Some of you may be aware of the high number of State initiatives currently in the works at the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). State Superintendent Tony Evers has unveiled his "agenda 2017" which contains initiatives that focus on nearly every aspect of public education: graduation rates, college and career readiness, next generation assessments, common core standards, educator effectiveness, school and district accountability, and school funding. In short, the most comprehensive changes to public education in recent history.
Although many aspects of these comprehensive reforms are going to transpire over the next few years, it should be noted that the district is (and has been) putting in place all of the necessary components to make these initiatives successful for the benefit of our students. Clearly, one can agree or disagree with any or all of these State led initiatives, but the current environment is calling for public school reform. Rather than viewing these as things that have to be done, we are viewing them as things that should be done; this is not to say that our district is in 100% agreement with 100% of agenda 2017, but I do feel that we have the flexibility to institute these changes tailored specifically to our district to better meet the needs of our students.
For information regarding Agenda 2017, please visit:
http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/sprntdnt/index.html
Or feel free to contact me directly:
Craig Broeren
715-455-1683 ext. 119
broeren@prairiefarm.k12.wi.us
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Exciting News and an Apology!
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
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
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..."
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