First, let me begin with an apology: I have broken a primary rule of blogging- Never leave a blog idle for several months; this is a sure-fire way to lose readers (however many there may be). So, I sincerely apologize for staying away for too long and pledge to do a better job during 12-13 with blog updates.
Now, on to the exciting news...
Many of you may be aware of the fact that the district has moved forward with the installation of a professional grade wireless network district-wide. This has allowed us to also move other technology based initiatives forward pending available funds. The exciting news comes in the form of some higher than expected revenues and lower than expected expenditures resulting in the availability of funds to be used for various district initiatives. In addition, the community approved a referendum in the fall of 2010 providing the district access to some additional funds. All of these factors came together this year to create an advantageous situation in which we could accomplish some district goals and meet community and student expectations. In this very blog, you can scroll down and see the posts regarding "creating a vision" as well as some older posts regarding what we wanted to accomplish with referendum dollars; in both cases there are multiple references to technology for student use and infrastructure improvements.
With that said, the district was able to purchase 100 laptop computers on 4 carts to be used at all levels, totally update the elementary computer lab, and purchase ipads for all staff members which can be used in an inter-active manner with the existing SMART boards installed in nearly every classroom. These additions will help move us closer to our goals of creating a 21st century school with ubiquitous access to technology for students and staff.
Where did this money come from? First off, we had nearly $65,000.00 in revenues which were truly not expected; approximately $30,000 came in the form of SBS payments from the federal government from the last few years (07-10) which is reimbursement for expenses incurred by the district involving medicaid over that time period. The other $35,000.00 came in the form of a transfer from the district's section 125 account back to our fund 10. This transfer is a result of accruing employee payments for health care premiums and other 125 eligible expenses into the 125 account which the district then reimburses itself for. In addition to these revenues, the district also saw a huge reduction in our LP budget due to the mild winter resulting in an additional $34,000.00. These factors came together and allowed us to move forward on these technology purchases.
This could not have happened at a better time as many districts (including those neighboring Prairie Farm) are moving to 1 to 1 computing models where every student is supplied with some form of computer. We were not able to move in that direction fully at this time, but have taken steps to get us there over the next 2-3 years.
It should also be noted that we are making progress on nearly every item discussed in the referendum meetings and will have very positive news to share regarding that progress when we once again ask voters to approve a new referendum in the fall of 2013 to be levied beginning with the 2014-2015 school year when both of our current referenda expire.
Again, I apologize for the blog being silent as long as it was. Thank you for your support and encouragement as we strive to make Prairie Farm the best district in western Wisconsin.
Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions.
Craig Broeren
broeren@prairiefarm.k12.wi.us
715-455-1683 ext. 119
Friday, June 29, 2012
Thursday, October 13, 2011
2011 Speak Up Survey
Calling all K-12 Students, Educators & Parents
We are pleased to announce that the ninth annual Speak Up surveys are now open for input from K-12 students, parents, teachers, librarians and administrators. Speak Up is your way to have your voice – and the voice of all education stakeholders – impact local, state and national policies and programs on education and technology. In these challenging budget times, Speak Up is more important than ever.
To take the survey yourself or have your students take the survey, please visit: www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2011 and access the online surveys using your school or district "secret word" password: panthers
Since 2003, over 30,000 schools have participated in Speak Up. Be part of the Speak Up movement – sign up your school or district today!
Why participate in Speak Up? No other survey research project is like Speak Up!
Speak Up is facilitated annually by Project Tomorrow. This is our nonprofit mission to do this for schools and districts as a 100% free service.
Every school and district (public, private, charter etc) is eligible to participate with no limit on participants. Just need to register to participate!
Have your students, parents and staff take the surveys and you will get you’re your own local data plus the national data for benchmarks.
National data is shared with Congress, US Department of Education and many state governors’ offices. No local data is shared though – we are not in the “gotcha” business.
All data is 100% confidential.
All surveys are online making it quick and easy to administer. Take the 20 minute survey at home, at school, anywhere with an Internet connection.
No need to write your own surveys! All of the benefits with Speak Up with none of the time or costs involved on your part.
This year's audience specific surveys include questions on teaching and learning with technology, and new emerging technology issues such as mobile devices, blended learning, and digital content and learning games. Plus new questions about online assessments and funding for education technology!
We are pleased to announce that the ninth annual Speak Up surveys are now open for input from K-12 students, parents, teachers, librarians and administrators. Speak Up is your way to have your voice – and the voice of all education stakeholders – impact local, state and national policies and programs on education and technology. In these challenging budget times, Speak Up is more important than ever.
To take the survey yourself or have your students take the survey, please visit: www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2011 and access the online surveys using your school or district "secret word" password: panthers
Since 2003, over 30,000 schools have participated in Speak Up. Be part of the Speak Up movement – sign up your school or district today!
Why participate in Speak Up? No other survey research project is like Speak Up!
Speak Up is facilitated annually by Project Tomorrow. This is our nonprofit mission to do this for schools and districts as a 100% free service.
Every school and district (public, private, charter etc) is eligible to participate with no limit on participants. Just need to register to participate!
Have your students, parents and staff take the surveys and you will get you’re your own local data plus the national data for benchmarks.
National data is shared with Congress, US Department of Education and many state governors’ offices. No local data is shared though – we are not in the “gotcha” business.
All data is 100% confidential.
All surveys are online making it quick and easy to administer. Take the 20 minute survey at home, at school, anywhere with an Internet connection.
No need to write your own surveys! All of the benefits with Speak Up with none of the time or costs involved on your part.
This year's audience specific surveys include questions on teaching and learning with technology, and new emerging technology issues such as mobile devices, blended learning, and digital content and learning games. Plus new questions about online assessments and funding for education technology!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Former NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Sir Ken Robinson on the Future of Education
Following is a link to a video in which former NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Sir Ken Robinson discuss the future of education.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
What 21st Century Schools Should Be
Following is a link to a very well written article from ASCD. It encapsulates many of the aspects of 21st century education in addition to indicating what types of "things" should be happening in schools. It is worth a read!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Food for Thought
We have all heard much of this before... Hear it first hand from a kid... Albeit a very, very intelligent kid, but a kid nonetheless. The point of emphasis I take away is "that learning should be a reciprocal relationship..."
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Developing a Vision for Prairie Farm Schools- Follow Up Information
I apologize for the delay in preparing this information, but things on the school finance side of things have kept me pretty busy. This is not a dead issue and I hope to utilize the information collected here to inform many decisions that are made on the district level for many years to come.
I wanted to be certain that all district residents, staff, students, and board members are aware of the results of the District Advisory Committee meetings that have been recently held. The goal of these meetings was to determine a vision for Prairie Farm Schools. At the last meeting, conducted on January 31st, 2011, we discussed the items developed at the December 6th advisory committee meeting, as well as our student’s suggestions regarding what the district should look like 5 to 10 years from now, etc. Below are the items discussed including the District’s input or response to the items discussed in italics.
Topics Discussed on 1/31 (Italics indicate the District’s input/ response for each area):
Academics
- More opportunities for “college prep” and advanced placement (AP) courses
The district is evaluating this area. Currently, we offer AP English via iTV and AP Calculus through Molly Olson. It would be beneficial to offer AP opportunities in science and social studies as well. There are some limitations to this regarding the number of offerings each staff member can provide, however it remains an area we would like to improve upon.
- Increase the amount of iTV offerings (classes available via a network of multiple schools)
The district is limited on the variety of classes and the number of seats we are entitled to for iTV. Each year, the district evaluates the iTV offerings and competes for seats in classes our students want or need. We currently offer about as many iTV classes as possible.
- Increased development of technology skills and experiences
The district is evaluating this area as well. Surveys were recently sent to all district families regarding computer and internet access in homes. That information has been analyzed: of 180 surveys sent, 105 were returned. Of the 105 returned, 90 stated that they had a computer with internet access which represents 86% of district residents. This data as well as the student input we received (discussed below) indicates a strong need for the district to move forward with plans to become more technology integrated. Student surveys also indicated an opinion of better developing our technology based experiences. Students had great ideas regarding the use of “smart” phones and other internet capable devices for instruction purposes.
- More “co-op” opportunities for different classes (real world, on the job sort of experiences for credit)
This is an area that some staff is interested in developing as well. There are some difficulties however, with allotting appropriate time in staff’s schedules and/or allowing for extra-duty pay as there are responsibilities that occur outside of the school day.
- Provide service learning opportunities
These are opportunities that provide students with the type of skills they will utilize in the work force, tech school, or college. Some initial planning needs to take place to develop an outline of what these experiences will look like and what curricular area or areas are best suited to providing these opportunities.
- Allow volunteer hours for credit towards graduation
Similar to the previous item listed. Many schools REQUIRE volunteer hours for graduation; there has not been a lot of discussion on this topic however, it would be fairly easy to implement.
- Development of cross-curricular projects (having multiple classes covering similar topics concurrently that add to overall understanding and rigor)
This is a definite possibility for Prairie Farm given the small class size and the fact that all of the core teachers (language arts, math, science, and social studies) have nearly all of the students in the high school. This is particularly true for 9th through 11th grade. In the middle school, this would be fairly easily implemented with some planning and preparation on the staff’s part.
- Enhancement of our virtual school program (this program is in its infancy for the 10-11 school year and will be expanded and marketed beginning with the 11-12 school year)
The district has slowly rolled out our virtual school programming this year. We will continue to offer this type of educational experience to our residents and will begin some promotional activities to increase interest and enrollment for the future.
Communication
- Increase parent awareness of schedules and class offerings
This area can easily be addressed by providing the schedule on-line through our district web site. Look for information regarding the schedule and class options on our High School web page.
- Increase parent awareness of post-graduation options for students
Similar to the item above; information will be forthcoming on the School Counselor’s web page.
- Increase and enhance home-school communication
The district is looking into multiple possibilities to improve in this area. From surveys that were completed and returned, it was determined that a great majority of residents have internet access and would like updates and information to come via e-mail and the web page. The district will likely develop a “listserve” of individuals who wish to receive information via e-mail and send out updates periodically. We will continue working on this to provide parents and community members with all necessary information in a timely manner.
- Increase attendance at parent-teacher conferences (middle and high school)
This is an area we (and many other middle and high schools) struggle with. I am open to suggestions on how to improve this.
New Program Possibilities
- Develop a day care program operated by the school for children of district residents who are not involved in full day school programs to utilize
This type of program has some great potential and the district is seriously considering making a move in this direction. We want to proceed cautiously because we do not want to infringe on any community member’s livelihood by taking away children that they provide day care for.
- Marketing of our district via radio advertising and potentially other forms
As you probably already know, the district began marketing our schools online and on the radio. We will not know the impact of this until September of the next school year and even then, it may be difficult to determine the specific reason(s) for increased numbers.
- Utilize Business Education class(es) to develop marketing strategies and programs for the school
This too, has some strong possibilities. A limiting factor can be the amount of time available to our business education position. Developing new real-world, authentic curriculum for a program such as this, can be difficult and time consuming. This is something that would mutually benefit the students and the district.
- Early foreign language development for students in elementary grades (sometimes referred to as immersion classes)
This idea has found traction in many school districts in Wisconsin and in the nation. We would be quite limited due to funding issues; things have gotten worse instead of better in this area.
Student Responses
- Incorporate more technology options in classes currently offered
This is an area of focus today and will continue to be in the future. Students want the tools necessary to learn, collaborate, and create content in today’s world.
- Update/ Upgrade technology for students
Again an area we are currently working on and will continue in the future. Particularly, the network for internet access needs to be updated to wireless access with little or no interruption based on location.
- Improve athletic programs/ facilities
Students had strong feelings about improving our athletic programs. Mr. Olson is currently working through developing a mission, vision, and goals for our athletic programs with coaches and student athletes; there are many aspects of program improvement becoming incorporated for next year and beyond.
Developing a vision statement:
In addition to discussing various ideas for program and district improvements, a goal of these meetings was to develop a vision statement that encapsulated a common view of what should be occurring “tomorrow”. I had outlined in previous correspondence that a vision is different from a mission in that a mission defines the activities we are constantly engaged in, while a vision defines what we as an organization would like to be or become. A vision statement should bring to mind this drive or focus on the future and be a guiding statement as decisions are made in the classroom, on the athletic field or court, or in the board room. I have developed a vision statement as one possibility, but I welcome any input and am open to making changes.
Prairie Farm School District Vision Statement: “Focus on the future”- What are we doing for students today that will prepare them for tomorrow?
As always feel free to contact me any time.
Sincerely,
Craig G. Broeren
District Administrator
715-455-1683 ext. 119
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