21st Century Schools ... How?

This blog entry is about technology integration in public school instruction and how Attleboro has been and continues to be woefully behind in this area. In fact, if you went back a couple years, before significant efforts were made by certain groups, there was a huge lack of the type of technology that I'm talking about.

I think it's important for me to explain what exactly I mean by "technology integration." Some will automatically think, "Wait, I've seen computers at the schools, so what's he talking about?" Look, computers are great tools and the fact that we have computer labs and even computer classes is important and necessary. But what I am talking about is not the desktop PCs that you can see throughout the schools, nor specific classes dedicated to computer learning. I'm talking about the type of technology that can be used during regular class instruction.

In fact, here is a quote from an article on the subject from the website www.educationworld.com:

"Integrating technology into the curriculum is a priority—if not a mandate—in most schools today. Most educational technology experts agree, however, that technology should be integrated, not as a separate subject or as a once-in-a-while project, but as a tool to promote and extend student learning on a daily basis."

This is where we are lacking in Attleboro, and as always the elephant in the room is money. So, we need to be honest with ourselves, we're not going to be able to take our schools into the 21st century strictly and solely within the school budget. Yes, we have an almost $60 million budget in Attleboro, but the great majority of that covers salaries, building costs, stationary, repairs, etc. 

Could taking our schools into the 21st century with regard to instructional technology integration be made a priority and funded through the regular budget? Sure, but will it? Likely not. Not when we are trying to do things like having full-day kindergarten for all, maintaining and expanding other instructional programs, ever-increasing special education programs, ever-increasing staffing and maintenance costs, etc. The truth is that this type of technology will likely never be considered a priority and is thought of more like a "nice to have" than a "have to have."

So, then how do we do this? It pains me to say it, but this will likely only happen through groups such as Parent Teacher Organizations and booster clubs—nonprofits with active members who are dedicated to making these schools better.

I can talk to this from experience. Six years ago, I had just taken on being the new president of the PTO at l and at the same time, through a normal steering committee process, the school had a new principal, Mathew Joseph. Since both of us were new to these positions, we met over the summer and discussed each other's priorities, ideas, etc. 

Matt, having previously been involved in technology integration in another district, had a concept for a laptop computer cart for use within the classrooms. The idea was to have 25 or so laptop computers on a portable cart that could be brought into the classroom, with each child being provided a laptop for use during the instruction. This was a high-cost concept, and would take a lot of work, but I saw Matt's vision, presented it to the PTO and we embraced it.

But Matt wasn't the type of principal to just stick his hand out and ask for money, which is probably why this worked. His concept came with an idea of how to fund this, which was by holding a new annual fundraising event—a golf tournament. In the first year, we raised almost $9,000. Combined with some donated funds from the PTO, this paid for the laptop cart. And what was so great was that although this was a PTO event, it was Matt, the principal, who chaired it and really (with help from the staff and PTO members) made it happen!

Matt of course brought other ideas, including podcasting the morning announcements every day. What a great idea. I'm a strong believer in communication, and this was a great way to keep parents informed using technology. In fact, this concept actually led to the four students who performed the podcasting every day, along with parent chaperones and Matt, going to Georgia to present this at a national educational technology conference. And it was the students who demonstrated the podcasting to teachers, principals and superintendents from around the country.

While there, I and other parents were able to see other forms of technology, and one concept really stuck out. This was SMART Board technology. Here's a quote from the website www.smarttech.com:

"Combining the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard lets you deliver dynamic lessons, write notes in digital ink and save your work—all with the simple touch of a finger"

Believe me, this explanation doesn't do this technology justice. In discussions with Matt, as well as the PTO, we embraced this new idea and for the next four years and dedicated ourselves into making Hill-Roberts a 21st century school. Each year, we held the golf tournament, and even though the profits decreased when the economy suffered, we were still able to increase this technology. 

In the first year, we purchased two setups, and we're talking large, 72-inch units that were permanently mounted to the classroom "wall" (wall is in quotes because this is Hill-Roberts, one of the two open-class schools).  Through profits from the PTO book fairs along with the annual golf tournament and other fundraisers, we were able to purchase a few more over the years.

By year four, we actually had 13 full systems throughout the school that were donated with the stipulation that these units remain at Hill-Roberts.  We're talking one for every fourth- and third-grade class, a couple for the second- first-grade classes, and even a portable setup for the kindergarten classes. No other school in the district had (or has) anything like this, and to say that I am proud that by working together Matt, the staff and the PTO were able to accomplish such an amazing thing would be an understatement.

A few years ago, my daughter moved up to middle school and then last year my son as well, making it time for my wife and I to move on as well. I'll admit is was difficult since I had put so much of myself into making that school better for the kids. But this was tempered by the fact that Matt was moving on as well, leaving Attleboro for another principal position. He and I had many conversations as for his reasons for leaving, but I won't go into details in this discussion. 

I'll admit that I was a little disappointed that a steering committee was not properly used at the time to hire the new principal, but more so by the fact that the principal that was appointed was not of a higher technology level, like Matt was. In fact, I had been made aware, at the time, that a former head teacher with a high level of technology knowledge and experience was going to apply for the position, but was never able to because the position was never properly posted, as required by school committee policy. What a shame.

Anyway, both of my children are now at and again there is a great group of parents and teachers who dedicate themselves into trying to make the school better for our kids. So, this year my wife and I presented the idea of holding a golf tournament fundraiser for the purpose of increasing technology integration in the instruction for the middle school.

Our concern was that the students at Hill-Roberts all have this daily, exciting instruction through this technology, but then they come to middle school and it is not there. Since Hill-Roberts is already at such an amazing place in this regard, I believe it is needed at Coelho—especially since just about every Hill-Roberts student comes to this middle school. 

I would hope that everyone would agree that having five years of instruction with this type of 21st century technology (grades K through four) and then having it just going away (in grades five through eight) is not for the best.

So that catches us up to the present day. On Saturday, June 16, the Coelho PTO is holding its first annual Tee-Off for Technology Golf Tournament fundraiser for the purpose of increasing this type of 21st century technology in the daily instruction. Yes, we'll need teachers and administrators who will embrace such a thing, but as the saying goes "if you build it (or in this case, buy it) they will come."

Since this is for such a great cause, I would like to let everyone know that if they would like to play in this event ($100 each for 18 holes of golf, cart, prizes, raffles and a buffet lunch, with teams of four players) or sponsor a hole ($100), they can contact me at 774-266-4898 with any questions. 

At the same time, I would like to take a quick moment and thank some of those who are helping to make this happen. It is through their support and dedication that we, the Coelho PTO, will be able to make Coelho Middle School better for our kids.

Special thanks to school principal Reza Sarkarati and the teachers and staff at Coelho, who have made donations or are playing in the event; the Lacrosse Boosters, who held their tournament a couple weekends ago and allowed us to hand out fliers and provided information; Chemawa Golf Course and all of our hole sponsors, including:

• The South Attleboro White Hawks Football and Cheerleading Organization
• The Scott F. Viera Charitable Foundation
• Northeast Diamond and Castings, Co. Inc.
• Mosquito Shield
• Nelson Dental 

Also, thanks to state Rep. George Ross, who continues to be there for our kids.

So, ultimately, I think we need to realize that these technology advances will not likely happen through normal channels. That means if you want your child's public education to be better when it comes to the type of technology that is used during their instruction, it will have to be done through other means, such as what we have done at Hill-Roberts and what we are now trying to do at Coelho. 

If any PTO or booster group is interested in information regarding this type of technology, or even holding a golf tournament fundraiser, please feel free to reach out to me. We need to support each other through partnerships in order to meet these lofty goals.