Eatonville Community Schools Technology Program

Dear Fellow Community Members,

I would like to share with you some of the discussions on how the school district plans to invest community technology dollars. The key question is how our schools can best meet our mission of excellence in education and preparation for life within the resources our community provides. Eatonville is not alone. Similar dialogues are occurring in school districts across our nation. Many districts have learned some hard lessons of what does not work. We have spent much time learning from the mistakes of others. I have seen what works and what does not work from previous experience, visiting our schools and talking to teachers and students.

A major error is expending technology dollars solely on computers while ignoring software, operating systems, networking, repair, staff development and security. Other errors include placing all computers in computer laboratories, classes that focus more on computer and software basics rather than using computers to increase personal productivity and grouping students of varying skills into single classes.

Technology tools in Eatonville Community Schools must enhance curriculum, student learning and support teachers. Kids love to use computers to learn. Excited kids learn easier. All students must have the opportunity to develop technology skills that support excellence in learning, personal productivity, decision-making and daily life. There is precious little time in a school day’s curriculum to add additional classes.

We understand we may not be able to acquire everything on the wish list. We will identify the key hardware, software, staff development and support needs to prudently safeguard the resources the community entrusted to our care for our children’s education and preparation for life.

Key elements of our technology improvement investments are:

Kindergarten through third grade- Students learn to use the keyboard, mouse and printer. Increase the number of classroom computer workstations.

Fourth and fifth grade- Students learn to prepare and submit written papers by computer word processing. Students learn to use spell checking and grammar checking tools, online encyclopedias and other library based resources.

Sixth through Eighth grade- Students learn to use both Macintosh and Windows based computers and applications. They continue to develop word processing skills by routinely preparing written work on computers. We will build on the excellent results attained by our students in the technology learning laboratory. Students conduct on line Internet research and learn to e-mail their class and homework to their teachers. Students learn to use presentation (such as Power Point) and spreadsheet software. Students learn to integrate scanned, digital and video images into their projects. Students begin making computer-based presentations to classmates.

Students learn and routinely incorporate work place computer skills in both academic and vocational curricula. Macintosh and Windows instruction will continue. All students will routinely submit written work using word processing and presentation software programs. They will use the Internet to conduct research, access advanced classes or lessons. Teachers will be able to access on line lesson plans and develop instruction. Depending on class requirements or career interests, the High School will offer classes or lessons on computer network management, repair and maintenance, video technology, web applications, using accounting and personal finance software. The High School will also offer advanced information processing to include word processing, PageMaker, FileMaker Access and knowledge base software tools. We intend to develop professional certification opportunities for our students.

This may seem like a bold agenda. The seeds of many of the programs are already in place. By linking them together from Elementary through High School level we can build upon our successes and become more efficient. We need to keep this curriculum-based agenda in the forefront of our investment decisions. Our Eatonville children need these skills, as well as the fundamentals, to be competitive in the job market today and in the future. The continued support of the School Board, faculty, parents and the greater Eatonville Community will provide our students the technology skills that support excellence in learning, personal productivity, decision-making and daily life.

Thank-you.

Ray Arment

Superintendent