Fall 2007

*Technology Team: The Technology Team meets monthly to discuss technology issues and problems and to complete Component 1 of the School Improvement Plan. Members of the team are Mrs. Angelelia Johnson, technology & Title I teacher, Mrs. Janice Justis, first grade & Technology Coach, Mrs. Jennifer Gunter, fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Sherry Ripley, second grade teacher, and Ms. Becky Bowers, Kindergarten teacher.

Technology Coach: Mrs. Janice Justis, first grade teacher, is the new Technology Coach.  She will be working with teachers individually this year and in after school training sessions for all faculty and staff who wish to learn new skills.  Mrs. Justis will have four technology sessions throughout the year on MS Word 2007, MS Outlook 2007, Smart Board Basics, and Quizdom.

*Type to Learn 3: Our computer lab received an updated version of the typing program implemented in grades 3-5.  Students use the program at least one time per week to learn and improve typing skills. 

*Technology Assistance:  Mr. Gary Spears, retired Technology Coordinator for Greene County Schools, visits our school weekly to assist teachers with webpages, creating clip art and online forms, technology repairs, software installations, etc.  We greatly appreciate his time and help.

*East TN State University's PASTA program, directed by Mr. David Robinson, donated 10 Dell computers with Windows 2000 operating systems and 10 Dell monitors.  These were placed in several classrooms for students to access Accelerated Reader, the Internet, and programs on our server.

*Renaissance Place: The web based software is being implemented throughout the school. Students use it in the library to take Accelerated Reader tests.  The software is used in the computer lab to access  students reading level and skills throughout the year.  Students in grades PreK-2 take the Star Early Literacy test and grades 3-5 take the Star Reading test.  Students took their first test in October and are scheduled for the second one in January.

*4Sight Testing: This testing program is part of the school system's CDDRE program.  Students take both reading and math tests in a form similar to the Terra Nova.  The tests are then scanned on site using our newest laser/printer/scanner.  The scores are uploaded to a web based program that enables teachers and administrators to monitor and access student progress.  So far students have have taken two reading and two math tests during the first semester.

*Science Lab: The wireless laptops were updated in August and repairs made as needed.  Students in all grades have been utilizing the lab this year.

*Computer Lab:  Mrs. Sandy Whitaker retired at the end of last school year.  Mrs. Angelelia Johnson, a former Title I and technology teacher from Camp Creek Elementary took her place.  All students in grades 1-5 have computer classes daily with Mrs. Johnson or their classroom teacher.  All first graders work on the My Reading Coach program daily.  Students in grades 4-5 are learning to use MS Word and MS Powerpoint this year. Grade 4 students are using MS Word to write Pen Pal letters to Greene Valley Developmental Center clients. Grades 3-5 are using the Internet for webquests, scavenger hunts, research, remediation, drill and practice of correlated SPI's, and fun activities. 

*MS OFFICE Suites 2007:  Every faculty and staff member now has MS Office installed on their computer.  Teachers are utilizing MS Outlook for email this year. 

*This fall all teachers began using a new grading program that is part of the SSMS program.  This Statewide Student Management System is a web based system supported by the state.  It contains student information and can be used as a grading program.  We are using it to print report cards this year. 

*We are in the process of implementing Accelerated Reader.  This program will help us accelerate growth in our students' reading ability, foster a love of reading in all students, daily monitor reading progress and improve test scores. 

*The teachers at our school use United Streaming to introduce new skills, review state standards and provide  students with a new perspective on learning.  Students are able to experience new concepts first hand through educational videos that cover all subjects and grade levels.

*Mrs. Jennifer Gunter is our new technology coach.  She will be training teachers to use new software programs. 

*Class computers are being utilized for daily practice and review.  Grades 1-5 have scheduled computer lab times.  Mrs. Sandy Whitaker provides instruction in our computer lab. She makes assignments based on the SPIs for each grade level.  Students work in Cornerstone, Advanced Learning, and Orchard.  They also use the internet. 

*Grades 3-5 use Alpha Smarts in their process writing lessons. 

*Gifted students in grades 4 and 5 are doing research for more in-depth study.  Gifted students also do webquests and web pages with Poster Page. 

*First grade uses My Reading Coach on a daily basis to improve reading skills. 

*3rd-5th grade students have taken ThinkLink tests to prepare for the TCAP test. 

*Students in grades 1-5 have participated in and after school Homework Club. 

*Teacher use classroom computers as a station during group time.