HCS Tech. Plan

Part I. Curriculum

An explanation of how acquired technologies will be integrated into the curriculum to enhance teaching, training and student achievement. How parents and the community will interact with this program as well as what collaborations the district is pursuing will also be covered.

CURRICULUM

Curriculum integration is essential to the Harrison Community Schools Technology Plan. Technology should not be a separate course of study, but must be a part of the curriculum. To this end, commitment by teachers, administrators, and the Board of Education is necessary. Commitments and goals in the following areas apply:

1. Staff and students model and use technology.
2. Staff is trained in technology applications.
3. Michigan Core Curriculum areas need to be identified where technology can be utilized to progress in alignment towards the state and federal standards.
4. Harrison Community Schools will access professional organizations and businesses for help and consultation.
5. Time for learning technology and placement in the curriculum must be provided for staff.
6. Technology will be integrated by teachers into daily and unit lesson plans.
7. Students and teachers observe the use of technology across the curriculum.
8. Students and staff will be presented with and be expected to follow an acceptable use policy in accordance with ethical usage of technology.
9. Students will learn and be able to demonstrate the usage of technology in daily life.
10. Students will be able to use technology to aid in problem solving within the context of their assignments.
11. Students will be able to make use of interactive media and distance learning opportunities to enhance instructional value.

Increased student performance and technological literacy will be accomplished by a combination of strategies:
1. Increased accessibility and exposure to technology at lower grade levels.
2. Further integration of technology oriented devices and ideas with current core curriculum.
3. Interaction with the community and local businesses to provide increased opportunities for learning.

Harrison Community Schools will identify and exploit new opportunities for curriculum integration by conducting repeated short department, grade level, and team meetings to discuss both the current usage of technology as well as any new ideas that have been found and deemed applicable. Difficulties and concerns relating to technology will also be discussed at these meetings.

Current Curriculum Plans

Current projects that have been proposed or are already being implemented for curriculum integration include:

1. Initiating a plan from K-8 to teach keyboarding and general computer familiarity by integrating lessons into elementary projects and lesson plans, while expanding the technology offerings in grades 6-8.

2. Integrating presentation software and research based methodologies into high school English department curricula.

3. Providing expanded CAD software offerings for use in the drafting classes.

4. Increased usage of spreadsheet and database software as aids in problem solving.

5. Increased offerings of distance learning opportunities through streaming media and the virtual field trip programs.

6. Make use of sign-out labs for science classes for such activities as “virtual dissections.”

Student achievement will be further enhanced by increased usage of data mining techniques to track standards progress with software packages and administrative software.

Technology delivery will be enhanced through the usage of online streaming media based on Michigan standards for education as well as offering homework over software such as Black Board in order to allow students greater access from the home.

Community involvement will be achieved by making use of a variety of means available to the school district.

Open computer labs and media centers to parents, senior citizens and other community members during evening and weekends where staffing provides.
Sharing expensive resources with community providers for goal based activities.
Communication between teachers and parents via web based newsletters.
Cable companies provide facilities and equipment for community broadcasting projects.
This technology plan will be available on the web and through district/parent newsletters.
Community contribution to this document and its implementation are both considered and encouraged.

Curriculum Integration Timeline
Objective: Technology as a part of curriculum
Step	Action	Assigned to	Start	Notes
1.	Teacher Training	Building level administration	Ongoing
2.	K-8 Classroom Integration	Building level administration	Ongoing	Usage of new computer labs, enhanced tech familiarity, expand keyboarding
3.	9-12 Classroom Integration	Building level administration	Ongoing	Increased usage of network resources, expansion of computer lab usage
4.	Department Meetings	Building level administration	Ongoing
5.	Re-evaluation of curriculum	Staff and administration	Ongoing	Annual Evaluation

Back: [ HCS HomePage ]

Collaboration

adult literacy service

Harrison Community Schools will work with adult literacy services and the Harrison Adult Ed program to take maximum advantage of technologies available. After school tutoring programs have been established to make technology available for youth, and adult patrons will have enrichment courses available in the future. School facilities are available for teaching of adult literacy services through the Community Ed program.

Harrison Community Schools connects with existing adult literacy service providers. These connections with groups and organizations maximize the use of technology.

Providers:

Public Libraries
Local colleges
Private schools
Clare-Gladwin RESD Consortium
Family Independence Agency
Health Department
County Extension Agency
Law Enforcement Agencies

Access:

The hardware and software acquired, along with the results of training given to the staff, will be used with all students in our elementary, middle and secondary populations. Access is also available to teachers, support staff members, and parent volunteers for the purpose of securing information that will enhance instruction and learning. To increase accessibility in the future, a sign-out lab has been proposed for each building in the district that would allow staff and students to make use of technology more readily in coordination with a software check out program to make economic use of available software licenses.

Back: [ HCS HomePage ]

Part II. Professional Development

A description of ongoing, sustained professional development for teachers, administrators, and school media personnel to further the use of technology in the classroom or media centers.

Professional Development

IN ORDER TO BETTER TEACH TECHNOLOGY, STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT TEACHERS HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO EFFECTIVELY UNDERSTAND THE TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATE IT TO THE STUDENTS. THIS MEANS THAT TEACHERS MUST BE PROGRESSING TOWARDS BOTH THE STATE AND NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR EDUCATORS. THE FOLLOWING PLAN WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO REACH THESE GOALS.

Outline of Harrison Community Schools professional development plan:

· Involve participants in planning professional development.

1. Poll staff at building level meetings

2. REMC Advisory Council

3. The use of committees, School Improvement Committee, District Technology Committee, Building Technology Committee, etc.

4. Administrative planned school in-service days.

· Assess needs and assure a sound planning process

1. Use of mentors for specific staff needs

2. Administrative surveys

3. Evaluate survey results

· Ensure knowledge of ethical usage

1. Professional development meetings to discuss ethical usage.

· Garner commitment and support from staff and district leadership

1. Use of building level mentors.

2. Administrative Meetings

3. Through the use of committees and staff meetings at the building level

4. Superintendent’s Meetings

5. REMC Advisory Council

· Plan for adequate time and resources

1. After school in-service

2. Staff meetings used as professional development

3. Full day in-service

4. Half day in-service

5. Release time for conferences or workshops with expenses paid

· Provide continuity of programs over time

1. Upgrading and reviewing software use and where it is most beneficial.

2. Workshops on specific software, MMS Generations, Student attendance, Accelerated Reading, Grade book software.

3. District and Building Technology Team coordination of programs.

· Provide clear expectations for program participants

1. Meeting agendas

2. School announcements

3. Program flyers, brochures, etc.

4. E-mail reminders

· Provide a conducive environment for learning

1. Appropriate setting

2. Central location

3. Appropriate materials, level

· Use adult learning principles

1. Hands on practice

2. Small group discussions

3. Curricular area break out sessions

4. Round table discussions.

· Provide flexible scheduling and options for participants

1. Scheduled at various times and locations.

2. Voluntary after school workshops.

3. In-service with specific topic choices.

4. Special interest conferences and workshops.

· Provide effective trainers/presenters

1. RESD Challenge Grant trainers

2. Vendor support personnel training

3. guest speakers at in-services or workshops

4. Volunteer staff with in-depth knowledge

· Use effective follow-up strategies

1. Design evaluation procedures

2. Refresher programs for program continuity.

3. Observation of classroom use

4. Implementation of technology in the classroom

· Use sound evaluation procedures

1. Follow up Survey of staff.

2. Staff Feed back at meetings.

3. Verbal responses of participants

Supporting resources

• The school’s accessibility, loan and use policies
• The policies for selecting software, hardware and related technology resources
• The school and district’s maintenance and security resources
• The human resources that are needed to advance the school’s vision for technology and the student’s achievement of the goals and expectations of their learning
• Operating manuals
• Training resources
• School district web page that lists available supporting resources

Description of the supporting resources that are presently available, and an outline of steps that need to taken for future growth:
• District and building level technology teams
• Coordination of Acceptable Use Policy
• Internet use is now handled on an individual building basis, with the addition of the firewall, grade/age level access guidelines need to be developed
• Software purchases appropriate to age and grade need to coordinate with curriculum
• Hardware purchases need to be standardized and authorized
• Lab rules and regulations should be standardized

Technology Resources
Objective: To provide knowledgeable resources for consistent implementation of technology.
Step	Action	Assigned to	Start	Due	Notes
1.	Write policies for adding software and hardware to computers	District Technology Committee	7/08
	Adopt district guidelines for Internet use by students	Building and District Technology Committees	10/99		Revised 2005
	Adopt a policy regarding loaning technology equipment	Building Technology Committee, Administrative Team, District Technology Committee	11/00		Revised 5/05

Professional Development Timeline
Objective: To provide appropriate level for learners and flexible schedules.
Step	Action	Assigned to	Start	Due	Notes
	Evaluate levels of learners	Building level administration	7/08	Continuous
	Break up training	Building level administration	9/08	Continuous
	Secure appropriate trainers	Building level administration	9/08	Continuous
	Provide appropriate environment	Building level administration	9/08	Continuous
	Do follow up evaluations	Building level administration	1/09	Continuous
	Do follow up training where evaluation indicates need	Building level administration	3/09	Continuous

Back: [ HCS HomePage ]

Part III. Infrastructure

Description of current infrastructure, needs, design, and how increased access to technology will be assured.

Description of Network Infrastructure

High School/Middle School/Community Education Complex
• Fiber Optic connection from the Network Operation Center to the Clare-Gladwin RESD providing Internet connection and Virtual Field Trips.

• Network speed is 1 Gb between closets

• Fiber Optic connection to wiring closet in High School with Cat 5e connections to each classroom. A minimum of twenty-eight (28) Cat 5e drops each in three computer labs and ten (10) Cat 5 drops in the Newspaper/Publication classroom. Seven (7) drops in the Media Center as well as additional switches for added access. A switch in the drafting area for five (5) CAD workstations.

• Fiber Optic connection to wiring closet in Middle School with Cat 5e connections to each classroom. Forty-eight (48) Cat 5e drops in one Tech lab and eight (8) Cat 5 drops in the Newspaper/Publication classroom and thirty six (36) Cat 5e drops in the Title 1 Reading Lab.

• Wireless receiver that services and provides access to Community Education building and the bus garage.

• Windows 2003 server for grading system

• NOVELL File/Network server for district DHCP service, student database, attendance system, user space/storage

Larson Elementary School
• Fiber connection to Media Center from the Network Operation Center

• 2 Cat 5 drops to each classroom with Internet access.

• Library sixteen drops with Internet access.

Early Childhood
• 54 Mbps wireless connection to Network Operation Center

• 2 Cat 5 drops to each classroom with Internet access.

• Office connection to SRSD and Internet.

Hillside Elementary School
• E. End fiber connection to Network Operation Center

• 2 Cat 5 drops to each classroom with Internet access.

• Library is wired with thirty-four (34) drops with Internet access as well as wireless access.

Amble Elementary School
• Closed, equipment distributed to other school buildings

District Office
• Fiber connection to office from Media Center @ Hillside Elementary

• Twenty-two (22) Cat 5e drop to each workstation with Internet access.

• Administrative access to SRSD.

• Cell phones and or Blackberry/Treo services to key personal.

INFRASTRUCTURE, HARDWARE, AND SOFTWARE THAT SUPPORT THE DISTRICT MISSION, GOALS AND STRATEGIES

Currently the greatest needs in the district are the upgrade of infrastructure and network wiring throughout all buildings, and the placement of existing workstations on a rotation plan. The current staff-issued classroom computers are in their 4th year of operation and are quickly becoming obsolete and incompatible with newer software releases.
The phone network is also essential to the proper functioning and delivery of material throughout the district. Plans are currently in place to upgrade and expand the phone system to be a single digital network over the next few years.
These problems have begun to be addressed this year, mainly through the use of money acquired from grant sources and USF funding. If the funding continue into next year, we expect to complete the infrastructure upgrade and network wiring throughout all buildings,

2008-2009
1. Apply for additional grants to increase availability for all students and staff.
2. Purchase additional classroom software and hardware, projection equipment, projection boards, etc.
3. Maintain an acceptable use policy.
4. Expand fiber network from Larson Elementary to Maintenance Building.
5. Add network and phone drops, switches & patch panel in Maintenance Building
6. Upgrade existing workstations RAM for better performance.
7. Provide for remote access of network resources to increase accessibility for teachers, parents, and students.
8. Upgrade the infrastructure where needed and network wiring throughout all buildings
9. Establish a long-range budget process.
10. Provide Secure Access to all wireless access points.
11. Build and maintain an Image Server

2009-2010
1. Maintain and consolidate Single Record Student Database.
2. Establish Library Automation system within each building.
3. Apply for additional grants to increase availability of technology accessible to all students and staff.
4. Enhance the procedure for building and teacher submission of web pages.
5. Continue to provide for network filtering appropriate to grade level.
6. Begin rotation of workstations in district.
7. Implement a redesigned sign-out lab in the Middle School.
8. Expand fiber network to Community Education & Bus Garage
9. Obtain software to enhance the learning process.

2010-2011
1. Explore Possibility of converting to a PRI for local and long distance services.
2. Continue regular replacement of equipment.
3. Apply for additional grants to increase availability for all students and staff.
4. Support and expand the AR reading program as well as other server based software packages.
5. Revise and improve online attendance and grading system.

Rationale

• Maintaining our systems must be a key component of the School District’s Technology Plan, due especially to the current shortage of funds that could impair the ability to replace equipment at an optimal level.

• Internet account management is through a firewall on site.

• Every school in the District has shared resources across the network by way of Internet, shared network drives, and networked software.

• The network allows staff and administration to share data and computing resources simultaneously.

• The District is participating in content filtering through the ASTARO firewall system to stop pornography and other unacceptable content from reaching our students in compliance with CIPA and other legislation.

• Electronic links to world resources are available at each desktop.

• Career planning information is available to all students from state and federal resources.

Local district Infrastructure Plan
Objective: To Provide a smooth, uninterrupted access to the network and Internet.
Step	Action	Assigned to:	Start	Due:	Notes:
	Repairs and Maintenance	Staff	Ongoing
	USF Applications	Elite Fund Inc.	Ongoing, yearly
	Upgrade Current Workstations RAM	Staff	7/08	9/08
	Upgrade Infrastructure	Pro Tech	7/08	9/08
	Fiber Network Installation	Pro Tech	7/08	9/08
	Long Range Budget	Staff, RESD	7/08	2/09
	Acceptable Use Policy	District Technology Committee	Yearly
	Software Upgrades	Varies	Ongoing
	Web Page Hosting	Casair	Ongoing
10.	Workstation Rotation Schedule	District Technology Committee	Yearly
11.	Internet Filtering	ASTARO/ Casair	Ongoing

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Harrison Community Schools will utilize the following organizations and businesses as technical support.

• REMC provides educational TV learning opportunities, technical materials, broadcasting capabilities, and other expertise.
• Computer Resources Inc. Software vendors
• CGRESD provides technical assistance, consortium coordinating, Web hosting.
• Ameritech provides local telephone service and 56K lines
• Charter communications provides cable TV, public access
• Various hardware vendors for technical support and warranty repairs
• Dell computers and related computer hardware.
• Pro-Tech Cabling Systems for internal wiring for network connections, network infrastructure and fiber optic cabling.
• Casair, Inc. internal wiring, wireless access points and network infrastructure.
• Local district technology staff.

These resources will be used at various times to provide:
• Installation of specific equipment, hardware, software, and infrastructure.
• Assisting in implementing technologies into the curriculum.
• Training on software and hardware
• Maintaining current systems

Harrison Community Schools contracts from CGRESD one full time the District System Administrator: Paul Berger and one part time (three (3) days a week) repair tech. The District System Administrator is responsible for all aspect of technology throughout the District including repairs and maintenance on technology equipment. In the future Harrison Schools may need to hire a full time employee to assist in repairs and maintenance.

Responsibilities of the District System Administrator include:
• Coordinating classroom technology use, maintenance and repairs.
• Assist in the identification of need, training, and support.
• Follow up with vendors for bids or repairs.
• Provide appropriate access for end users.
• Assist in the preparation of reports related to technology for Administration and committees.
• Act as an advisor on each building level technology team.
• Integration of new software and hardware.

Responsibilities of the Repair Technician:
• Assists in administering district and regional computer networks.
• Diagnoses technology hardware/software problems and either repair or arrange for repair.
• Assists in the maintenance of distract equipment and software inventory.
• Installation and configuration of systems and applications software.
• Assists in training of systems support staff and users.
• Maintain equipment inventory.

Back: [ HCS HomePage ]

Part IV. Budgets

Projected total cost of technologies to be acquired and related expenses needed to implement the strategic long-range plan.

1. After meeting guidelines established by Harrison Community Schools, students and staff may apply for a user account access to the Internet. Users have the responsibility to follow the guidelines established by Harrison Community Schools.

2. When On-Line in the Internet, students and staff will be required to sign in. File transfers must be pre-authorized.

3. Extensive use of technology for personal and private business is prohibited.

4. Any use of technology for commercial, product advertisement, profit purposes, or political lobbying is prohibited.

5. Use of the technology to access or process pornographic materials, inappropriate text files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the network system is prohibited. In addition, users have the responsibility to not access files that would be considered offensive, obscene, or prejudicial against individuals or groups.

6. Due to provisions of CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act), content filtering, file blocking, and other forms of security are used in varying degrees throughout the district as appropriate to grade level, any attempt to circumvent these measures will constitute a breach of this acceptable use policy.

7. Use of technology to send hate, harassing, or discriminatory remarks or using any other antisocial behaviors through e-mail is prohibited.

8. Users have the responsibility to not misrepresent themselves as another person, to use or alter files or accounts that belong to other users, or to alter passwords that belong to others.

9. Users have the responsibility to refrain from playing interactive or other types of games except as authorized by school personnel.

TERMS OF AGREEMENT

The District reserves the right to monitor usage of all technology. Students and staff use of the systems will be monitored to insure that all users are adhering to their responsibilities. This monitoring includes but is not limited to email, instant messages, computer activity, file transfers, and session logging. The District further reserves the right to take appropriate disciplinary action against individuals who fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy.

1. The District reserves all rights to any material stored in files and will remove any material that the District believes may be unlawful, obscene, pornographic, abusive, or otherwise objectionable.

2. The District has access to the Internet and other computer systems around the world. Parents of minors using this system should be aware of the existence of objectionable materials. Therefore, it is the parent’s responsibility to monitor students while on the Internet at home. The District does not condone the use of such materials.

3. The system administrator reserves the right to set quotas for disk usage on the network. Users will have the responsibility to delete mail messages and personal files on a regular basis to avoid excessive use of disk space. A user who exceeds their quota will be advised to delete mail messages and personal files on a regular basis to avoid excessive use of disk space. A user who exceeds their quota will be advised to delete files to return to compliance. If the user does not comply the system administrator will make the necessary deletions.

4. The violations on the preceding pages are not all-inclusive, but only representative and illustrative. A user who commits an act that is deemed misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action.

Print the Following:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Harrison Community Schools
Acceptable Use Agreement For Technology

Because access and use of technology is a privilege for the user, Harrison Community Schools has developed this Acceptable Use Policy for Technology.

I have read and understand the Harrison Community Schools Acceptable Use Policy for Technology and agree to comply with the responsibilities and abide by all rules and regulations of this agreement. I understand that failure to fulfill my responsibilities as they relate to the use of technologies in the school district may result in disciplinary action, including a loss of access to technology equipment.

Print Name:

Signature:

Building:

Parent/Guardian Signature:

Date:

Acceptable Use Policy For Technology
Adopted: October 11, 1999
Revised: May 6, 2005

Name:	Position:
·Mr. Paul Berger	District Technology Coordinator
*·Ms. Beth Canute*	Business, Computer Teacher
*·Mrs. Mary Oakley*	Science, Computer Teacher
*·Mr. Joel Woolston*	Middle School Teacher
**·Mrs. Juli Sian**	Elementary School Teacher
**·Mr. Tom Stier**	Middle School Teacher
**·Mrs. Andrea Andera**	Hillside Title I Math Teacher

Number	Item	Local District	Grants	Donations
	New Software	$5 000	$5 000
	Computer Upgrade	$5 000	$45 000
	New Infrastructure	$13 000	$51 500
	License Agreements	$20 000
5.	Training/Professional Development	$3 000
6.	Peripherals	$4 000
7.	Maintenance and Repairs	$2 000	$2 000
8.	Equipment	$20 000
9.	Supplies	$2 500
10.	Internet Services	$16 000
11.	Contracted Services	$122 000
TOTALS		$212 500	$103 500

Number	Item	Local District	Grants	Donations
	Software	$3 000
	Computer Services	$135 000
	License Agreements	$25 000
4.	Training/Professional Development	$4 000
5.	Software	$3 000	$2 000
6.	Computer Replacements	$80 000	$25 000
7.	Maintenance and Repairs	$2 000
8.	Internet Services	$16 000
9.	Equipment	$20 000
TOTALS		$288 000	$27 000

Access:

TECHNOLOGY BUDGET – PROJECTED COST

INTRODUCTION

NETWORK/INTERNET GUIDELINES

TERMS OF AGREEMENT