Technology in the Schools: iPads

As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education, we wanted to provide you with an update on the impact of iPads on learning at our schools, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between screen time and traditional learning methods.

iPads have proven to be incredibly impactful in enhancing our students’ educational experiences. Through the use of educational apps, interactive resources, and multimedia tools, iPads have fostered engagement and creativity in the classroom. Students are actively exploring concepts, collaborating on projects, and demonstrating their understanding in innovative ways. The versatility of iPads allows for personalized and differentiated instruction, accommodating diverse learning styles and abilities.

While we celebrate the benefits of iPads, we also recognize the value of a well-rounded education that encompasses traditional methods of learning. It is crucial to strike a balance between screen time and offline activities to ensure a holistic approach. Our teachers are committed to integrating a variety of learning experiences that include hands-on experiments, group discussions, reading physical books, and outdoor exploration. We believe that this balance promotes critical thinking, problemsolving, and social-emotional development.

To further support the balanced use of iPads, we have implemented guidelines and strategies that foster responsible device use. Our students are taught about digital citizenship, emphasizing the importance of using technology ethically, responsibly, and safely. By nurturing their understanding of responsible device use, we empower them to make informed choices and navigate the digital world with confidence and integrity.

We encourage ongoing communication and collaboration between parents, teachers, and students to ensure a healthy relationship with technology. Engaging in conversations about screen time limits, setting boundaries at home, and monitoring the content accessed on iPads can reinforce responsible use and maintain a healthy balance.

We are committed to providing a comprehensive and wellrounded education that prepares our students for success in the digital age while honoring the benefits of traditional learning methods. We believe that by striking this balance, our students will develop critical skills, resilience, and adaptability, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in an everchanging world.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we navigate this exciting educational journey together.

Buildings & Grounds: Completion of 2017 Bond Projects

Facilities and maintenance continues to be a very busy department. Not only are bond projects coming to an end, but Long Term Facility Maintenance and Capital projects also continue. With the regional and national focus on clean water, we are happy to report that the drinking fountain/bottle filler project is completed at the middle school and Tilden. The middle school is also getting a new dust collector for the technology education area, along with the high school’s new carpeting.

The community will also begin to see the approved outdoor updates taking shape. These include improved landscaping at buildings, which will then lead to updates to our irrigation systems, so we can keep the grounds looking good throughout the year. We have also continued our focus on safety items, including expanding our district-wide camera systems and increasing the number of security cameras. We are also rekeying the interior locks in our buildings to add a layer of protection and simplify the ability for emergency personnel to access our buildings if needed. In addition, the doors at Kennedy, Pinecrest, and the middle school will be replaced.

Finally, we look forward to some interior improvements. The middle school media center has been emptied in preparation for a full renovation. Also, for the upcoming year, due to the loss of our space at the national guard armory, the gymnastics team will be moved to the south gym for at least one season. And last but not least, Tilden will see a classroom remodel so that we have additional space for a full-size preschool classroom.

These projects are so important in supporting the success of our students from pre-k to 22. And, they would not be possible without such generous support from the community. Many of the items above are able to be purchased with money from the 2017 bond, which sets us up to use other dollars, in the budget, for learning and the sustainability of programming.