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District 5 Schools Site A site dedicated to providing the parents, teachers, students, and staff with all of the current information regarding their schools! |
Technology Updates
"Lighting the Fires of Education"
Update: 8/24/09
The 2009 school year began with many classrooms
for both core subjects and electives crowded. Gulf Shores high school
has a full Access Computer Lab in place and students are currently
scheduled for classes including Chinese and other languages. Given the
size of the classes, our Instructional Director is now investigating the
possibilities of offering core subject classes by Access as well.
We are also pleased to announce that both District Elementary Schools
are now fully implemented with Promethean or Similar SmartBoard
technology in all classrooms.
Update: 6/1/09
Beginning August 2009, all Baldwin county
high schools will have access computer labs allowing students to take
online elective courses not currently offered at their particular
school. It is my intention to take this technology a step further to
offer additional AP courses, languages, and technology classes for the
benefit all students and to solve the problem of overcrowded classrooms.
This is a huge step for technology in our schools!
Update: 5/1/09
Gulf Shores Elementary, which now has a
Promethean Board in every classroom, has now secured the "clickers" or
hand held answering devices for every student in the school.
Orange Beach Elementary now has full
Promethean implementation in both the first and second grade classrooms
thanks to our Alabama Gulf Coast Education Foundation!
In addition, Gulf Shores Middle now has two new Promethean Boards thanks
to the Meyer Foundation.
Access Learning will be available to our Gulf Shores High School
students for the start of school in August! This will allow our students
to take courses by computer that are not currently offered at GSHS, but
are offered elsewhere in the county.
Update: 3/2/09
Good News!!
Gulf Shores Elementary School is now
FULLY IMPLEMENTED with Promethean Boards in every classroom!!!!
Thanks to YOU and a tremendous effort from our parent volunteers, the
funds have been raised to install Promethean Boards in EVERY CLASSROOM!
The Sea N Suds fundraiser, the Chik Fil A fundraiser, and the Books a
Million night were all a big success!
The Alabama Gulf Coast Education Foundation has donated the funds to
Orange Beach Elementary to install Promethean Boards in all of its
second grade classrooms AND to purchase a new DVD movie for the Sea,
Sand, and Stars planetarium!
In addition, the AGCEDF has donated funds to Gulf Shores High School for
new sound equipment for the cafeteria and new books for the Library!!!
THANK YOU
AGCEDF!
Update:11/26/08
Promethean Boards
As you all know, times are tough and
funds are hard to come by, but we continue to make our community
presentations and beat the drum for our Promethean technology. Our
most recent presentations were to the Gulf Shores City Council and the
Pleasure Island Rotary Club. Both were very upbeat and interested
in our information. Our Gulf Shores City Council is in transition and is
working on new budgets and cutbacks for the upcoming year. I have kept
in contact with the Rotarians and hopefully, they will keep us in mind
for future disbursements to our schools.
A request was made at the November meeting to the Alabama Gulf Coast
Education Foundation by Mr. Baker at OBES for three Promethean Boards
for the second grade and a new DVD for Sea, Sand, and Stars and by Dr.
Rosado for new sound equipment for the cafeteria, but no official
results of that vote have been received.
Update:11/29/08
GSMS Computer Lab
I am very pleased to announce that our
Computer Lab at GSMS is near completion! Our Baldwin County Technology
Director, Derek Roh jumped right on this one for us. County funds
covered all aspects of the lab including remodeling of the current
classroom, wiring for the computers, and the computers, themselves.
They've done a great job in a short amount of time! I visited the
school to take a look and will post pics here. 30 computers for all of
our classes to take advantage of! This is
a great example of cooperation between our principals and our county
directors with a great result!
Thank you to everyone who helped us make this happen!
Update:10/19/08
In addition to acquiring Promethean technology, it
is evident that some schools have immediate technology needs that are quite
pressing. One example is the need for a computer lab at GSMS.
(Please see individual schools' wish list on the home page of this site for a
complete list.)
In speaking to Mr. Fountain, our teachers, and staff, it has come to my attention that the addition of a computer lab at GSMS is a top priority. After meeting with Mr. Fountain on this issue, I have spoken to Mr. Roh and Mr. Tyler, our County Technology director and our Superintendent over Construction, and have made them aware of this concern. It is my understanding that the county has the ability to supply the computers needed for the lab, however, additional wiring for the classroom is needed to accommodate the hardware, which may not be covered by county funds. The approximate cost for the electrical and internet wiring is $5,000- $10,000.
The lab would be available for use by ALL GSMS students and
teachers and will provide opportunities for learning, research, and basic skills
that are currently not available, or are available on a limited basis. In
addition, the lab will certainly benefit and impact students for many years to
come.
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, Mr. Fountain will make a request with my full
support to the Alabama Gulf Coast Education Foundation for funds to complete the
lab. Mr. Fountain and I will work together to insure the completion of the lab
in a timely fashion.
Promethean interest and support continues to grow. I
currently have presentations set with the Gulf Shores City Council on October
20, and am working on tentative presentation dates with the Rotarians and Orange
Beach City Council. At the October 20 AGCEF meeting, Mr. Baker will request
funds for three Promethean Boards which will fully implement his second grade
level and begin the technology upgrades at OBES. Mr. Baker will request
additional technology dollars at the request of his Sea, Sand, and Stars
director for a DVD movie in order to enhance the Planetarium experience for our
students.
Update: 10/1/08
Thank you for giving me a few moments of your time for what I think could be one of the most important presentations in the education of your child.
In November, I will take office as your new Dist. 5 Rep on Bald Co. School Board,
But for those of you who know me, I just can’t wait that long.
Our District can’t wait.
Our teachers can’t wait.
Our kids can’t wait.
The time is now.
In Greek Mythology, the story is told of a Titan named Prometheus who dared to defy the Gods in order to preserve and enrich mankind.
Zeus cared little about the mortals, but Prometheus had other ideas. Against Zeus’ wishes, Prometheus brought fire to the mortals. The gift of fire changed everything. It unleashed a flood of creativity and productivity not known to man----a fire that would light forever the flame of learning.
What you are about to see is not the classroom of the future, it’s the classroom of today.
The Promethean Board and Smart Board is the 21st
century classroom, where chalkboards and erasers are
things of the past.
UK- 75% of the classrooms already have this technology. In place since 2002.
US- Only 8% of our classrooms have it.
But it’s catching on quick!
If you have a moment, go to You Tube and Search Promethean Boards.
(Your kids can show you how. You can also click here.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXv8h9-WfyA
See the fires of education also catching on in Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, Mississippi, New Orleans, El Paso, Raleigh. The list goes on and on.
This is how the students of this generation and the next will
learn whether we’re one of the 1st to have it or the last.
In Chester County, PA, Promethean integrated schools saw a 38% increase in test scores.
Oak Grove Mississippi- increase in test scores in just one year.
Columbia KY- scores rose to 17% above national average
UK- studies from 2002-2006--
English scores increased 37%
Math scores increased 10%
Science scores increased 33%
Geography - increased 18%
Our kids get their information today through technology- video
games, computers, Internet, Ipods, Smart phones.
Our children are way ahead of us in
the learning curve!
Is it a wonder that we are losing their interest in the classroom?
How we teach is as important as what we teach.
We’ve got to meet our learners on THEIR level.
It is my goal that EVERY ONE of YOUR CHILDREN have an interactive board in their classroom.
It is my goal that EVERY ONE of our Gulf Shores/Orange Beach classrooms have one of these boards.
GSES started this frenzy in our area. Mr. Griffin and Dr. Stover had the foresight to work towards full implementation in their school. Through hard work, fundraisers, and grants, they have managed to install 41 promethean boards at GSES. They lack only 5 boards from being fully implemented.
What happens to those 6th grade students who
graduate to our GSMS? They are immediately thrown backwards in the world of
technology.
Our high school, which is the institution that readies our children for college and the outside world has NO PROMETHEAN technology. Although Dr. Rosado has worked diligently, spending upwards of $12,000 to improve technology standards in our high school, he is going to need our help.
We talked a lot during the campaign about Community---about
schools, parents, students, city leaders, and community leaders coming together.
Well, here’s our first chance to show ‘em what we can do.
Because we already have projectors in place in most classrooms, it will cost roughly $2000 per classroom for a basic Promethean package, which includes the board, the software, and the pens.
This will be a district-wide project, involving all four schools, and the project will continue until every last classroom has this technology.
We can be the Shining Star of the County!
The Flagship District where schools
from across the country come to see what
we’re doing. 
As my first order of business as your Representative, I am fully dedicated to this cause. I will ask for funding anywhere I can find it.
We have already done demonstrations for
The GSMS Open House
Alabama Gulf Coast Education Foundation has already helped us install Promethean Boards in all OBES 2nd grade classrooms.
The Gulf Shores and OB city councils
The Gulf Shores Kiwanis Club
I will also speak to the local Rotary, and Lions Clubs.
In addition, like GSES, we will write grants and work with the PTSO’s fundraising efforts.
I will also work diligently for our cause at the county level in order to
take advantage of any available funds or help we can get there.
It must be a community effort.
Perhaps your business or family would like to sponsor a classroom? We’ll put a dedication plaque next to the board in that classroom with your business name or family name where it displays your dedication to education in our schools.
No matter what you can do--no matter how big or how small--we
need your help.
You can even choose which school you want your donation to go
to.
This “Light the Fires of Learning Campaign” is important to
our district, our schools, and our children.
Please
take a moment to view the video above. Help us “Light the Fires”. Help us spread the word.
If you can help in any way, contact me anytime.
You can e-mail me at
SwigerRep@yahoo.com. You can call me at home at 948-8110.Please visit this website at
www.District5Schools.net for constant updates on how we‘re doing with the campaign.Thank you again for your constant support and thank you for all you do for
our children!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update: 9/17/08
I know that many of you saw the article in a recent newspaper
about the access learning centers in some of our other Baldwin County Schools.
As can be expected, I even got a few phone calls and e-mails regarding the same.
First of all,
THANK YOU
for being interested in the quality of our children's education. I always
appreciate your suggestions, thoughts, and opinions.
It keeps me on my toes!
Second,
Access learning will be a requirement in all schools by 2010. The schools
mentioned in the article already have their programs in place. Gulf Shores
High School WILL have the program in place by the start of the 2009-2010 school
year.
Current District 5 News
Contact Angie:
SwigerRep@yahoo.com