THE EAGLE PLYMOUTH NORTH HIGH SCHOOL 41 OBERY• APRIL 2021 • ISSUE 3
The Plymouth Public Schools Goes 1:1 The Plymouth Public Schools offer a Chromebook for every student in order to transition into a 1:1 model By: Kailey Reardon According to the Plymouth Public Schools Chromebook Handbook, some of the benefits of 1:1 learning include personalized learning and different instruction, enhanced student engagement, motivation and ownership for learning, and global connectivity. Though this model is very new to students and staff members in the Plymouth Public School district, PPS Educational Technology Coordinator Julia Colby and PNHS Tech Integration Specialist Jeff Hudson are hopeful when looking into the future regarding the 1:1 model. ELA Teacher Mrs. Michelle Terry is taking full advantage of the new technology available to her students. “1:1 has really helped facilitate a hands on learning experience for my American Literature students. They read The Great Gatsby on Actively Learn and have the advantages of having the text read to them, translated to them, and questions embedded within the reading,” said Terry. “Knowing the kids have technology in the classroom and at home has been so helpful to plan for digital reading and all of its benefits.” Hudson adds how he envisions the 1:1 model can aid students in their individual responsibilities, while also enhancing their abilities to learn both inside and out of the classroom. Hudson said, “We see it as an investment in the future of our students and a fantastic opportunity for them to access the world’s collective knowledge resulting in increased student ownership of learning. Through this initiative, we hope students seize the opportunity to seek out personal interests and learning experiences that will serve them and their community in positive ways down the road.” Plymouth North Freshman Max Wodzinski relies on his school Chromebook for all of his in-class work,
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Ashlan B photographed by Hannah Caple
homework, and Google Meets. Wodzinski said, “I’m glad that the school offers us Chromebooks because it makes homework and classwork easier and more accessible for us as students.” It is important for all students at both high schools to understand that the Chromebooks being offered to students are brand new. Plymouth North High School Tech Integration Specialist Jeff Hudson ensures students that the Chromebooks are of great quality for all work that needs to be completed in school and at home. “The beauty of the new Chromebooks is that they are relatively inexpensive, simple, and reliable,” said Hudson. “Breakages are almost always caused by student misuse and/or accidents, and component failure is rare among the new Chromebooks because of their simple design blended with our management of devices geared toward safety and sustainability.” In addition to understanding the qualities of the Chromebooks, it is also important for all Plymouth Public School community members to understand the benefits of the 1:1 model. A Chromebook for you, and you, and you too! The Plymouth Public Schools has worked hard with a plan to provide
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Future of Trips PN participates in Service Learning Trips in the Dominican Republic, however, due to Covid-19 they were not able to go
he resources for 1:1 learning within their district. Though the COVID-19 pandemic has been unlucky in many ways, the PPS district was granted money through the Coronavirus Relief Fund and CARES Act to ensure every student would have access to a Chromebook. Plymouth Public Schools Educational Technology Coordinator Julia Colby said, “The 1:1 model is one device/one student -- a device available for every student in our district. In our case, it would be a Chromebook.” The Coronavirus Relief Fund did allow for a Chromebook to be ordered for each student. All students at the elementary school and most at the middle school are taking advantage of this resource. Instead of taking Chromebooks, many high school students are turning to their own devices, rather than taking their own Chromebook. At Plymouth North High School there has been a total of 411 Chromebooks distributed and at Plymouth South High School there has been a total of 460 Chromebooks distributed. At Plymouth North High School, 55% of freshmen have taken a Chromebook, 30% of sophomores have taken one, and
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% of juniors have. The Chromebooks are a resource for students in the remaining months of school. With the return to full-in person learning districtwide, all students will have the opportunity to get a Chromebook, if they have not already. In addition to sharpening their pencils, students are expected to arrive at school everyday with a fully-charged Chromebook that will last them throughout the school day. Chromebooks will help teachers reduce the use of paper waste significantly. In addition, going 1:1 will allow all students to be able to connect with their teachers. “We are very fortunate to be able to offer a 1:1 to all students in Plymouth Public Schools,” said Colby. “This will be so exciting for teachers and students, especially when we are back to normal and students are attending school fulltime again and teachers can integrate the technology whenever they need to.” As learning with 1:1 technology begins in the Plymouth Public Schools, so does standardized testing. The Chromebooks are a resource that will be used for all students of all levels to take this year’s MCAS testing. All freshmen and sophomores will need to take out a Chromebook before their standardized testing begins. To get a Chromebook at Plymouth North High School, simply fill out the Chromebook loan form of technology agreement. Students at Plymouth North High School with questions or concerns about their Chromebook can stop by Room 105 to seek assistance from Tech Integration Specialists Jeff Hudson and Joel Connors. Other inquiries can be directed to ppschrome@plymouth.k12.ma.us.
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Sports Tournament After a cancelation of last season due to Covid 19 Spring Sports are back, looking different this year