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Canfield Avenue School (Elementary)Mine Hill, NJ
Replication Details
We believe that when parents are on our side, schools can be more effective. But parent and community involvement does not just happen. It needs to be planned for. Replication can begin with an assessment of the level of parent and community involvement and, of course, existing technology. Parents and community members need regularly scheduled meeting times, usually in the evening. Teachers should be provided with release time and stipends.
In order to establish a community wide technology advisory program, time and energy are needed. The actual financial investment is minimal. The Mine Hill program was a volunteer effort that consisted of parents and staff. Because the community was involved in developing our technology plan, it was more inclined to support our annual school budget, as well as a referendum in 1998. The Mine Hill Township Board of Education supported our technology initiative and was represented by a Board member on our advisory program. Each budget reflected adequate funding for in-district and out-of-district professional development for staff. Volunteers helped to install our network and file server. As the technology program began to develop, the district was successful in obtaining a number of grants. The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation funded a unique proposal to establish technology-based alternative assessments in our fine and performing arts program ($15,000.). Bell Atlantic and the New Jersey Association of School Administrators funded a proposal to establish evening technology-based programs, taught by our staff, for parents and their children. In 1998, our community approved a $4 million school expansion referendum that included a $200,000 technology component. As a result, Canfield Avenue School offers a technology center with 40 IMACS. Each classroom has at least one IMAC connected to the internet. Our science lab has an IMAC on each station and grade 5-6 students can use IBooks to complete assignments in and out of school. Finally, we have 10 smart boards in the building. Our 375 students have access to 264 computers. |
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