Monday, March 16, 2015

Dear Forest Hills High School Families and Families of Incoming Freshmen:

The Forest Hills Public School district is excited to launch a new high-­school initiative next school year. This new initiative is called “eAchieve,” and is based on the premise of digital learning and the educational opportunities it affords for our students, teachers, and all learners. With eAchieve, beginning on the first day of the 2015­-2016 school year, our three high schools—Central, Eastern, and Northern—will encourage all students to bring their own digital device to school for instructional purposes. While iPhones, Smartphones, and tablets are considered digital devices, the recommended device would be equipped with a larger screen, a keyboard, and Internet capabilities. If you are unable to procure a device for your child, they will be provided with one when required by the teacher.

As we continue to supplement traditional hardcover textbooks with digital resources, some courses may only incorporate a device occasionally, while others will utilize digital resources daily. From the first day of school, our teachers will collaborate with students about how to best integrate technology and electronic devices in their learning. Digital literacy and digital citizenship will also be addressed.

Using technology in the classroom and optimizing digital educational resources isn’t something new. In fact, the implementation of eAchieve in all of our high schools is the result of a year -and­-a­-half­-long pilot program involving students in middle and high school classrooms throughout our district. As a result of this pilot program, and our additional research and testing, we believe eAchieve will help position our students for success in an increasingly digital, global world.

One of the many strengths of our district is our recognition of individual student learning needs. One size does not fit all. This is especially true when it comes to using technology in an educational environment. During last year’s eAchieve pilot program, it became apparent that having access to individual digital devices allowed both students and teachers an amazing degree of flexibility, permitting them to leverage their interests and learning styles with global resources.

Preparing our students for a digital, global world does come at a cost. We are grateful for the community’s support of the November 2013 bond election. Bond proceeds have already been allocated to significantly enhance the overall technology infrastructure throughout the Forest Hills Public School district, thus preparing the district’s network to support eAchieve, and other key technology programs.

We look forward to discussing the eAchieve program further with you. We will be scheduling community forums in the near future, and a Frequently Asked Questions document will be posted to the website at a later date. In the meantime, we welcome your questions via the telephone numbers and emails listed below.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we plan for next school year. We’re excited about what’s in store for our students and staff, and anticipate new educational opportunities for learning, development, and growth through the eAchieve program.

Sincerely,

Steve Passinault, Principal – spassinault@fhps.net – 616.493.­8700

Steve Harvey, Principal – sharvey@fhps.net – 616.493.­8830

Jon Gregory, Principal – jgregory@fhps.net – 616.493.­8600

Message from the Principals PDF (Monday, May 16, 2015)

eAchieve: Frequently Asked Questions

What is eAchieve?

Forest Hills Public Schools eAchieve is a program that allows and encourages high school students to use their personal electronic devices at school. It’s designed to enhance the educational experience by empowering students to create, communicate and collaborate to reach their individual potential. All three Forest Hills high schools will launch eAchieve in the Fall of 2015.

What kind of electronic device should students bring?

Eligible devices must have wireless networking capabilities to be able to connect to the Internet while at school.  More details, including a device specification sheet will be provided in May.

Does my student HAVE to bring a device to school?

No. Forest Hills Public Schools encourages high school students to participate in eAchieve, but participation is not required. Like bringing your own graphing calculator or band instrument, bringing your own electronic device is optional. Devices will not be used during all lessons, and when devices are needed, teachers can supplement with district-owned devices for that class period. Teachers can also give alternate assignments.

What about theft, accidental damage or loss?

Students break or lose items during the school year. And as with other items voluntarily brought from home (such as cell phones, iPods, etc.), your child is responsible for his/her device while at school.

We already have computer labs in the school. Why does each student need an electronic device?

It’s about accommodating the desires of teachers, students and parents (as demonstrated during the FHPS pilot program) to allow for voluntary use of personal electronic devices to enhance the educational experience. Computer lab time must be scheduled, while having instant Internet access increases classroom flexibility and learning opportunities. Existing computer labs will continue to be used for special programs requiring access, including computer-aided design, yearbook and broadcast media.

How often will devices be used?

Frequency of use will depend on the level of voluntary participation in the eAchieve program and the particular lesson. Instructors will strike a balance between traditional and technology-based learning. Technology can enhance education, but can never replace excellent teaching.

Can students use their device’s usual service provider (3G/4G) at school? 

No. Students must disable their data services (3G/4G) while at school. The Forest Hills Public Schools’ wireless network is the only network students may use while on campus.

Won’t students get distracted by online social networks, games and videos during class?

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Forest Hills Public Schools’ network blocks particular inappropriate categories of content.  Students’ Internet access will be filtered with exactly the same restrictions as when they are using district-owned computers.  Social networking, gambling, and adult content are among the types of categories that are blocked.

What if I have more questions?

If you have additional questions about eAchieve, we encourage you to call your student’s  school office and ask to speak to the eAchieve coordinator.

Recommended Devices

eAchieve encourages high school students to bring their own electronic device to be used for educational purposes.  With eAchieve, families do not have to rush out and purchase devices, but if families are purchasing a device in the near future, the following information may come in handy.  Additionally, the district is looking at identifying possible options with a technology vendor which may offer families and students purchasing discounts.

Meanwhile, if you are wondering about a device, anyone can be easily confused as they attempt to sort through the long list of devices and navigate through the mountain of choices like the Chromebook, Microsoft Surface, Android tablets, laptops, and e-book readers.

Your friends at Forest Hills Public Schools are here to help with some suggestions.  We agree that when writing a paper, solving a math problem, researching a topic, or collaborating with fellow students, technology can help children do their school work and develop good technology skills.  We thought it might be useful to provide some specifications for any device you may consider buying your student if you’d like them to use it to complete school work (and not just play games, watch YouTube, or send text messages).

If you are planning to purchase a piece of technology for your child, you may want to consider equipment that meets district technology requirements if it is to be used for school work permitted by staff.  While the Forest Hills Public Schools’ network supports a variety of devices, personal equipment is the sole responsibility of its owner and does not fall under the support or scope of Forest Hills Public Schools Technology Department.

Here is a helpful list that any shopper can take to the store to ask salespeople if the devices you are considering meet the following requirements:

Your child’s device should have:

• Wireless networking capability (the district provides filtered wireless access in all buildings to students)
• Virus protection program (if running a Windows or Macintosh computer operating system)
• Color screen; screen size of at least 9.5”
• External keyboard or other means of entering text
• Camera that takes both still photos and video (front and rear cameras are most versatile)
• Microphone
• Audio out-port and earbuds or headphones
• Minimum 4 hours of use from one battery charge
• Fully-functioning current web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari) that will allow it to access Google Apps for Education tools, the PowerSchool student portal, Moodle, and the Follett Destiny library catalog, along with other e-resources the district provides

Devices known to work effectively on the Forest Hills Public Schools WiFi infrastructure:

• Microsoft Windows based devices (computers, tablets, netbooks)
• ChromeBooks, ChromeOS
• Galaxy Tab, Motorola Xoom, ASUS Transformers, Nexus (and most other android tablets running a current Android version)
• iPads, (IOS5 and above and with an external keyboard) and e-Readers such as the Amazon Kindle Fire 10.

eAchieve Policies

• Responsible Use Agreement
• Digital Citizenship