Located in the south-central part of the Upper Peninsula, Dickinson County is a home to approximately 27,000 people. Dickinson Area Catholic School is one of three parochial schools in Dickinson County. It is a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school. The majority of families are in the middle to upper income bracket with both parents employed. The student enrollment is 169 with a staff of 1 administrator, 10 teachers, 7 shared time teachers and 4 support personnel. The school is within 115 miles of two universities and one college and is a part of the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District.

School Mission Statement:

The mission of Dickinson Area Catholic School is to mold students into examples of Christ. Each child can learn and has a unique contribution to make to the mission of the Roman Catholic Church. We provide students with a comprehensive educational opportunity by integrating challenging academics with Catholic teachings. Together with the family we strive to instill in our young people, qualities that will enable them to become successful productive Christian adults.

School Building:

Building Name /Address

# of Teachers

# of Students

Socioeconomic Status

(eligible for free & reduced lunch)

Dickinson Area Catholic School

406 West B Street

Iron Mountain, MI 49801

169

24%

VISION AND GOALS

Technology Planning Initiative:

Dickinson Area Catholic School formed a committee of educators, administrator, board members, parents and business leaders to envision the future technology needs of our students. This committee has been in existence for 8 years.

The vision of the technology committee is that technology will be used as a teaching and learning tool to be used by all classroom teachers and students in areas of the regular curriculum. The committee recognizes the value of technology as a productivity, administrative and communications tool to be used by all members of our school community. This is evident in both our school improvement goals and our Technology Plan goals listed below.

School Improvement Goals:

ü Writing Skills Across the Curriculum

ü Alignment of Curriculum with Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations

ü Integration of technology into teaching and learning

School Technology Vision/Mission Statement:

ü To create an environment for students, staff, administrators and parents which promotes ethical, moral and responsible use of all technology tools

ü To help the PK-8 school community to become independent users of the tools of technology at their appropriate level of understanding

ü To build confidence and to focus on the use of technology as a life long learning tool that will help students grow educationally, professionally and personally

ü To view the use of technology as a tool for learning and teaching

ü To use technology in areas of the regular curriculum to enhance creativity and broaden horizons

ü To develop an appreciation for diversity and create global awareness by connecting to the world in a supervised and controlled environment where common sense, critical thinking and sound judgment are encouraged

ü To make all members of the PK-8 school community aware of the inherent dangers and personal risks involved with the use of the Internet

ü Use an assessment plan to identify strengths and weaknesses in existing technology regarding infrastructure, distribution and professional development.

Specific Goals for Staff, Students, & Community:

ü Access to computers that contain effective curriculum-based software and Internet to enrich day-to-day teaching/learning

ü Student access in grades PK-8 to formal instruction in computer technology

ü To provide greater access for student and parents to current technology, homework, and benchmarks established by the school

ü To encourage community support and involvement in developing successful, technology literate future citizens

ü To provide staff with ample training and sufficient access to technology to allow them to expand technology integration using it as a tool to deliver and enhance current curriculum standards and benchmarks

ü To provide staff with professional development opportunities that will enhance their technology skills

Technology Planning Team:

Name	Position
·Patricia Covitz	Principal
·Annette Bal	Technology Coordinator
·Marianne Gardner	DACS Middle School Teacher
·Marci Ellis	DACS 2nd Grade Teacher
·Todd Dooley	Board Member, Business Partner
·David Butsic	President, DACS Board of Education/Parent
·Jim Covitz	Computer Technician Consultant/Technician
·Mitch Merkel	Technology Committee Chairman, Board Member

CURRICULUM

Goals and strategies, aligned with challenging State standards, for using telecommunications and technology to improve teaching and learning.

Dickinson Area Catholic School’s Technology Committee uses a technology curriculum covering grades K-8. It is based on Michigan Educational Technology Standards. The computer skill area for each benchmark is identified, in addition to the level of mastery required. The Technology Curriculum of Dickinson Area Catholic School supports our current policies, mission statement, and school improvement plan. It is designed to enhance the core curriculum that is being taught and to improve student learning.

Curriculum Integration

The goal of Dickinson Area Catholic School is to increase student achievement by integrating technology at all grade levels and in all areas of the curriculum.

Dickinson Area Catholic School’s Technology Curriculum can be obtained at http://www.imschools.org/tech/index.htm The school uses Iron Mountain’s curriculum since many of the students will attend that high school.

Michigan Technology Standards and Benchmarks can be obtained at http://www.michigan.gov/mde/

Technologies that are an integral part of the curriculum include network access, internet connection, computers for teachers, computers for students, digital cameras, data projectors, video production equipment, projecting microscopes, and hand held graphing calculators,

Student Achievement

Technology is integrated into the curriculum and classroom instruction at all grade levels, pre-kindergarten through grade 8. Levels of integration continue to increase as teachers receive ongoing training. There is a planned sequence of instruction at each grade level based on the State of Michigan Technology standards.

Pre-K/K – Students are introduced to the keyboard and work on programs designed for skill reinforcement. Students receive 30 minutes of computer instruction once a week in the computer lab. They also have access to classroom computers.

Grades 1 & 2 – They focus on keyboarding, basic word processing, and reinforcement of curriculum areas. They also use the Internet for research and investigation. First grade students receive 45 minutes of computer instruction once a week in the computer lab. Second grade students receive 45 minutes of instruction in the computer lab twice a week. They also have access to classroom computers.

Grades 3 & 4 – Students receive formal instruction on keyboarding, word-processing, and introduction to multi-media presentations, They receive 45 minutes of instruction twice a week.

Grades 5 & 6 – Students receive specific instruction in word processing, graphing, databases and spreadsheets in the computer lab for 45 minutes, twice a week.

Grades 7 & 8 – Students in grades 7 & 8 receive specific instruction in keyboarding skills, word processing, desktop publishing, databases, spreadsheets, graphing, multi-media presentations, video production. Students in grade 8 are introduced to GIS/GPS. All students in grades 7 and 8 have access to a laptop computer through the FTL program. This has allows for extensive classroom integration of technology. The 7th grade class publishes a school newspaper and the 8th grade class publishes a yearbook.

*There are also open lab times when teachers can bring their classes to the computer lab to work on class projects.

Technology in classroom instruction:

Alphabet recognition, reading skills

Phonics/spelling/writing

Writing pen pal letters

Writing a variety of letters

Typing poetry and paragraphs

Typing curriculum related sentences, paragraphs, stories and book reports

Internet research for science, social studies and religion reports

Typing a research paper for science, social studies, religion

Publishing stories, essays, poetry

Word processing, spell check, thesaurus, and grammar checking software used in writing process

Database and telecommunications for research

Multimedia projects with graphics, text and sound

Desktop publishing of documents and reports

Desktop publishing of newspaper

Desktop publishing of yearbook

Number recognition

Computer generated graphs

Math fact reinforcement/enrichment

Spreadsheets

Calculator functions

Research and presentation of science projects

Use of online encyclopedia

Use of databases and simulations

Desktop publishing of travel brochures

Collaboration with other schools via the internet

Webquests on various topics

Power Point presentations

Use of calculators and graphing calculators

Use of digital cameras

Use of video camera

Staff Use Of Technology:

Teachers and Administrator apply technology to increase productivity through the use of grading software and word processing applications. E-mail is the primary means of communication throughout the school. Presentation software is used as a teaching tool to enhance lessons and engage students in active learning. Teachers develop multi-media presentations to share activities and information with parents and the community. Teachers have created web pages for communication with parents, students and the community. Teachers post homework and lesson plans on their web pages. Teachers are encouraged to use Michigan Virtual University.

Timeline:

Technology integration outlined will continue throughout the course of the Technology Plan from 2007-2010. Curriculum will be updated as Michigan Educational Technology Standards are revised.

Technology Delivery:

Dickinson Area Catholic School provides access to Michigan Virtual University. Staff has access to this technology and is encouraged to take advantage of these courses as well as other online courses that are available. Eighth grade students will complete their online learning requirement prior to high school through Michigan Virtual University beginning in 2007. We are also able to use the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District’s distance learning facilities.

We communicate with parents and the community through e-mail, meetings, printed materials and our school website, www.dacsgod.org.

Parental Communication & Community Relations

Dickinson Area Catholic School is committed to regular communication with the parents of its students and values parental involvement in all areas. Advances in technology offer the school a greater opportunity to keep parents informed of all aspects of their child’s education. There is parent representation on the Dickinson Area Catholic School Technology Committee. Parents are surveyed concerning technology and curriculum needs. This information is communicated in the following ways.

Presentation of the Technology Plan to the Dickinson Area Catholic School Board of Education.

Posting of the Technology Plan on the school website along with the Acceptable Use Policy. See www.dacsgod.org . Posting of school newsletters, calendars, lunch menus. teacher lesson plans, student assignments and more on the school website. Communication with parents via e-mail

Collaboration

Dickinson Area Catholic School collaborates with others on a regular basis to share technology innovations and ideas. These include:

Iron Mountain Public Schools

Breitung Township Schools

Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District

Diocese of Marquette Schools

Teachers are involved in internet collaboration projects with other schools

Local business partners are members of our Technology Committee

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Strategies for providing ongoing, sustained professional development for teachers and administrator to ensure that staff know how to use the new technologies to improve education.

Dickinson Area Catholic School promotes on-going professional development in the area of technology by providing one-on-one training sessions, on-site sessions for basic skills and curriculum integration, professional development days, and opportunities to attend professional development at the ISD and state levels.

Professional Development Goals:

To promote ethical, moral and responsible use of all technology tools.

To provide staff with ample training and sufficient access to technology to allow them to integrate technology as a tool to deliver and enhance current curriculum standards and benchmarks

To provide access to numerous resources including the Internet for real world, curriculum-related support and research

To become leaders in state-of-the-art technology and use these tools to broaden all areas of the educational process.

Professional Development Strategies, Action Plans, & Timeline:

Provide staff with experience using the computer as a tool to deliver curriculum

Technology sessions during in-service days focusing on appropriate grade-level lesson plans (On-going)

Identify and inform teachers of training sessions and on-line courses from local ISD, MVU, and local universities (On-going)

Correlate PK-8 planning and provide technology support personnel to begin implementing interdisciplinary units at all grade levels (On-going)

Evaluate and update written curriculum to align with current State and National Standards (Yearly)

Integrate the use of the Internet as an information resource

Share websites and articles with lesson plan examples and activities (On-going)

Provide hands-on training to demonstrate specific Internet software (On-going)

Provide staff with instruction in using various types of projection equipment to better deliver curriculum (On-going)

Promote responsible and ethical use of technology

Provide training regarding appropriate use of technology (On-going)

Post school policies in all computer labs and classrooms (On-going)

Enforce school’s AUP with students and post on school website (On-going)

Review school technology policies and expectations with all staff at start of each school year (Yearly)

Provide in-service and visitation opportunities for new technologies

Offer training on specific skills and programs (On-going)

Optional after-school training sessions of school software (On-going)

Provide opportunities for staff to attend conferences on emerging technology (On-going)

Demonstrate new technologies via vendors and community resources (On-going)

Provide staff with notifications of grant opportunities (On-going)

Actively pursue new professional development funding from other resources (On-going)

Supporting Resources:

Policies: Acceptable Use policy, Internet policy, Photo Release policy, Diocese of Marquette Electronic Communication Policy

Manuals and printed material: Software Guides, Training Guides, Curriculum Guides, Staff Handbook, Periodicals

Software: Microsoft Server 2003, GradeQuick, Explorer 6.1, Microsoft Office Professional, 15+ curriculum support software packages

Online subscription services: Virus & Filtering Software, United Streaming Video, Access to REMC materials, Access to Diocesan video lending library, Informational school website, Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District and Marquette-Alger RESA support

Infrastructure, Hardware, Technical Support And Software

Strategies to identify the need for telecommunication services, hardware, software and other services to improve education or library services, and strategies to determine interoperability among the components of the technologies to be acquired.

Infrastructure Needs/Technical Specifications and Design

Dickinson Area Catholic School has its own file server which provides for the sharing of programs and peripherals such as printers and storing data. Most communication is done through e-mail, which is implemented through an offsite e-mail server. This e-mail can also be accessed from home by staff members.

Teachers of grades 3-8 use GradeQuick. All classrooms and offices in the school are equipped with telephones.

Building Specific Hardware and Software

1 fileserver for program and data storage, internet access and filtering

Category 5 cable running to each room in the building

Telephones in all rooms in the building

Cable TV access to each room in the building

A computer lab used for both scheduled classes and classroom drop-in use

All teachers have a laptop computer or workstation at their desks

A minimum of 1 computer in each classroom

Microsoft Office used as the productivity software in the school

High-speed internet access

Classrooms for grades 6, 7, and 8 have wireless points

30 wireless FTL laptops used with the 6th, 7th or 8th grade students

Each classroom has a printer

Laser printer and an inkjet printer in the computer lab

1 computer minimum in each classroom

Microsoft Office used as the productivity software in the school

Network switches

Network printing available to all computers in the building

Cable TV and VCR in each room in the building

Four LCD projectors available for classroom use

10 Digital cameras

Video camera

A computer lab used for both scheduled classes and classroom drop-in use

Telephones with voice mail in every classroom

Action Plans, & Timeline:

Computers are replaced when it is not economically feasible to repair them.

The file server is on a 4 to 7 year rotation schedule. This ensures that we have ample resources for staff and students. Regular replacement also ensures that current software programs and network operating systems run at optimal performance levels.

Printers and other peripheral devices are replaced when it is not economically feasible to repair.

Yearly support contracts are maintained for anti-virus and filtering programs.

Current software programs are upgraded as new versions are available and it is economically feasible.

Network operating software programs are upgraded as new versions become available and are economically feasible.

Additional Technologies Needed

DVDs

Student software

Projectors

Digital cameras for student use

Scanner

Technical Support

Dickinson Area Catholic School has a teacher tech in the building. Technology support is provided by two volunteers with extensive experience in the field. The volunteer technicians handle issues including but not limited to: planning, connectivity, network administration tasks, hardware repairs, upgrades, maintenance, inventory, software installations and Internet implementation, monitoring and filtering. The teacher tech also handles software installation and models and guides curriculum integration.

The DACS Technology Committee continuously reviews the value technology has on the curriculum in supporting student learning and classroom management. Resources and tools that no longer support the school’s goals are identified as “obsolete” and removed from the instructional program. When computer labs are replaced, technology that is still valuable to the school may be placed in classrooms to offer additional access for students. If there is an excess of obsolete computers they are offered to school families.

Repair/maintenance of technology is done on a daily basis. Any staff experiencing difficulty with technology uses the following procedures: Apply troubleshooting tips. Fill out a form or E-mail the technical issue to the volunteer technicians.

The DACS Computer Lab is monitored by staff and kept locked when not in use. Accurate inventory also helps track technology in the school. DACS has insurance coverage for all technology found throughout the schools. Filtering is in place for all student Internet users in the school. This is in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act that is in place.

Increase Access

Support for students needing assistive technologies is provided by Dickinson Area Catholic School when possible. Assistance is also provided by the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District.

As teachers and students become more proficient with technology, the computer becomes an essential tool in education. It is a goal of DACS that students and staff have adequate computer access to complete their tasks. Every classroom has at least one computer. Each 7th and 8th grade student has use of a laptop computer. The school has a computer lab where the teachers bring classes for instruction or to work on curriculum objectives.

Funding and Budget

Timeline and budget covering the acquisition, implementation, interoperability provisions, maintenance and professional development related to the use of technology to improve student academic achievement.

Categories	Existing Budget	2008-2009	2009- 2010
License Agreements: Norton Anti-virus and Contact Filtering	0	$ 1,500.00	$ 2,100.00
Hardware: (lab rotation/replacement, printers, parts, peripherals)	$1,000.00	$15,000.00	$ 1,000.00
Networking Infrastructure: (servers, cabling, switches, hubs)	$ 500.00	$1,000.00	$ 4,000.00
Software & Curriculum Integration:	$1,000.00	$1,000.00	$ 1,000.00
Supplies:	$ 500.00	$ 500.00	$ 1,000.00
Maintenance & Service	$ 500.00	$50,000.00	$ 1,000.00
Professional Development*	$ 500.00	$ 500.00	$ 500.00
Salaries & Benefits*
Climate Control*		$10,000.00
TOTALS	$4,000.00	$79,500.00	$10,600.00

*Professional Development, Salaries & Benefits, and Climate Control are funded through sources outside of the technology budget. Conferences and training are funded through budgeted Professional Development funds. Salary & Benefits for the teacher tech is funded by the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Community Schools. Climate Control, electrical, and renovations are funded through Building & Grounds.

Dickinson Area Catholic School is continually monitoring and upgrading the technology infrastructure in the classrooms, computer labs and administrative offices. Increased cost in Maintenance & Service in 2008-09 reflects planned upgrades in the computer lab that include electrical, HVC, AC and ceiling replacement. Computers in the Lab will also be replaced in 2008-09. The computers that are currently used will be placed in classrooms.

Coordination of Resources

Adequate financial support is essential to a successful technology program. The Dickinson Area Catholic School Board of Education is committed to providing state of the art technology for its teachers and students. The Board’s goal is to ensure that DACS students are well prepared to transition to the local high schools. The DACS Parent Booster Club helps provide funds through fund raising projects. In addition, when large amounts are needed, the Board of Education secures the necessary funds through capital fund drives or the school endowment fund. Interest free loans are available from the Diocese. Local, state and national grant opportunities are also researched. Technology expenditures are an ongoing budgeted expense for the school.

Conference attendance for professional growth is encouraged and supported with funds budgeted for substitute teachers and conference expenses. Title V funds are used to help cover professional development expenses.

The Iron Mountain-Kingsford Community Schools provide us with a computer technology instructor.

Teaming with Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District facilitates many projects promoting new technologies, student learning, and collaborations among local school districts. DACS has taken advantage of many of these worthwhile programs. Our teachers are invited to participate in most professional development activities that are sponsored by the Intermediate School District.

In addition to the technology budget, DACS has applied for funds from the Universal Service Fund program and will continue to apply on an annual basis.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Strategies that the district will use to evaluate the extent to which activities are effective in integrating technology into curriculum and instruction, increasing the ability of teachers to teach, and enabling students to reach challenging state academic standards.

Dickinson Area Catholic School’s Technology Committee is responsible for the evaluation and assessment of the technology plan and to make sure that school personnel adhere to the plan and promote the school’s vision and goals. Monitoring of technology goals, strategies, and action plans will be an on-going process utilizing the following format:

Collect data on an annual basis through planned surveys, observations, equipment inventories and classroom projects

Assess staff needs, concerns and recommendations through planned technology meetings

Monitoring results of MEAP and Terra Nova Tests administered to students

Technology Plan Evaluation form to be filled out annually under the direction of the principal

AUP’s are monitored for students and staff. Careful monitoring is done of student/staff activities on the internet and documentation and offense/consequence guidelines are followed. All staff members are trained on the policy and are aware of proper procedures. They are also responsible for following the Electronic Communication Policy for the Diocese of Marquette.

The Technology Committee will review data from the evaluation measures listed. The Committee will identify areas of weakness and develop strategies for improvement. Unmet goals will be met by providing additional professional development, reviewing the technology curriculum with all staff members, reviewing state and national standards with staff members and by providing additional resources and assistance for students who have not met expectations.

TECH PLAN EVALUATION FORM				YEAR:
Required Component	Accomplishments	Progress Towards Goal	Focus Area for Improvement	Notes
Curriculum Integration (Impact on student learning)
Professional Development
Infrastructure
Technical Support
Funding
Timetable
Coordination of Resource
Acceptable Use Policy

The Technology Plan Evaluation Form will be filled out annually by an evaluation team consisting of the technology coordinator, teachers and principal.

Acceptable Use Policy: Dickinson Area Catholic School’s Acceptable Use Policy can be obtained at http://www.dacsgod.org/Miss Bal/InternetAcceptable.htm