School is off and running and there is a great deal of excitement throughout the halls and classrooms as we begin a new year. Fall sports and activities are in the spotlight with something happening nearly every evening throughout September and October. Each is off to a successful start (wish we could say the same for our Vikings) and we all hope the momentum carries through to November.
Over the past five years we have upgraded and substantially improved our technology throughout Central School District. These improvements include not only the hardware that has been purchased and installed, but many network improvements as well. Central Schools now operates seven complete, up to date computer labs throughout the district, with each building containing two plus the media center at the middle/high school. That gives us a less than 5 to 1 student to computer ratio throughout the district, not including other areas with student access. This goes all the way back to an operating referendum passed in the fall of 2003 and renewed in the fall of 2008, for which we are very grateful.
Our network has been upgraded to allow parent access to attendance and grades via JMC, our student records program. This has been available in the Middle/High School for five years and the elementary is currently going on line with this availability. This is taken care of at the building level, and parents and students are kept up to date by teachers entering information.
Homework and class information is available to parents and students via the Moodle program on our network. From the district web page parents are able to access course content, assignments and other information on what is happening in the various classrooms throughout the Middle/High School. Guest access may be obtained by simply using 108 as the password.
Newsletters are available on line as well by signing up through the various building web pages from the www.central.k12.mn.us district web page that covers all the district happenings. We hope to get a large number of subscribers to this, and one need not have children in the building to sign up. Some of the buildings have been utilizing this service already, and with good feedback.
Finally, we would be remiss to not mention the tireless work of our technology coordinator, Mr. Jeff Kienitz. Jeff unselfishly puts in numerous hours to ensure that we are not only working to maintain, but enhance our technology options. Give him a way to go when you see him.