SchoolNotes.com - Notes Page

Technology with the Bostian
Bulldogs

(Please scroll down for Mr. Sippel's 'tentative' schedule.)

Bostian Elementary school has a fully wired computer lab that houses 28 Intel iMac computers for students to use. There is an additional administrative station for the Technology Facilitator to use. Each classroom at Bostian has 2 or 3 eMacs for classroom access. Eight portable classrooms are wired with fiber optic cable for computer use as well.

Thanks to our wonderfully supportive PTA, Promethean Interactive White Boards have been installed in all regular classrooms and three additional classrooms. These boards offer teachers "interactive" capability with software that the entire class can see and to which they can respond. The school also purchased three sets of "Activotes" that allow each student to simultaneously answer questions electronically. The teacher can see each student response on a computer and decide how to proceed.

Six ActivSlates are also being used that allow teachers to "write on the board and manipulate material while standing anywhere in the classroom."

Additional digital equipment including digital cameras, video cameras, document cameras, a scanner and video projectors are available to teachers for use with their classes. A set of "Writers" have been purchased that allow students to key in text and wirelessly send their files to the teacher's computer.

A computer cart with 15 iBook laptops is available for sign-out by staff members. This allows teachers to conduct lessons anywhere on campus where a network connection is available. Each laptop has wireless connectivity to the network for document access and internet connection.

Almost every classroom teacher has attended training on media and technology integration and the IMPACT model. This training emphasized the integration of technology and informational skills across the curriculum. These teachers were given MacBook laptops and video projectors for use in their classroom.

News:

Some exciting new software titles have been recently added to the network for all grade levels.
KeySkills, Orchard, Prescriptive Instruction, WriteBrain and ClassScape programs are available tools to remediate and assess specific Language Arts and Math objectives on an individual basis.

Software titles include:

Appleworks
Inspiration
Kidspiration
KidPixSafari
Firefox
Accelerated Reading and Math
STAR Reading and Math
Math Facts in a Flash
Type to Learn
Keynote
Pages
Text Edit
Numbers
iPhoto
iMovie
Garage Band
Google Earth
Promethean
Orchard
KeySkills
Prescriptive Instruction
ClassScape
WriteBrain
Comic Life
(Various others)

A special "thank you" goes out to all teachers and teacher assistants for their efforts in preparing Bostian's students for the 5th grade Computer Competency Test each winter.

The process starts in Kindergarten when the children learn to login to the network by themselves and finishes in 5th grade when students are doing their own multi-media projects. In between those times, there is a wonderful staff teaching interesting lessons and keeping our students excited about coming to the lab.
Thanks also to the staff for their efforts in teaching Keyboarding skills through the Type to Learn software program.

Mr. Sippel's Tentative Schedule
I can be reached at Bostian Elementary School (704-857-2322)
unless otherwise noted below.
Please feel free to e-mail me if you cannot reach me by phone.

August 20 - Horizons (Technology Facilitator meeting)
September 1 - Holiday (No school)

September 3 - Millbridge Elem. PM
September 9 - Hurley Elem. PM (iTec training)
September 10 - Koontz Elem. PM (iTec training)

September 11 - Millbridge Elem. PM
September 25 - Horizons (Technology Facilitator meeting)
September 29 - Horizons (Technology Facilitator meeting)

October 8 - Koontz in PM (iTec lessons)
October 27 - Teacher Workday
October 30 - Horizons (Technology Facilitator meeting)
November 4 - Teacher Workday
November 11 - Holiday (No school)

November 12 - Koontz in PM (iTec lessons)

November 26 - Holiday (No school)
November 27 - Holiday (No school)
November 28 - Holiday (No school)
December 1 - NCETC Conference
December 2 - NCETC Conference
December 3 - NCETC Conference
December 4 - NCETC Conference

December 10 - Koontz in PM (iTec lessons)
December 16 - Horizons (Technology Facilitator meeting)

Disclaimer: Linked sites are not under the control of the school district or its employees. The school district is not responsible for the contents of any linked site, any link contained in a linked site or any changes or updates to such sites. This web page provides links as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of the site. Please contact the school if you have concerns.

In compliance with federal law, the Rowan-Salisbury School System administers all educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination because of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law.