Technology Happenings This Year 

This school year is going to be an exciting and thrilling year in technology at ICS. We have lots of things going on that will improve communication, research and learning for all members of the community. The projects will keep us busy, but we are ready for the challenge!

Here are some of the main projects that we are working on this year:
New wireless network (Eaglenet) has been established. We are expanding the breadth of coverage across the campus and strengthening the signal. We've also improved security and monitoring capabilities.

New communication system (Zimbra) has been implemented. This will allow teachers and ICS staff to communicate more effectively, share documents and calendars, and keep better informed generally. We will also be able to create student accounts so that students (and parents) can have access to calendars, shared documents, email, etc.

The ICS 1:1 Laptop Program will begin to be implemented, with students in grades 6 and 10 being assigned a portable netbook computer to use in school and at home. With this program, students will be able to communicate, collaborate, research, create work, etc., using modern technology. Teachers are planning to ensure that these tools are used creatively and effectively. We'll be expanding the program over the next three years to eventually include all students in grades 6-12.

New equipment has been purchased for classrooms and will be deployed as the containers arrive in school. We will be using more interactive whiteboards, data projectors, document cameras, digital video cameras and digital still cameras, and other equipment.

We are negotiating with ETC for both a high-speed fiber cable and a backup connection to allow us to connect to the internet with much greater speed and reliability. We hope to have this implemented early in this school year.

Responsible Use Agreement for Students
All ICS students have received Responsible Use Agreements to enable them to use the ICS network and access the internet through our network. We ask all parents to read the agreement form, discuss responsible use of the internet and electronic communication with your children, and sign the form for your children. We stress the ICS Way in the use of technology, and expect students to take care of themselves, others, and this place (including ICS, our network and the wider realm of the internet). I will share ideas and resources with parents for helping you manage and guide your children at home in their use of the internet and other electronic forms of communication, both here in the newsletter and on the school website.

Parent Use of the ICS Internet Connection
We have kept an open policy for parents and students using the school wireless network and internet connection, and we hope to continue this. To help us keep this continuing, we ask all parents and students to cooperate in registering their laptops and other devices with the IT department, follow the ICS Way in their use of technology, and respect the primary purpose of our school: the education of students. We ask parents to defer to students in using school computers (i.e., the computers in the library), and also to refrain from downloading large files (videos, applications, music, and other large files) over the internet during the school day. Large downloads will slow down our network and limit the ability of students and teachers from doing school work. Betty Taye is available to set up your laptop connection, in her office behind the reception desk, from 7:30– 9:00 AM and from 2:30–4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.