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There are a lot of projects coming up this summer. This is probably one of the busiest times of the year in Technology as there are a lot of things that we cannot do until everyone is gone for the summer. ;) With that said, here are a few of the projects in the works...
Burning CD’s: Please do not forget to store your data by burning a CD. We will be upgrading all of the stations over the summer. They will be clean systems ready to be used for the new school year and anything left on them will need to be erased. This is a necessary step to prepare for the changes in personnel at our campuses, and to provide a pristine system for operation next year. There are people at your campus that can help you with this task if you have not already done so.
Moving T1 Lines (Internet Connection): This summer, we will be relocating our T1 lines beginning next week. We are scheduled for next Thursday, June 2nd. There may be brief moments of lost connectivity to the internet (outside of our network). Our internal network services and connectivity should not be effected. However, access to our web site and email externally will not connect until the T1’s have been re-established.
New Access Control Doors Added: We will be adding another door to our Access Control System at each campus. This will add another entrance that can be controlled by your access cards for entry before and after school hours. This will also provide another layer of security. Also, we will be turning off access to the campuses 2 weeks after school is out for the summer due to security concerns. Hang on to your access cards as we will be turning access to your campus back on again before your time to report. We will be updating the system with any changes for next year.
Technology for Walnut Grove Middle School: The new computers should begin arriving as early as next week! We will be setting them up with their new software image. These new computers will all have CD and DVD burners on them and be fully capable of video editing. WGMS will also be receiving 3 Rolling Wireless Computer Labs with 30 laptops in each cart. Wireless Access Points will be placed around each classroom for wireless access. Projectors and speakers will be mounted in the ceiling in every classroom creating a presentation environment for instruction. Video surveillance cameras will be present all around the school for security as well as Access Control doors like the other campuses.
Technology MHS: During the course of the renovation that is taking place at MHS, technology will be added as the different phases are completed. Ultimately, MHS will have projectors and speakers in each classroom creating instructional presentation facilities. Security cameras and access control doors will be added as well. In fact, MHS is following some of the same specifications that are presently being implemented at our brand new facility Walnut Grove Middle School. Basically, MHS will stand as a brand new facility after completion of the renovations. New in technology this year is the advent of a Digital Yearbook. This 7 DVD production was produced entirely by our MHS students who have done a outstanding job this putting it all together. It is a product to be proud of for years to come. The going price currently is $40 per set. There is something for everyone as they filmed almost every activity at least once. Teacher Dodie Wiggins has made possible a new venue
demonstrating the talent of our MHS students. Please contact Dodie Wiggins if you would like to place an order.
Technology for Frank Seale Middle School: Technology projects for Walnut Grove and MHS are being funded primarily from the previous bond election. Over time, the educational needs of students require some upgrades, repairs, renovations, and new technology in the schools. Frank Seale currently has 3 computer labs, 3 wireless rolling computer labs with carts full of wireless laptops, 12 COW’s (Computer on Wheels: wireless multimedia computer with a 34 inch flat screen monitor), several projectors, wireless access points throughout the building, color laser printers, and video editing capable computers. They are able to produce their own digital yearbook, Cub News (closed circuit video broadcast of the morning announcements created by students) and much more. We will be adding these programs to Walnut
Grove next year. Frank Seale Middle School has been a leader in technology for several years.
Summer Technology Training: Here is a link to sign up!
http://207.235.143.123/summer_training.htm or just click on the Staff link from our home page.
New computers for Vitovsky Elementary: In order to follow the same technology configurations of the other 4 elementary schools, we will be separating the existing lab computers and current teacher stations into the classrooms. Each of these stations will be receiving a new software image in order to clean them up and have them ready to go for the upcoming school year. The teachers and the computer lab will get brand new computers with video editing capabilities.
WAN Upgrade: We are bumping up our bandwidth this summer by doubling our current internet bandwidth. Our Wide Area Network will also be receiving an update adding more bandwidth between the campuses.
New Operating System for Teacher Stations: During the process of cleaning up all of the computers this summer, we will be upgrading the operating system. Those who have become used to OSX will find the new operating system even easier to use with more features. One of my favorites is the ability to pull dictionary terms from any word displayed in your browser instantaneously. You can just hover over the word with your mouse pointer and the definition pops up.
New Phone System for MHS: The project was placed on hold because of the upcoming renovation and changes in connectivity. Now it is imperative that we deploy the new phone system in order to begin the combination of the two campuses. Every classroom will be receiving a new phone which will address certain security needs. These phones will have the ability to be moved and your extension will move with you. Under the circumstances of new construction, this is going to be a handy feature. As we are more aware of room assignments, we will begin the installation of your new phone system.
IP Phone system for Walnut Grove: WGMS will be receiving a new IP based phone system that will have the ability to dial directly across our network to another campus without using traditional phone lines. This frees up telephone lines for other uses and will ultimately lesson our dependence and costs with SBC. There will be telephones in every classroom that allow teachers to call parents and adds another measure of security for the campus.
New Phone System for Irvin: Irvin is also getting a new IP based phone system. There will be telephones in every classroom. They will also be able to call directly WGMS, MHS, Jenkins, Baxter, and Mills who all have IP Phone systems. As a District, we will all be moving to this type of phone system in the future.
New Still Frame Digital Cameras for the Campuses: We will be purchasing new digital cameras for each campus that have a greater resolution and more memory for better quantity and quality photos.
Security Camera System: We are in the process of establishing a security camera system. We are beginning with our new campus Walnut Grove Middle School. We are starting off with 16 cameras located in and around the building. MHS will also have cameras installed once the internal renovation of the facilities is complete. MHS will be getting 32 cameras due to the size of the completed facility. As funds become available, we will be adding other campuses.
Library System: The librarians have been working extra hard this year in preparation for our new library system. This digital card catalog will be accessible from every classroom. Meadows Public Library will be accessible any where you can find and internet connection. Book covers will even be displayed along with clickable links to view more information about your subject or title. When you see a Midlothian librarian, please give them a pat on the back as they also undertook the monumental task of re-bar-coding every library book in the District.
NetTrekker: Remember, you have access to NetTrekker even during the summer. If you have time and an Internet Connection, please take some time to familiarize yourself with the useful search tool. http://www.nettrekker.com
We appreciate all that you do for the students of MISD. I cannot think of a better place for our children to go to school. You are all an outstanding group of educators that is evidenced in the successes of our children in all aspects inside and outside of the classroom. Thank you for another successful school year and have a safe and restful summer.
Kirk Paschall
Director of Technology
Midlothian I. S. D.
100 Walter Stephenson Rd.
Midlothian, TX 76065
voice 972.775.8296
fax 972.775.2126
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