student demographic data in one system, and utilizing a second system for grades, progress and educational data. The integration of these two systems will be a critical milestone in content delivery and record keeping. The 2020-2021 school year was a challenge technically, and our proactive procurement of Schoology as a learning management platform turned out to be a critical piece of our performance and success when the school pivoted to virtual learning. Students now have an information hub where they can access important information such as class updates, assignments, zoom links, and important calendar information all in one place. In addition to each class having its own page the faculty manage, the students each have an advisory section on Schoology where the students virtually could continue to connect, express the mselves, and have a virtual “home base” for their at -home learning experience. Content Delivery and Resource Availability A strength and asset of the Levine learning community is the availability of relevant, high-end technologies for both educators ’ an d students’ use alike , across all grade levels. The Levine Early Childhood Center uses Tadpoles, an online platform, to communicate with parents. Tadpoles allows teachers to send photos and videos of their students to parents in real time. Parents are able to send notes to teachers as well. Teachers utilize their daily reports function which includes all activities, specials (Science, Jewish Studies, Library), and art projects so that parents know exactly what their children are learning on a daily basis. For our youngest students, Tadpoles allows the teachers to document diaper changes, bottle feedings, meals and nap times. It also allows our school to keep better track of attendance since all children and teachers are logged in and out daily. Tadpoles is extremely user friendly and simply asks parents to download the free app. This program is especially targeted for our teachers of small children, so no matter whether in a classroom, or on a playground or a field trip, they have important information at their fingertips, built for portability and on -the-go use. Levine Academy’s carefully planned and implemented framework creates an infrastructure for enabling easy and accessible technology use for all levels K-8 of student learning and instruction. At Levine Academy, students each have a personal learning device in grades 4-8. Furthermore, student-computing machines are available at every grade level for student use throughout the course of their academic school day. In grades K-3, there is a personal learning device available for each student in each classroom. In addition to the availability of devices throughout the school, students enjoy access to other readily available technological resources. Levine Academy students and teachers utilize digital curriculum at all grade levels, enjoy digital research resources on the school premises through use of library and media services, and possess access to wall-to-wall WIFI. Recent upgrades include redundant internet provided by multiple internet providers with the intent of creating a consistent and constant availability, limiting any slowdowns or gaps in speed or service. In addition, interactive touch smartboards are installed in each K-8 classroom and select “classrooms on wheels” are available for specialized studies at each grade level. Presently at Levine, we house 16 movable computer carts.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker