District Technology Vision and Mission Statements

Mission Statement

The Chicopee Public Schools has a mission to provide students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to be useful citizens in our society.  Students need technology to enhance their abilities to exist in a diverse and technologically complex world. It is our intent to provide students with the access to technology so they will be proficient in today’s information age. 

Vision Statement

            As the year 2007 approaches, the Chicopee School District will continue to transform our students learning environment through the integration of new technologies.  Our vision includes every school in the district having a state of the art multimedia computers (or clusters of computers) in every classroom and computer lab(s) that are linked by network systems not only to the building’s classrooms and media center, but also to other schools and public buildings within the city.  Wireless technology and mobile computer lap top carts along with PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistants) will systematically be incorporated into buildings.  All building computer workstations will be linked to community resources, higher education institutions, and the world through the Internet to promote optimal student learning, reinforcement and support.

            Information and resources will be accessed through computer programs established on the Local Area Networks as well as Wide Area Networks throughout the community.  These resources will enhance the curriculum by integrating technology into the Common Core of learning.

            In envisioning the future, we are committed to providing equity in technology access to all students regardless of age, gender, or ability.  The use of computers and technology will be integrated throughout every phase of the curriculum as reflected in the Common Core of Learning.

            Learning tools for students will be revised and upgraded yearly.  The Technology Committee and its resources will be the major component for deciding on the tools necessary for the students to keep up with technological skills.

            The vision demands provisions for professional development, which empowers teachers and administrators to plan effectively for using computers and related technology.  It is vital that the instructional staff learn how to integrate the use of computers and technology within the curriculum.

            The administration will be able to access student records and portfolios through technology along with the carrying out of their daily tasks utilizing word processing, data base and spreadsheet programs.

            The general community of Chicopee will be part of the technology development of the Chicopee Public Schools through public input and stakeholders named as part of the technology committee.  Furthermore, all public departments and resources will be tied into our information structure to allow for a sharing of facilities.  The Technology committee will oversee the activities of the Chicopee Public Schools to insure that the vision and mission statements are followed.

·         Reflections of stakeholders

- Monthly technology meetings sharing with technology team members up to date progress being made in all technology improvements. Information is then shared with administration, faculty, parents, students and community members.

- Accepting and integrating suggestions of the Technology Team sub committee meeting on a regular basis to discuss changes in technology and how these can be incorporated into our LAN & WAN Infrastructures.

- Formal televised school committee meeting  presentations to keep city officials and community viewers advised of technology initiatives.

·         Expression of commitment to district accessibility

- School open house nights display the use of technology and its uses in the classroom.

- Family technology nights involving both students and parents in the current technologies being used in the city schools.

- Night school making up to date technology available to community members by offering evening technology courses.

- Designating libraries as equal access opportunity areas.

·         Commitment to Common Core Learning

- Emphasizing the NCBL (No Child Left Behind) goals as part of our city plan.

- Massachusetts Board of Education believes that all children can become lifelong learners and meet high Standards.  This guiding belief is the basis for establishing high expectations for teaching and learning in the City of Chicopee.  The goal is for all to lead productive, fulfilling, and successful lives in our complex, diverse and changing worlds.

- Today, due to global competition, new technologies and work methods, jobs are changing at such an accelerating pace that high school can no longer provide all the education one needs for life.  Everyone needs to become a lifelong learner who can adapt to change and challenge and be prepared for the jobs and opportunities of the future.

- While manual typewriters constituted high technology in offices and schools only a short time ago, now computers, electronic networks, wireless technologies, expanded telephone services and other technological tools are essential in the workspace.  These tools must become standard within every classroom to ensure that all students and teachers have the opportunity to apply and extend their skills and knowledge.

- Including Massachusetts State Frameworks educational initiatives in our plan.

·         Commitment to improving learning tools through integration

- Workshops to train teachers in the use of computers in the classroom and integration of technology into the curriculum.

- Continuing to provide Internet access to all city schools and city departments.

- Updating and increasing workstations in individual classrooms.

- Incorporating wireless technologies into our schools

- Incorporating SMART Board technology into our classrooms.

- Incorporating hand held device technologies into our classrooms.

- Keeping an open mind and evaluating emerging technologies.

·         Incorporating of professional development

- Providing opportunity and support for quality professional development for all educators so that they can reach their full potential in a vital, changing and challenging profession.

- Daily television broadcasts of Annenberg television on Channel 19 from the Chicopee Public Schools Telecommunications Dept. making available educational broadcasting in the public schools and to homes in Chicopee during the day.  Evening broadcasts are Public Access programing.  Our local origination programming is on Channel 5 and is broadcasted into homes in the City of Chicopee.

- Making new distance learning opportunities available through participation in INTERNET II for teacher development courses.

- Professional development workshops planed by the Curriculum and Technology departments of the Chicopee Public Schools.

- Large group workshops offered as part of the Curriculum Development Dept.

- Large or small group workshops offered by the Technology Dept. specialized to the needs of specific teachers and school building needs.

- Technology department support for purchase and upkeep of hardware and software.  Supplying staff to do necessary repairs to hardware and installing of software.

- Support for evaluation of software, advising on purchasing and pricing.

- Technology department scheduling of specialized training as needed.

- Evaluations to indicate areas of needed support.

·         Providing improved administrative efficiency

- The development and approval of City wide computer policies

- Computer misuse policy

- Internet AUP (Acceptable Use Policies) policies and agreements

- Issuing of account policies and agreements

- Updating of administrative software.

- Goals of incorporating grade book software.

- Goals of incorporating portfolio assessment software.

- Evaluations assessing efficiency.