Greetings Thompson School District Students, Parents, Staff and Community Members:
Welcome, officially, to 2019. For my January Blog, I would like to focus on our future work and direction with technology in Thompson School District.
For many years, budget challenges have hindered the progress of technology replacement, upgrades and new initiatives in our school district. Thus, there is a high potential for improved operations in business and instructional technology. Last school year, Innovative Technology Services (ITS) began planning to accelerate the modernization of TSD technology. With improved funding, ITS plans to bring TSD technology up to current standards, especially in comparison to other area school districts.
Modernization initiatives have begun in three technology categories: foundational equipment, applications and efficiencies. The foundation of TSD’s technology is network infrastructure and user hardware. This includes the reliability and functionality of network systems, telecommunications, intercom/bell/public address/clock systems and technical support systems. The network infrastructure is the most important aspect of TSD’s technology, as all other systems and applications run upon it. Also foundational is user equipment, including staff and student devices, classroom projection and copier/printer services.
The use of curricular and instructional applications is where the biggest benefit occurs for teaching and learning. Software runs our business operations, enhances our teachers’ ability to deliver lessons and gives students access to engaging curriculum in all content areas, digital citizenship, innovative design, computation thinking and communications. Applications also enable our students to improve their collaboration skills and become knowledge creators.
Finally, efficiencies are needed to get the most out of our technology investments. These include how we train and guide teachers and students to maximize the use of both administrative and instructional technology.
Once we have modernized all three aspects of TSD’s technology, we will reap the benefits of improved operations and education for our students.
Thompson School District is poised to upgrade our technology infrastructure, systems, hardware and software in order to meet the requirements of current standards. Beginning immediately, we will look for system-wide improvements and upgrades to support our students, our staff and our District community.
Meanwhile, please don’t forget that Friday, January 11, is the deadline to apply for open enrollment for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. A copy of the application can be found by visiting www.thompsonschools.org/openenrollment.
Also, I hope you will join us on Thursday, January 24, at 5:00 pm for our next Facebook Live event. The focus of discussion will be the social emotional needs of our students, including what the challenges are and what the district has in place to assist students of all ages. During the Facebook Live event, you will have an opportunity to ask questions in real time by using the comments feature. If you aren’t able to join us, a copy of the entire conversation will be posted soon afterwards on the district’s Facebook account. TSD’s Facebook’s page can be located by visiting the Facebook site and searching for “@ThompsonSchoolDist.”
I wish all of you a phenomenal 2019.
Dr. Marc Schaffer
Superintendent of Schools
Thompson School District