Harris Middle Wins National Awards!

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On Thursday, May 7, 1999, Harris Middle School (Principal, Terry Saylor) became one of ten school recipients of the national Annual Business Week Awards for Instructional Innovation.

This award was presented to schools that demonstrated that they incorporate technology in teaching and learning during most of the day. Each of the ten chosen schools then becomes part of a national "Network to Success" program committed to building educational excellence in the United States during 1999/2000.

Ms. Charolotte Frank (Vice President- R&D, McGraw-Hill) and Mr. William Krupper (Associate Publisher, Business Week) presented the award to Harris Middle School teacher, Betsy Norris, in San Francisco, California.

 

What type of technology is going on at Harris Middle School?

Technology is opening up doors to our youth. Harris students have been participating in: The Thinkquest Project, The HP Telementoring Project, Accelerated Reader Program, Kit'n'Kaboodle Science, Keypals, and the creation of original student created multimedia presentations using PowerPoint. These presentations are put on CD and/or VCR tape for students, parents, and teachers to enjoy. Teachers benefit greatly from our school web site and the many available lesson plans that are here. Various site, network, and stand alone computer programs are being used for both remedial and enrichment programs. Some of our favorite software include: Cornerstone, Math for the Real World, The Student Writing and Research Center, and students love all the Carmen's. Computers are used by teachers and students for research and word processing. The school newspaper is being done with the computer, and commercials advertising the newspaper are being done using technology and are then broadcast over our inschool television system. Large screens in various areas and listening centers in other areas allow for more than one participant using technology. The English Second Language students are also benefiting from the ability of the Net to translate and the drill and practice of good software.

Harris has a computerized library, cafeteria, and office. Teachers use technology for doing attendance and grades. Email is being utilized to communicate with parents. Teachers have a message board on the HMS website for communication. There is a tech workorder form, lesson plans, and calendar. Many sequenced reading, hyperlinked lesson plans are available to the faculty. These plans are not housed on our web site, but are accessed from our local network.

One hundred percent of our faculty have an active email account. Teacher technology literacy increases each day.

What type of equipment does Harris Middle School have and how was it obtained?

Harris has 190 computers. The school has two multimedia labs, a typing lab, a computerized library with 5 student research computers, and anywhere from 1-8 computers per classroom in a completely networked environment enabling network and Internet access in every classroom.

The equipment is the result of the last 6 years of effort. Two Goals 2000 grants provided our labs. Other grants gave us wiring, more computers, Internet web space, printers, and various other technology materials and software. Some fundraising money has also provided equipment. We have a fabulous Parent-Teacher organization, and Harris has a business partner, First American Bank.

Hard work and effort on behalf of the staff and faculty has certainly contributed to keeping things running smoothly and efficiently.

Ninety percent of wiring and technology work have been completed by the various staff and faculty members that have worked tirelessly to provide the technology that can be used as an educational tool.

What type of professional development is provided to teachers?

The local state technology center provides free technology classes to any Bedford County teacher including Harris Middle School. These classes include keyboarding, Windows '95, Multimedia, Internet, and PC Repair. Several local technology inservices have been included in training teachers to use technology. We also have had several in-house training sessions.

How does technology benefit everyone involved?

Technology has promoted sharing and communication among teachers. It lifts morale and gives teachers the tools to do an efficient job.

Technology allows communication to parents. Our web page provides information on our school, teachers, and curriculum. It provides a place to check assignments, a place for comments, and a way to communicate with teachers.

Students are benefiting most from technology. Students can see, hear, and activity participate in their learning thus test scores and knowledge levels increase. Problem solving and thinking skills are improved. Motivation and attendance enhance learning. Ask any student, learning is fun with a computer.

Technology Goals:

Award:

Harris received $1500 and a beautiful plaque. The first $750.00 is an honorarium to the educators in the school for innovative talent and dedication to effectivenss. The remaining $750.00 is for expenses incurred when the schools share their winning programs with other educators throughout the nations thereby expanding the "Network to Success."

Winners receive national recognition in Business Week magazine.

These awards are made possible by:

We at Harris Middle School want to thank each of the above sponsors for making this possible and for all of their efforts throughout the year to carry the torch for school innovation and technology!

The Ten National Winners

  

 

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Information:

If you would like to know more about the technology program at Harris or you feel that we can be of help to you in any way, please feel free to contact us at Harris. We are eager to help.

Email Betsy Norris

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