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Information Systems

Vision Statementhitachi-board
The vision for technology use in the Parkland School District is based upon the school district’s strategic plan and the district’s overall mission of “Educating for Life.” With the knowledge that the world we live in has rapidly evolved into an information-based society, we believe the use of technology should be an integral part of contemporary education. We see technology playing an ever-increasing role in our efforts to provide a quality educational program; improve efficiency and effectiveness in administrative functions; and strengthen communication within our school community.

We believe a quality information technology system
supports learning by:

  • Enhancing instruction, supporting and enriching curriculum, and aiding students in the achievement of the Pennsylvania Academic State Standards.
  • Creating technologically literate graduates prepared to meet the challenges and expectations of the global information-age society.
  • Encouraging life-long learning and enabling students to become independent learners, critical thinkers, and contributing citizens.
  • Facilitating the students’ ability to access, analyze, synthesize and present information.
  • Fostering a positive orientation to the future, enabling students to handle new technologies and constant change.
  • Providing equitable educational opportunities for all students.
  • Offering on-going professional development to enhance the technological skills of staff, administration and the Parkland community.

We believe a quality information technology system provides administrative support by:

  • Providing access to information through our district-wide voice, video, and data network.
  • Supporting the efficient and effective operation and management of the district.
  • Strengthening communication with parents and our community.
  • Maintaining continuous attention and resources for technological growth.
  • Seeking out, evaluating, and incorporating new technologies where appropriate.

Fulfillment of this vision will enable all Parkland students to reach their academic potential and will support our staff in carrying out a quality educational program.

The Parkland School District infrastructure encompasses 13 buildings over a 72 square mile area.

Features of our data network

  • 100 Mb Internet connection through CLIU 21
  • High-speed Internet 2 connection through CLIU 21
  • 1 GB full duplex ethernet between all buildings
  • HP Storage Area Network (SAN)
  • Virtualized server and desktop environment
  • District-wide energy management solutions
  • Computer access in every room in all buildings
  • Ratio of students to computers is 2:1
  • Laptop computers for all teachers and professional staff
  • Computers located in classrooms, labs and library
  • Computer platform matches need. We use both Windows and Macintosh computers.
  • More than 200 “intelligent classrooms” equipped with interactive whiteboard and projector
  • Acer netbook carts in all buildings
  • Cisco centrally managed wireless network  (802.11n) in all buildings
  • Cisco core router
  • 3Com edge switches

Elementary Schools

  • 5 computers per regular classroom
  • Library mini-labs
  • Drop-in computer lab
  • Special area computers for art, music, gifted, learning support
  • Variety of applications that integrate technology into the curriculum (e.g. Compass Learning Odyssey, Scott-Foresman SuccessNet, mClass DIBELS)

Middle Schools

  • 5 computers per regular classroom
  • Drop-in computer lab
  • Classroom computer labs for Information Technology and Technology Education
  • Library mini-lab
  • Special area computers for art, music, gifted, learning support and family consumer sciences
  • Emphasis is on Information Technology and Project Lead the Way
  • Lab-oriented classes are offered in each grade; projects from all curricular areas are integrated with information technology skills, with projects becoming progressively more challenging each year

High School

  • 2-6 computers per regular classroom at high school level
  • 13 computer labs at high school for art, business education, music, programming, technology education and Project Lead the Way
  • Mini-labs for career resource room, science, broadcasting, special education, technology education, family & consumer sciences, and driver education
  • Students use technology to participate in dual enrollment courses through a partnership with LCCC; online courses in World Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese) are also supported

All schools have access to calculators, scanners, USB microscopes, Star Lab, laptop computers, BLAKE Shuttle, and Classroom Performance System (CPS) units.

Features of our video network

  • 65 video channels on video WAN
  • Each school can broadcast four channels of programming.
  • AV equipment: TV/VCR, digital still cameras, digital video cameras, video projectors, desktop video publishing system in all buildings
  • Portable TV studio in all buildings
  • Video bulletin board system in all buildings
  • Video conferencing unit in all buildings (shared in elementary buildings)
  • Media distribution system: satellite, DVD, VCR, cable TV, internal channels in all buildings
  • Broadcast studio with video editing in secondary buildings

Features of our voice network

  • Integrated phone system
  • Aggregated outside lines
  • Auto attendant
  • Voicemail for all staff
  • Caller ID
  • Call Accounting
  • Faxes