St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School
Jerseyville, Illinois

Submitted August 2003

August 2003 – May 2006

Saint Francis/Holy Ghost School would like to acknowledge that our school’s Technology Plan is the work of many people. The commitment to technology spans our community of faculty, parents, alumni, and began with the consolidation of our two schools in the early 1990’s. This plan reflects the input and dedication of many members of the school, parish and civic communities in the Jersey County area who together want the best educational experience for our students as we prepare them with the skills necessary for effective members of Church and society in the technological age of the 21^st century.

The technology committee was formed in 1998 to discuss technological issues and advise the principal on the technological progress of SF/HG School. The committee includes members that represent the faculty, parents, and alumnus of SF/HG School.

Melissa Vahle Chairperson of Technology Committee, primary grade teacher, parent

Vicky Maag Member at large, intermediate grade teacher

Julie Duggan Member at large, intermediate grade teacher

Chris Griffin Member at large, technology advisor

Keith Norman Member at large, technology advisor, parent

Rose Mersinger is a visionary leader who believes in the importance of technology in education and continually encourages and challenges the principals and faculties of the diocesan schools.

Father William Hembrow Holy Ghost Parish

Father Donald Patrick Gibbons Saint Francis Parish

Mrs. Janet Goben is an integral component of the development of SF/HG’s technology curriculum. As administrator, it is Mrs. Goben’s responsibility to monitor the implementation of the school’s technology plan.

Pre-K

Kindergarten Susan Ayres, Judy Kirbach

First grade Peggy Perdun, Melissa Vahle

Second grade Marsha Krueger, Tina Pluester

Third grade Tammi Kettenbach, Tonya Shively

Fourth grade Vicky Maag, Kim Reed

Fifth grade Julie Duggan, Bonnie Sievers

Sixth grade Debby Allen, Dawn Dwyer

Seventh grade Barbara Ottis, Beth York

Eight grade Stephen Menke, Jayme Powell

Math/Algebra Chris Mattis

Music Peter Bertino

P.E. Rhonda Bechtold

Aides Joan Gowin, Melissa Kimble, Shelia McGuire, Mary Niemeyer, Rita Robertson

The faculty and staff at SF/HG have gone through major transitions in all areas of technology. We have gained new hardware and the knowledge about how to best use this hardware in our classrooms. They are all dedicated to doing their best to help their students excel in the technological job market of the future.

Ed Maher President, parent

Cathie Ward Vice-President, parent

Theresa Goetten Secretary

Angie Ashlock Member at large, parent

Mary Blotna Member at large, parent

Paul Hardin Member at large, parent

Rick Davis Member at large, parent

Jim Meszaros Member at large, parent

Bill Wellbourne Member at large, parent

SF/HG Board of Education supports the need to develop this plan and they will continue to help provide the means by which this plan can be carried out. The Board is truly dedicated in providing quality education for the students enrolled at SF/HG School.

Cynthia Hampton President, parent

Joann Tolbert Vice-President, parent

Chris Klunk Secretary, parent

Theresa Molloy Treasurer, parent

Since SF/HG School receives minimal federal and state aid for technology, the goal of the C.B.C., through fundraisers, is to provide resources in that area.

Anita Driver Jerseyville Public Library, alumnus

Keith Norman Technological Coordinator, Jersey Comm. School District #100

Diana Ford Cowan Adult Literacy Provider, Jersey Comm. School District #100

Larry Pfeiffer Regional Superintendent, District #40

Kevin Hamilton Grafton Technologies, parent

Keith Norman Illinois Century Network

AmerenCips

Lawerence Sievers Sievers Electronics

Stakeholders have been involved by creating, advising, editing, writing, and/or implementing the current technology plan. They meet annually to evaluate and refine the plan. The plan is provided to those unable to attend via hard copy or online at www.SFHG.org

Contributions made to SF/HG School in memory of a loved one can be designated to the technology fund. The technology committee will also use other resources from our community and other surrounding communities including neighboring colleges and universities.

St. Francis/Holy Ghost School is located within Jersey Community School District # 100 which covers 332 square miles and encompasses the entirety of Jersey County and part of Greene County. Our 423 students represent 266 families. These families represent many parishes throughout the area, both Catholic and Non Catholic. More than 2/3 of our students depend on bussing which is the second longest bus route in the state. Jersey County and its surrounding communities are "bedroom communities" of the St. Louis area. It is made up of mostly German and Irish descendants who originally made their living as farmers. As progress persists, Jerseyville continues to boom with several new subdivisions growing and new families choosing it as an area to settle. Our future students may choose from jobs that range from a Wal-Mart associate to farmer and small business owner. The prospects in this area have become limitless.

In the fall of 1990, St. Francis School with an enrollment of 118 students consolidated with Holy Ghost School whose enrollment was approximately 220. Since the two schools were located five blocks apart, St. Francis building became the site for kindergarten and grades five through eight; grades one through four were designated for the Holy Ghost site.

During February 1991, SF/HG School applied for State recognition, fulfilled the written requirements and was visited by the State Recognition Team. In the spring of 1991, SF/HG School was issued an official State Recognition certificate; each year that certificate has been renewed.

Our mission is to graduate students who:

*Display a Christ-like character,

*Think critically and independently,

*Solve problems and make decisions responsibly,

*Communicate the written and spoken language effectively,

*Possess the skills necessary for becoming constructive members of church and society,

*Make the home/community/world a better and safer place because of their presence.

Enrollment for the 2002-2003 school year consisted of 399 students, 194 in grades K – 3 are located at the Holy Ghost site and 205 in grade 4 -8 at the St. Francis site. Preceding and during the 2003-04 school year our school will be physically expanded to include a new computer lab and 4 new classrooms, one of which will house a pre-kindergarten program. Enrollment for PreK-8 will increase for the 2003-2004 school year to 443.

Our faculty consists of 19 full time teachers, teaching in the grades from pre K – 8, 6 aides, 3 part time teachers that represent the areas of Music, Physical Education, and Algebra. The educational background of our faculty ranges from those holding a Bachelors degree to those with a Masters degree and beyond. Our student/ teacher ratio averages at 19:1 with our largest class having 31 students and our smallest class having 17 students.

The students’ rural background and the 35% poverty level in the county limit the access they have to the latest technology. Even though our parent’s known income level is only 5% impoverished,(Source: Free/reduced lunch application, see Supporting Documents #1) it is only through the use of technology in the school that some of these children will have the opportunity and the resources to be exposed to technology similar to those who live in the more affluent urban areas. Because of these limitations, we are committed to a technology plan that will serve as an effective tool to improve the educational opportunities of our students.

SF/HG School’s Technology Plan will focus on five priorities:

We are committed to continually upgrading our equipment to keep our students ready for the job market of the future. There is a proposed line item in our school budget which will allow us to purchase 15 computers annually. This will enable us to stay instep with current trends in the technological field. The faculty will evaluate software for future purchases.

Through opportunities to attend in house and off site workshops, our staff is constantly trying to find ways to weave technology into coursework as opposed to it being an extra review/remediation tool. Research of textbooks will enable the faculty to better integrate technology into their curriculum.

We are continuing with a plan to help our faculty and staff gain better access to professional development opportunities. These include in house collaboration, workshops offered through the diocese, Jersey Community District #100 and the Regional Office of Education.

SF/HG has revised their plan to provide open houses for parents. Technology has been integrated into other events such as our annual Family Reading Night. This event gives parents and students the opportunity to work together in our computer labs doing various activities. A Technology open house may be done yearly to showcase any new and exciting changes to the program.

Implementing all of the above policies will help to bring quality technological experiences for our student body. These quality experiences will help propel our school through the 21^st century and our students into the job market of the future.

Our technology committee comprised of parents, faculty and technological experts, meets several times a year to discuss the technological issues of SF/HG. They review the policies, practices and improvements needed in our school. They then advise the principal. The stakeholders are briefed as to what has been discussed in an annual meeting.

SF/HG School and its stakeholders encourage students to display a Christ-like character. Through the technology program students are allowed to use critical thinking and independent problem solving while integrating the written and spoken language. SF/HG will be the center for our community of life-long learners. In it will be found the treasures of 21^st century technology. Through this technology and our faith based education, we hope our students possess the skills necessary for becoming constructive members of church and society.

My day begins as my computer’s auto alarm clock goes off. The best thing about this clock is that it will set itself. I get up as I tell my robot to make my bed and get my homework together. I go to my closet and a video screen will slide out of the wall. My clothes come up on the screen, then I press a button, and the robot goes and gets the clothes for me.

As the robot is doing that, I get in the shower that has water which stays at 85 degrees throughout the whole shower. After that, the robot has laid the clean and pressed clothes folded nicely on my bed. I walk out in the hall and go down the escalator to the kitchen. The kitchen has state of the art technology.

I first ask the computer to make me scrambled eggs with bacon. As it is doing that the nanny robot gives me my lunch and book bag. I eat my breakfast and put the empty plate on the conveyer belt that leads back in to the pantry and the automatic sink washes the dishes. Right before I walk out the door the computer reminds me of my daily schedule.

I walk outside and press the button on the door that summons the capsule that takes me to school. When I get to school, I sit at my desk and log in on my own personal computer. I pull up all my homework from yesterday and print it out. The day goes on and at lunch we have freeze dried food so the leftovers last for months.

At the end of the day the capsule takes me home and I get my homework done (with help from my own homework robot), and then I go to bed with my bed that has heated blankets and air chambers so you can set the bed to how soft or hard you want. This is what I think the daily schedule will be in the future.

SF/HG School is allocated both federal and state funds that are administered by Jersey Community Unit School District #100 through requisitions to the district. These state and federal funds come in the form of Chapter II, Title II – Math/Science, Title IV, Title VI – Drug Free, and Illinois Textbook Loan Program. Our approximate 2003 – 2004 allocations are as follows:

Title I – (K thru 3) $2,500.00

Title II – Teacher Quality $2,200.00

Title IV – Drug Free (services) $500.00

Title IV – Drug Free (supplies) $2,000.00

Title V – Innovative Programs (services) $800.00

Title V – Innovative Programs (supplies) $1,600.00

Illinois Textbook Loan Program $6,800.00

E-rate $1,000.00

CitiStreet Group Foundation $1,200.00

Funds for the 2003 – 2004 school year are targeted to help teachers assist students in meeting and exceeding the state learning standards. In the future these funds may be used for purchases such as hardware, software and technology related salaries.

In addition to instructional technology, we use state and local funds for professional development and work with Jersey Community Unit School District #100 and Regional Office for Education #40 for additional training. Hands-on technology training is offered throughout the summer in various methods to help our staff understand how to engage our students in their own education by infusing instructional technology into their daily activities.

State and federal funding make up only a small portion of our technology budget; significant local money is spent each year to assist the staff in teaching a curriculum that targets state learning standards. This curriculum is constantly changing, based on standardized testing.

Technology offers educators a way to individualize curriculum and customize it to the needs of individual students so all children can achieve their potential. Gaining technological proficiency helps students learn more effectively, and it also improves their desire to learn. That confidence often translates into better performance in the classroom.

Outcomes have been written and revised in each subject by SF/HG faculty in accordance with our QSP plan which helps us to stay in step or even exceed the state’s learning standards.

Our community has talented professionals and educational resources that are not utilized after the work/school day. We will work with students, teachers, parents, and community members to identify the educational needs of our community to provide the learning opportunities and to identify the resources that are available. The results, we hope, will be to develop and maintain a community of life-long learners.

Goal 1:

Our educational technology will focus on projects that will challenge students to become critical thinkers, analysts, and information seekers. Our students will become effective communicators by using a variety of technologies/media so that they will be able to create, produce, and present ideas in both written and oral communication. Our teachers will view themselves as facilitators, rather than providers of knowledge, and will be able to guide our students to achieve their educational goals.

In the age of technology, it is our responsibility as teachers, to switch our role from knowledge provider to facilitator, guide and learner.

In order for our students to be prepared for further education, it is imperative to have updated technology in our facility. We will continue to update and maintain the equipment in our school. We will recycle usable computers to the classrooms. Outdated computers will be given to needy students or community members. A technical support person has been added to our staff. He provides after school maintenance as needed. See supporting documents, Section 11, for inventory of hardware and software.

SF/HG has an acceptable use policy for the use of technology. This form, which all staff, students and parents will sign, will be kept on file for that person’s "career" at SF/HG. (See Supporting Document # 5) The pastors and school board adopted and approved this policy in the school year 2000-2001. The technology committee will maintain files for each individual. The principal will enforce the policies.

Through the use of software and provider filtering, students should be unable to access inappropriate materials. If they are found with these materials, appropriate actions will be taken.

Throughout the duration of this plan, our acceptable use policy will be reviewed and revised yearly. Any revisions will be presented to the Board and Pastors for approval.

A non-profit foundation has been developed with the cooperation of the school and the community. Its goal is to acquire the necessary funding/resources to provide technology for our students.

Local media: Jersey County Star, Alton Telegraph and WJBM radio station will be kept informed of St. Francis/Holy Ghost’s progress in the utilization of technology.

Our parents, Board members and parish community will be informed through our school’s weekly bulletin.

Electronic mail will be made available to all members of the faculty to provide Internet/intranet communication. They will be able to access their mail through www.sfhg.org

A school Internet home page has been made available to provide school information to students, their families and the community. Once again reference, www.sfhg.org.

A quarterly newsletter has been developed to keep our alumna and parishioners aware of what is happening in our school, including the technology updates.

As stated in section 7A we would also like to provide the community with an open lab time where they would not only see what we have to offer but be able to utilize it at the same time.

Other future ideas include business partnerships with the Jerseyville businesses to increase funding, improve communication and boost good publicity about our school.