Sunday, January 9, 2011

Inclement Weather

A reminder that weather related announcements will be distributed via KMA and the Omaha TV stations.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Will Richardson

Time to get back on the blogging trail. Great day with Will Richardson.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Students and Staff Featured on National News

On Monday, March 23 a crew from NBC news in Chicago will be at the high school to do a story on the service project students and staff undertook to help the Brownfields whilc Dave was hospitalized. The story will run on the Nightly News with Brian Williams sometime in the next week or two.

1-2-1 Information

Thursday, March 19 staff from Sidney Schools met with Mike Meeker from Apple Computers. An agreement has been reached with Apple to offer a 1-2-1 laptop program for all students grades 5 – 12 beginning in 2009-10. The 9-12 students will have the use of their laptops 24/7, and the 5-8 students will have the use of their laptops during the school day, with the possibility of expanding use as the year progresses. As part of the program, there will be an Implementation Night for all students and parents. Put these dates on your calendar:

• Thursday, August 6: Class registration for all K-12 students at their respective buildings. Registration materials will be sent to parents prior to the registration day.

• Monday, August 10: Implementation Night for all 9-12 students and their
parents/guardians. All students and parents must attend as policies and procedures will be explained to the students and parents. An Acceptable Use
Policy must be signed before a laptop will be issued to the students. Laptops
will be issued on the 10th.

• Tuesday, August 11: Implementation Night for all 5 – 8 students and their parents/guardians. The same procedures will be followed as with the 9-12 students, except the laptops will not be issued to the students.

• More detailed information will be forthcoming, including the time of the meetings. The district will also have available 30 – 40 laptops for use in grades PK – 4. Technology on-site and additional technology that has been ordered will make this program possible. The program will be financed with federal grants and state one-cent sales tax revenue.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Technology Panel

Yesterday I was asked to serve on a panel at Heartland AEA in Des Moines. Also on the panel were Tim Geyer - Norwalk Technology Coordinator; Cathy Molumby - Valley Superintendent; and Jeff Dicks - Newell/Fonda Superintendent. We presented information to superintendents, AEA personnel, and technology coordinators about how technology has been integrated into the curriculum in our schools. It was a very enjoybable and informational session. I shared with the group the progress the district has made over the last few years leading up to the implementation of a 1-2-1
laptop program in 2009-10. The vision and talent of community members, board members, AEA personnel, and staff have made this progression possible. Newell/Fonda is a district of 410 students in northwest Iowa. They are in the first year of a 1-2-1 at their high school. Mr. Dicks shared with great enthusiasm how the 1-2-1 is positively impacting learning and teaching in their district! Sidney CSD will be sending a team of board members, teachers, and administrators to Newell/Fonda sometime this spring to learn more about how to effectively implement the 1-2-1 initiative. Its an exciting time for our students, staff, and community!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Facilities Study - Sidney, Hamburg, Farragut

The facilities study for the Hamburg, Sidney, and Farragut Boards has been completed. It will be in the hands of board members this week and released to the public on March 9. The study will be distributed electronically via email and the school webpage. Hard copies will also be available at various locations in town. The study will be a discussion item at the March 16 board meeting – copies will be available at the meeting. March 30 the facilities study, along with a high school program study, will be considered by the three boards at a meeting to be held at 7 p.m. at the Hamburg High School Auditorium.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

SIAC/Joint Board Meeting

The public is invited to attend the School Improvement Advisory Committee meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at the high school commons. The administration and personnel from the AEA will share student achievement data, student learning goals, and preview the Powerpoint that will be shared with external visitation team at the Department of Education site visit March 24, 25, and 26.

Also, the public is invited to a joint board meeting of the Hamburg, Sidney, and Farragut boards on March 30 at 7 p.m. at the Hamburg High School Auditorium. The meeting will be facilitated by AEA Chief Officer Glen Grove. Ed Gambs will present the findings of a facilities feasibility study he conducted for the districts. Also, the secondary principals will present a curricular and co-curricular report, based on potential opportunities for students in a high school of 250 - 350 students.