School Life

Committees

Technology Committee

We envision a school where our students gain the education in technology needed to function in the third millennium. These skills will enable our students to better pursue their academic goals, to be prepared for life in a technological age, and to better do God's work in the church and the world.

Specifically, we plan for our students to develop skills with word processing, presentation software, and using the internet for research of topics relevant to the curriculum with the goal of preparing students for higher education.

Our technology plan is developed by the Technology Committee and is reviewed and updated annually. The Technology Committee is comprised of parent volunteers, administration and faculty. The goal is to continue staff training, provide as many up-to-date computers as possible, as well as to keep the software library current.  

Computer Lab

Our Computer Lab has 16 computers and a computer instructor. In addition to teaching computer and other technology skills, integration with the curriculum is essential. In light of this, Sacred Heart’s technology literacy goals are combined with goals for integration of technology with the curriculum. The goals for our students are:

• Grades Pre-k and Kindergarten learn to use the keyboard and mouse.
• Grades 1 -3 continue to learn to use the keyboard and use graphing and word processing software in conjunction with the curriculum.
• Grades 4 - 6 use software programs to enhance the study of geography, social studies, and science. Increased word processing expertise is an expected outcome.
• Grades 7 and 8 learn to use presentation, multimedia authoring, and spreadsheet software as part of the requirements for class projects in specific content areas.
• Co-Curricular additional computer classes are now being introduced by an outside company specializing in computer education.

Classrooms

Each individual classroom has several computers that the teachers employ as part of their daily instruction.  The teachers work with the Computer teacher to coordinate their lesson plans, and make sure that students employ those skills they are learning in the lab into real projects. Each classroom is also equipped with high-speed internet access, large TV monitors, VCR/DVD's for whole class viewing and presentation of projects. It is our plan to purchase ar least three (3) additional PC s each year, assuring that each classroom will have at least one PC that is no more than 2 years old.

SmartBoards

Over the last few years, we have added four (4) Interactive SmartBoards along with projection units for use in the classroom. These are digital whiteboards that interact with the programs on the teachers' PCs. Consultants have been brought in to provide tips and techniques to the teachers as to how best to use the SmartBoards.  Additional SmartBoards are on order.

Teacher-Parent Technology Partners

To better support our teachers, we have assigned each teacher a Technology Parent Partner. The partners are members of the Technology Committee and will serve as the Teacher's liaison to the Technology Committee as well as the primary point of contact and support for the teacher.  The goal is to provide individual support for the teacher in the following areas:

• Hardware issues - help to resolve problems with computers, printers, scanners,  Smartboards, TV, VCR/DVD's, Internet access
• Software issues - offer help on Microsoft Office Programs (Word, Excel, Power Point) Email
  Best Practices Backup procedures, Virus and Spy ware protection procedures
• Make sure each teacher's technology wish list is communicated to the Technology Committee

Parent Teacher Email Guidelines

Sacred Heart has established email accounts for all classrooms. All addresses are set as the grade name for a teacher's homeroom, e.g. grade1@sacredhrtrky.org, grade4@sacredhrtrky.org

Please keep the following in mind when using this additional means of communication:

• Accounts will be routinely checked, but may not be checked at the end of each school day or after hours.
• Communication that is urgent should be directed to the teacher via direct letter, or via call to the office for emergencies.
• Do not send any email to change your child's after-care status - for example: from bus to car/walker.
• Please bear in mind communication will be opened by that classroom-\'s faculty, but may not be exclusive to the teacher when the classroom has an aide.
• Do not send attachments, chain mail, or forwarded images, letters, or solicitations.
• Do not use these accounts to retrieve homework or project assignments.
  This material is posted at www.schoolnotes.com Enter zip code 07866 for faculty listing by last name.

Volunteers are needed for the Technology Committee.