New school websites launched this summer are designed to keep families informed about school events and information.
As more teachers are trained this year in how to create classroom Web
pages, the sites will also provide detailed information such as
homework assignments, test dates, field trip plans, team and club
activities, and updates on student learning.
While the general school pages are able to be accessed via computer
by anyone in the community, parents or guardians of all students in
preschool through grade 12 must create accounts and log in to see more
personalized classroom information for each child.
Letters explaining how to activate and use the new Edline Web
Management System will be provided to parents by early September from
each child’s school. Activation codes will be included in each letter.
Parents or guardians without access to a computer can log in to the
school websites from public computers available at local libraries.
More than 250 teachers have been trained during spring and summer in
how to create their classroom Web pages, which are replacing the former
SWIFT teacher sites.
All other classroom teachers will be trained by the end of September,
said David Pickles, project manager with the school district’s
Information Technology Center.
Pickles has been leading the trainings throughout the summer and said
teachers are excited about the possibilities for enhanced communication
with families.
Teacher Web pages are being phased in throughout the 2013-14 school
year as more staff members are trained in the process. Every classroom
teacher will be expected to have a class page launched by the start of
the 2014-15 school year.
The new Edline system gives parents the option to view a combined
calendar, in which all of their childrens’ activities or events entered
by their teachers are listed on one calendar.
The school websites are the next phase in the district’s transition to the Edline communications platform.
The district launched its newly designed website in May, along with
the Karshner Elementary, Ballou Junior High, and Walker High school
sites.
The new sites are designed to make retrieving information easier and
more effcient, said Brian Fox, executive director of communications,
information, and arts education.
The goal, Fox said, is to actively engage students, teachers,
families, and the community through photos, videos, and information that
is updated regularly.
The new website is also easily accessible from mobile phones and other mobile devices.