Classrooms of the Future

I had the opportunity to go to MIT on Thursday afternoon,September 13th, to participate in an NBC Learn town meeting on the future of technology in the classroom. It was an interesting event, which was streamed live on the Internet. The future of teaching, coupled with the power of technology, has the power to customize learning for every student. Two panels participated, one on the issue of access and one on the vision for new learning environments. Both promise and concern were a part of the discussions. The promise of harnessing the power of technology to engage students with dynamic content in a collaborative environment is very exciting to think about. Giving them the ability to access learning and collaborate with others in their own classrooms and across the world via the Internet and learning platforms is very powerful. However, access is a huge issue, not only here in Belchertown, but across the country. The panelists identified the digital divide as a two-pronged problem. The first is geographic in nature, where smaller communities in more rural locations have a more difficult time accessing broadband connections that can support video streaming and access, as well as not having the financial support to provide the necessary infrastructure and equipment to realize this vision. The second is socio-economic. Disadvantaged students often don't have the kinds of access that their more affluent peers do at home. These are large scale issues that must be addressed both locally and nationally.

It was a thought-provoking event at which I was able to get front-row seat along with several of my colleagues from across the state. Being that close to two panels of experts and practitioners was most exciting! You can see the archived videos from the event on www.educationnation.com.

In other news this week, the School Committee met on Tuesday evening to conduct business. Several items were discussed and voted upon, including those having to do with the budget, personnel items, and reports from subcommittees who will have business to conduct in the near future. The Personnel and Policy Subcommittee will meet on Tuesday, September 18th, at 7:00 pm in my office. The Property and Transportation Subcommittee will meet on Friday, September 21st, at 10:00 am in Tadgell School. Agendas for both of these meetings are posted in the District/School Committee area of our web site, www.belchertownps.org.

Of course, the big news is the current status with regard to Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus in the region. Our town is doing all we can to prevent undue risk. On the school side, we are curtailing all activities after dusk. The Belchertown Fair Committee, with the support of the Selectmen, has postponed the fair fireworks originially scheduled for September 20th at Chestnut Hill Community School, due to its proximity to Red Maple Swamps, which are prime breeding grounds for EEE mosquitos. The fair itself is still scheduled to go on as planned on September 21st and 22nd and precautions are being put in place for this event to take place. Residents of the town are being urged by our Board of Health to take personal precautions: wearing long sleeves and long pants if out between dusk and dawn, and using insect repellents recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Health. The fact sheet from DPH is on the main page of our web site for your information.

As always, if you have any questions about the information you see here, please feel free to call my office at 413.323.0423.

Best Regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools