Manchester Approves Lower Book Fees, Handbook Changes
Posted
BY KERI KOENIG-
NORTH MANCHESTER – Overall textbook fees are going down in the Manchester Community Schools. At the school board meeting Tuesday night, Dr. Bill Reichhart told the teachers that presented the new average costs, “I appreciate you all trying to keep the costs within reason.” Parents will no longer have to pay a $40 insurance fee for the iPads. The iPads were replaced by Chromebooks and a built-in three-year warranty. After the three years the students will then own their own Chromebook. Only the fourth-grade students are seeing a substantial rise in textbook fees, but this is because it includes a $100 fee that goes toward their brand new Chromebook. In many classes students will have the option of using a physical textbook as well as a digital copy. Brady Burgess asked teachers and his fellow board members which the students preferred. Would there be a cheaper option for those who only want one or the other? Most teachers at this point in time think they do utilize both. Students like to have a textbook in class, but then a digital format for notes. It is also useful to have a digital copy of textbooks so that it is less to carry home. It was a $2 difference to include a dual textbook package. The technology handbook is undergoing various changes. All policies on iPads will now be replaced with similar guidelines for the new Chromebooks. Unpaid technology fees will be stressed because it is the user’s responsibility. A black “always on” brand case will be provided for all the Chromebooks, however, the school is promoting personalizing student devices. This could include stickers, badges and charms. As long as the decorations are school appropriate and the student ID barcode is visible, the customizations will be permitted. The Nearpod Virtual Reality Grant was awarded to Manchester Community Schools. Curriculum Director Sue Gnagy applied for the grant because many teachers were already utilizing the software. “It isn’t PowerPoint, but it is like a slideshow that can include polls and quizzes and it is unique because it can be delivered to any device platform,” Gnagy explained to the board. The grant was advertised to promote the new virtual reality technologies. “It was a long shot of being awarded the grant, but only required an essay and a video entry.” The new technology will provide headsets that can produce a realistic 3D visual for the wearer. Instead of organizing field trips it could be possible to virtually explore the Galapagos Islands in a classroom setting. It is estimated that the total value of the grant is about $5,000. The teachers who will get to utilize the technology look forward to this engaging new piece of technology and hope that students will retain this information in this way. The ISTEP scores are in and will be released to parents at the school’s registrations on the first and second of August. It was decided that the log-in information be given in this way so that the office staff would be available to answer questions and so that there would be time to request a retest by Aug. 15, depending upon this year’s results.
