter of the colleges and universities polled in a recent survey by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) said their admissions officers research prospective students' social-networking profiles before extending admission or scholarships. That means a Facebook picture from a weekend party might cost a student a spot on a premier campus.

In years to come we will likely see years buried social posts used to scrutinize political candidates, prospective employees, and even potential partners. Teaching our kids to be responsible users now could save them all kinds of potential issues down the road.

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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Preparing for the future

There was a very important editorial on the need for global education in Friday's Pioneer Press. Author Dana Curran Mortenson:
The global reach of the two biggest stories of the year to date — the H1N1 flu virus and the economic crisis — has highlighted in a powerful way that many of our most pressing issues transcend national borders. From the economy to the environment, terrorism to health care, 21st-century challenges require leaders who are globally aware and informed.
Regrettably, most American students are not adequately prepared for this reality.
Mortenson goes on to write that we need to stretch students' world view and enhance their technological skills in all areas of curriculum. Why? She goes on:
In today's global economy, businesses are looking for graduates with advanced global and technical skills at younger ages. Students without access to advanced programs that help them build these skills are at a significant disadvantage in the competitive global marketplace.
Mortenson captures, as well as anyone, why we are thrilled about the additions and changes made to NBAPS curriculum for next year. World Language not only increases students global awareness at a younger age, it sets them up to be more receptive to it through their entire education.

Spreading technology through the curriculum will give students access to more tech tools more often, and make them more adaptable to new technologies as they come on line (which is just about every day nowadays).

If our end result is graduates with a better understanding of global issues, prepared for, and comfortable with, technology as a tool, we are preparing them to succeed in a global marketplace.

I will end this post with Mortenson's conclusion:
Parents and communities must also understand the importance of global education and support programs that provide students with more opportunities to explore global issues. Global education is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity, and we must work to ensure that our students feel connected to the world at large and are prepared to tackle the global challenges of the 21st century.


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Monday, May 11, 2009

DD on TV

The Post Review has put together a great video of highlights from the Detention Debut this May. If you've never been to one you can finally see what you've been missing. Our staff works hard for months to put the Detention Debut together and their talents are on full display.

What a great performance it was and, best of all, the proceeds from the event go right back to our graduating seniors in the form of scholarships.

We are so very proud of this event and hope you are too.

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Friday, May 8, 2009

Football coaches and ADs

I really do appreciate the opportunity to answer questions and hope I get more chances in the future, especially when those answers help get accurate information into the community. I would encourage people who leave comments to use a name, if only because it makes it easier to distinguish one Anonymous from another.

In any case, here is some questions, left by Anonymous:
As of Wed. 5-6-09 the head football coaching position was posted. It was my understanding that Coach Link was still the head varsity football coach. Isn't that what you said? He still had his football coaching position but did not have a teaching position? Why is thjat posted? And as long as we are on positions It was my understanding that the Activities Director has retired and why is that position not posted?
The head football coach position was posted earlier this week, after the head football coach indicated he would not return in a conversation with the AD. (We have also received a written resignation letter. - Ed.)

As to the AD position, details regarding the posting were still being sorted out as of yesterday morning. It was posted at 2:45 p.m. yesterday afternoon.

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Goals and Ideas

I'd like to take this opportunity to respond to a couple of recently left comments. First is this one left by Anonymous:
Your goal for your first year in North Branch was to bring Q Comp to the district and you achieved that, this year it has become obvious that your goal was to bring Spanish to the elementary grades, and it is looking like you accomplished that. Could you give us a heads up what your next year's goal is?
Thank you for your question! To clarify, Q-Comp was already in the works when I arrived at NBAPS so it is others that deserve credit for bringing Q-Comp to NBAPS, although I certainly have supported their efforts! To further clarify, Spanish at the elementary level was pursued and accomplished by the entire leadership team at NBAPS. As to next year's goals, they will be guided (as this year's goals were) by the Strategic Plan, a wonderful document put together by representatives of all stakeholder groups in our District. It guides all of our decisions and we are grateful to have it.

I would also like to offer a response to this comment:
Thank you for doing this project. One suggestion as a parent of only a preschool student is to maybe do this a little earlier so that preschool kids can participate (even if it is just picking up the grounds around the primary school). I think this is really important even at that young age. Thanks
I couldn't agree more! Due to the short time frame we had from inception to project date, not everyone who might have wished to be involved was able. Community Service Day was only made a reality due to a donation of $1,000 by County Market in early March. With schedules so tightly packed toward the end of the school year and so little time to plan, it was necessary to keep the project realistic and manageable for this year.

I am proud to report that, despite the abbreviated planning process, District staff has really pulled together to make this important initiative a reality. For next year, we expect planning to begin much earlier, allowing for more opportunities to participate, which we will certainly extend to preschool students.

Once again, thank you both for your questions and your input. I always appreciate the opportunity to have a dialogue about the great things happening in North Branch Area Public Schools.

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Community Service Day

It's been kind of "under the radar" because budget has taken up so much time since March, but exciting things have been going on behind the scenes here at NBAPS.

One of those things is the first annual Community Service Day, scheduled for May 15.

Students from across the District will be in our communities helping with general spring renewal, including picking up debris, raking, painting, visiting with senior citizens, and more.

So, if you see groups of students and teachers out and about next Friday, chances are it is us. We are very excited about this opportunity to give back to those that support us.

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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Swine flu reaction softening?

The state health department's guidelines for dealing with swine flu have evolved many times over the past week, and are now starting to relax:

Saying "the world looks very different today than a week ago," Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan said Monday it's no longer necessary to close schools if the new swine flu is discovered among students or staff.

Magnan announced that the state is scaling back some precautionary measures because the new strain seems to be acting like ordinary seasonal flu, rather than the dangerous epidemic that some had feared.

Of course, ISD #138 is watching events very, very, closely and will communicate accordingly.

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Monday, May 4, 2009

The Latest Tools

North Branch Area Public Schools is now on Facebook and Twitter. You can sign up for either one or both and get updates from the District.

We're still studying the potential for using these communication tools. If you have suggestion, leave it in comments. Thanks!

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