It is important to celebrate the work we do here at Lincoln. I am constantly reminded and inspired to improve and grow professionally every time I see my colleagues at work. Enthusiasm, motivation, good faith, collaboration, intelligent decision making, coordination, good teaching and learning do take place here at Lincoln. Every day. We just need to remind one another more of it. In such spirit, I would like to share with you some of the work the ICT Department has been involved in during the last few months since the beginning of the school year. I have also been tasked by the Technology and Library Committee to create a weekly IT E-mail Newsletter to all the staff, and let this be the first one. The Weekly Technology Update. It won't be fancy, but it will have serious content. I promise to be consistent.
Celebrating ICT Department Accomplishments - A Good Thing to Do Just Before Thanksgiving
1. A renewed (and renamed) Technology Library Committee with faculty and parent representation has been established. The committee meets monthly and has reviewed the Tech Plan, recommended the approval of a Library Tech Proposal, and discussed several issues affecting technology integration, standards, staff development, collaboration, and library services at our school. Members of the committee have provided training to staff and faculty on technology use and integration. The committee has made several recommendations to the administration and continues its work faithfully.
2. Participation in the architect’s planning for a new library building has resulted in the inclusion of a Genius Bar, a Computer Lab, ICT Office, Server rooms and high-speed Internet access with WiFi to their library plan.
3. The first phase of implementation of Google Apps for Education as the basis for e-mail communication in our school has been completed. The entire staff, all secondary students, and some elementary students are using Gmail. Teachers and staff are also using Google Calendar to schedule events and book resources. Some faculty members have created class websites using Google Sites, and continue to use Google Docs in their classes for collaboration.
4. The acquisition of 2 MacBook Carts for the Elementary Tech Trek Program.
5. Upgrade of infrastructure, including new file and active directory servers, new printers (including two color printers,) new scanners, new firewalls and switches, and improved security and stability of our local network.
6. Acquisition of additional bandwidth from our two providers, Subisu and WorldLink.
7. Completed the installation of a new library server and the library automation software.
8. We have Installed inResonance, and continue to implement the modules that come with it, including a robust and flexible student information system, a teacher access module for easy grade and attendance reporting, as well as an upcoming family access module that will allow parents to update their biographical and demographic records online, check on their children’s attendance and academic results, and search a directory of families.
9. We continue to help our school’s parent outreach program through the update of the school’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages and e-mail groups; helping out with the design and the content of the school’s newsletter; and providing tech support during events involving parents and other community members.
10. We coordinated the implementation of MAP testing, including technical preparation, ongoing conversations with NWEA, training for proctors, and the upload and retrieval of data to the NWEA servers.
11. We have provided support to the Counseling Office, setting up Naviance, which will provide teachers with an opportunity to submit letters of reference and other admission documents to universities around the world instantaneously over the Web, as well as give our students and families invaluable insight on the college admission process.
All of these accomplishments are the result of well-coordinated efforts among different individuals, including Rustam, our Systems Administrator, Megh, our IT Technician and Electrician, and Arun, our Elementary Computer Specialist. The hard work and leadership of individuals such as Bridged, our Registrar, Minush, our Secondary Administrative Assistance, and Sudeep, our Counseling Administrative Assistance, especially in the implementation of inResonance has been remarkable. The Technology and Library Committee have done an incredible job providing ideas and motivation. Bernie, our Secondary Counselor has led the way for Naviance to be implemented and gave useful insight in the implementation of inResonance. Others have given support and guidance along the way, including our administration, faculty and staff members. I am sure every department here at Lincoln has many reasons to celebrate. We continue our work, faithful that what we are doing is good for our students and our colleagues. Happy Thanksgiving!
