About 'www.harwich.edu'

    'www.harwich.edu' uses a dedicated file server with T-1 Internet access. At this time, each of the three school buildings can connect to the file server either by routers or fiber hard line. Internet routers, one at  the High School and one serving the Middle School / Elementary School complex provide two T-1 connections.

    In June 1995, through a Massachusetts Department of Education competitive Technology grant, the Harwich Public School district became one of the the first school systems in Massachusetts to maintain its own dedicated web server. This grant provided each school library at the Elementary, Middle and High School with networking to the web server and initial Internet research availability to students and staff.

    As a result of a special Harwich Town Article (9/96), sponsored by Mr. James Marceline, additional computers were added to the network in classrooms and labs to allow increased student access to the telecommunications resources. World Wide Web and E-Mail service became more available through additional networked workstations to the file server.

    At the annual Town Meeting in May 1997, citizens endorsed and funded a five year Technology program for the schools. In September 1997, 30 additional classroom computer systems were purchased which increased telecommunications and Internet research access. During the late spring and summer of 1998, the High School and Middle School were wired to provide electronic infrastructure access to every classroom in these two buildings. Additionally, a fiber optic cable was installed to connect the Elementary School Library Media Center and computer lab to the Middle School network. In September 1998, additional computer systems were purchased for classroom and computer labs (Elementary 18, Middle School 27, High School 22). During the winter and spring of 1999, ten additional classrooms at the Elementary School were wired to allow network telecommunications for students and teachers in grade four and grade five. During the summer of 1999, additional computer systems and file servers (4) were purchased for classrooms (5), labs (17) and Library Media Centers (8).

    In June 1999, utilizing Mass Department of Education professional development funds, the district purchased 8 computers to establish a teacher training lab. In September 1999, the district was awarded a competitive federal grant to provide funding to support use of this training facility by teachers.

    During the summer of 2000, 36 additional computers were purchased for classroom and computer labs.

    During the summer of 2001, 16 computers were purchased and installed as new a Math / Plato remediation Lab at the High School. The Harwich Public Schools were awarded two competitive technology grants in August 2001. One grant provided funding to support student participation in a pilot project to enroll in on line telecommunication courses (Virtual High School). The second grant provided Professional Development funding for teachers to participate in the Department of Education sponsored Virtual Education Space telecommunication collaboration project.

    In August 2002, the first phase of technology wiring and switching infrastructure was completed as a part of the Elementary School Building Project.  New computers were installed to provide Office staff (Administration, Secretarial, Guidance, and Nurse) (8) and Special Education teachers (9) with Internet and network software program resources. At the High School, a new Writing Lab was installed (21 computers) to support the English Department writing skills curriculum objectives. This lab is used on a daily basis by all tenth grade students as part of a required writing skills class and available to all High School students after school for 2 hours. 

     During the summer of 2003, a Writing and Study Skills Lab (20 computers) was installed at the Middle School. Throughout the school day, this Lab is available on a sign up basis to all classroom teachers for curriculum application support. After school, the Lab provides Plato remedial instruction and study skills applications.  At the High School, the Computer Lab was expanded to encompass Video Media Production equipment including commercial grade cameras and additional computers for video editing. In September 2003, the Elementary Building Project completed the final phase of construction with the installation of classroom (37) and Lab (20) computers.

     Throughout the late spring and continuing throughout the summer of 2004, substantial upgrades of computers were initiated at the High School and Middle School. At the High School, the Business Lab, Media Production and VHS Labs were upgraded with new computers. The used lab computers were then reformatted and redistributed to replace older classroom computers. From the redistribution of computers, four additional computers were added to the Guidance Office for student career and college search use. At the Middle School, the computer lab was upgraded with these used computers also reformatted and redistributed to replace older Middle School classroom computers. District, High School and Middle School Office computers were upgraded with the used computers redistributed to classrooms. The most exciting news however, came from the Department of Education when on August 24, 2004, the District was notified that it had been selected and awarded a two year Federal Competitive Grant: Enhancing Education Through Technology (170-B) worth more than $200,000. The purpose of the grant program is to support school districts to develop two-year sustainable projects that use technology to improve student academic achievement and provide high quality professional development that uses research-based instructional strategies to integrate technology effectively into instruction. The focus of this grant will be the Harwich Middle School teachers and students. The grant will provide professional development to teachers in the use of laptop computers to improve student achievement using technology standards aligned with the MA State Frameworks.

     The Harwich Public School's 5 year Technology Plan includes the goal of providing a networked multimedia computer in every classroom for the purpose of improving teaching resources and learning opportunities for students. This plan has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education (June 2001) and qualifies for additional E Rate funding for improved networking infrastructure. Each year, subsequent updated plans and data (2003) have been filed in compliance with the Department of Education to maintain eligibility requirements for educational funding.

Volunteers

    If you are interested in volunteering to help with our library and Internet services, please contact our Library Media Specialists. At this time, you may send E-mail via:

 


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