News | January 20, 2022
NEW AND IMPROVED TECH FOR KANELAND BY AYSHE ALI
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Assistant to the Adviser
aneland students and staff members rely on technology to get their work done every day. Whether students are using their Chromebooks for Kahoots or teachers are using their laptops to keep students informed about their daily tasks, everyone benefits from having upto-date technology at their disposal. Over the summer, District 302 Director of Technology Tim Wolf applied for a federal grant of over 1.5 million dollars to fund new devices for students and teachers, as well as adding WiFi capabilities to all district buses. “I had this idea that if we got WiFi on buses and students could use their Chromebooks, they could treat it as a
study hall. Let’s say it takes an hour to get to school and an hour to get back; you could get a lot of work done if you could use your Chromebook,” Wolf said. A router will be installed and tested on one bus before WiFi is installed in all 64 buses. If everything runs smoothly, the buses will be WiFi 6 capable and equipped with 5G routers in hopes that students get the best quality internet that will last as long as possible. “Many students who have extracurricular activities after school don’t always have the time to do their work at home," freshman Kirsten Johnson said. "The bus would be a great time to get work done.” In addition to adding WiFi on all bus-
Photo by Ayshe Ali
As we continue to move towards a future where technology usage in schools is growing, Kaneland buses are advancing as well by adding WiFi. Next year, the bus rides to and from school can be productive and helpful times for students with busy schedules.
es, the majority of the grant money is being used to provide students from fourth to twelfth grade with new Chromebooks. “We’re allowed to get up to 3,100 Chromebooks with the grant, which will cover any of the students that have threeyear-old Chromebooks,” Wolf said. “I applied for touchscreen Chromebooks, and we were approved for that.” While the grant money does not completely cover the cost of laptops for teachers, it aids in providing them with new devices. Social studies teacher Kelsey Flanagan believes that new laptops will give teachers the chance to work to their full potential. “With the way that technology advances in general, I’m sure there’s technology with better processors and battery life that will make it a tool for us to use, especially since most of what we do has gone online as opposed to print materials,” Flanagan said. The grant deadline to purchase the equipment is June 30, 2022. Students, beginning with those in fourth grade, will get their new Chromebooks next school year. And if all goes to plan, district buses will have WiFi capabilities next fall.
2022 WELCOMES A NEW PRINCIPAL TO KHS BY SOPHIA OPP
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Co-Editor-in-Chief of Print
fter her 19-year career at Kaneland High School, Principal Jill Maras is set to retire at the end of the 202122 school year. This means KHS will soon be introduced to a new principal for next year. A panel of administrators, teachers and community members have conducted interviews, and according to Assistant Principal Carri Oslager, the final selection is likely to be determined by the end of February at the latest. “We will go through the process at the beginning of second semester, and we will identify someone so that person can not only come in and be introduced, but they can also work with Maras and other administrators so when they take over officially in July, they will be able to hit the ground running,” Oslager said. Many people have a voice in this process. Students and staff have been sent surveys, there is an interview team and there are many different steps that are taken before the position is appointed. “It starts with [Superintendent Dr. Todd Leden], and they filter through people. They get feedback from families, then we sit and talk with them and get input as
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it goes through there,” Oslager said. Maras is involved with this process as well because she, more than anyone, knows what this job entails and who would be fit for the position. “District offices ask for my input about the job description and what my recommendations for what we are looking for are, not [recommendations of] specific people. Then I step back and let them go through the process,” Maras said. Maras will then come back into the process after the new principal has been selected to help ease their transition. This shift may be difficult, but many people see the positive side. Oslager says a fresh pair of eyes may lead to new ideas or advancements for KHS. Choir teacher Bryan Kunstman thinks as long as our new principal shows strong leadership and communication skills, this will be a smooth transition. “I do believe a good leader will find a way to work with everyone connected to our school to create a learning environment where everyone is supported and is proud to be a Knight,” Kunstman said. It is too early to know who the new
principal will be, but regardless, Maras and many other Kaneland staff members and students have high hopes. “[I’m just hoping to see] compassion and genuine care for Kaneland. There is not a right or a wrong,” Maras said.
Photo by Sophia Opp
Starting this July, a new principal will enter current Principal Jill Maras' office and prepare for the 202223 school year. The selection process is ongoing.
Page design by Alan Tapia
