Contents

- Introduction
- Mission Statements: School and Technology
- Current State of Technology Infrastructure
- Guiding Principles
- Planning Process
- Goals

• Goal 1: Equity
• Goal 2: Managing Resourcea
• Goal 3: Learning Community
• Goal 4: Community Involvement
• Goal 5: Networking
• Goal 6: Professional Development
• Goal 7: Documentation

- Budget Information and Narrative

Lincoln School’s plan for technology beginning in 1997 focused almost entirely on building the infrastructure and support to incorporate the effective use of technology into the curriculum and general operation of the school. Substantial resources are now in place and the school now must focus on maintaining and improving the infrastructure as well as focusing more pointedly on its effective and constant use. The greatest challenge at the time of this writing is effectively applying our technological resources toward improved teaching, learning, communication and operation.

[back to Index]

Lincoln School’s Mission Statement

Lincoln School is an independent college preparatory school for girls where high academic and ethical standards challenge students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 to nurture their special talents and interests. Drawing on its Quaker heritage, Lincoln School focuses on character and values, as well as knowledge, simplicity, cooperation, mutual respect, nonviolent resolution of conflict, and service. The aims of a Lincoln education are confidence, achievement, success, and a life-long love of learning.

- Board of Trustees, 1995

Technology Mission Statement

The times and culture in which we live are increasingly being supported and changed by a wide variety of technologies. Technology itself is a rapidly developing and changing phenomenon. Lincoln seeks to prepare its students for careers and personal lives that are comfortable and effective with the use of technology in a world that increasingly requires higher order thinking skills. Jobs and life require people who can solve problems, understand complex terminology, communicate clearly, and make sense out of rapidly changing information and systems. All areas of life more and more demand higher levels of literacy in all areas.

[back to Index]

Since 1997 Lincoln has expanded its technology infrastructure to include the following:

• 3MB internet connectivity through RINET (Cox Business Services);
• Network protected with Cisco PIX 515 firewall;
• Internet access filtered to CIPA standards through RINET network appliance;
• Barracuda SPAM appliance installed;
• Both wired and wireless network segments accessible to students, faculty and staff;
• 3 computer labs (Lower School Lab with interactive white board, Middle School Lab with interactive white board, and Art Computer Lab).
  
• Computers in all offices, upgraded within AYs 2007-2008 and 2008-2009;
• New Business Office/Development server in 2007-2008;
• Faculty Laptops, purchased/replaced on a graduated basis from AY 2003-present
• Satellite labs (5) for student and faculty use (Science Wing Bridge, Upper School Student Lounge, Upper/Middle School Library, Lower School Library, Center for Peace Equity and Justice through Service);
• Student laptops for Chemistry Classes (added AY 2007)
• Former Science Wing Computer Lab was incorporated directly into the Physics Lab (AY 2009);
• Computers distributed and redistributed to various classrooms;
• The school maintains a number of onsite servers for the following various needs:
  • Two academic file servers for faculty, staff, administration and student use. Student accounts are created in Grade One and are in place through Grade Twelve;
  • An email and conferencing server (FirstClass);
  • An intranet web server to serve the information needs of faculty, staff, students and parents;
  • A library OPAC server for two libraries;
  • A WeatherNet server to broadcast weather information from Lincoln as well as a roof-mounted observation camera;
  • A fileserver to contain the school's Student Information System databases (inResonance/FileMaker)
  • A fileserver to contain files for the school's Business and Development Offices and system software (Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge) for the Development Office. The Business Office will make a transition to a web-based accounting and fixed asset system (Senior Systems) in AY 2009-2010.
• Networking
  • The entire main building, Faxon Hall, was newly wired for phones and data during the summer of 2005 as well as new phone and data connections to The Little School across the street;
  • The Science Wing/Dining Room/Music Center was newly connected with fiber optic cabling and classrooms rewired in the Fall of 2007;
  • A line-of-sight wireless link was established from the Science Wing to the Boss-McLoughlin Gymnasium across the street in the Summer of 2007;
  • The entire campus is covered by wireless technology;
  • In the late summer/early fall of 2008, the school introduced a VoIP telephone system.
• Instructional Technology
  • Lincoln currently has thirteen (13) interactive whiteboards in place in all divisions and across all disciplines with the intention of continually adding to this number until all appropriate classrooms are so equipped;
  • LCD projectors, televisions and video monitors are all readily available for instuctional use;
  • Science labs are equipped with digital sensor systems, electronic microscopes for scientific data collection as well as scientific modelling software;
  • A dedicated robotics lab has been set up and a course has been offered for three (?) years and a school team competes in state competitions;
  • In the summer of 2008, new computers were installed in the Upper School Library;
  • Also in the summer of 2008, a new voice-over-IP phone system with email interface and direct-line IDs was put in place to replace the outdated analog system.
    

[back to Index]

Technology should be used to facilitate students in becoming life-long learners and enable them to become productive members of a society—digitally and ethically.

• Technology should be a powerful and essential tool in the education process for students, faculty and staff.
• Technology should be used to support student learning and high academic expectations.
• Technology should be integrated throughout the curriculum.
• Technology should strengthen the home/school/community relationship.
• Technology should provide real-world experiences at all grade levels that assist the transition from school to career.
• Technology should be used to model learning that has previously been considered theoretical.
• Technology should improve instruction.

This plan is provided as a current guideline for the appropriate and effective use of technology for Lincoln School and covers a three-year period from September 2010 to August 2013. Considering the rapid rate with which technology changes, this plan will be adapted and changed as technologies develop. Lincoln is proud of its organic attitude toward the implementation of new technologies. Equipment is purchased and put in place as much as possible within budgetary constraints based on identified needs of students, faculty and staff.

[back to Index]

It should be noted that because of Lincoln’s relatively small size, anyone and everyone can have impact on technology decision-making by requesting software, subscriptions, training, systems, equipment as needs arise. Strong contributors to technology advancement are included below.

Doug Alexander, Director of Academic Technology
Charles Cofone, Director of Operational Affairs
Elizabeth Hunt,Technology Specialist and Webmaster
Kathleen Macdonell, Upper School Director and Academic Dean
William Shotwell, Upper School English Teacher and Technology Integration Specialist
Teryl Sweeney, Director of Information Services and Middle School Administrative Assistant

Michaela Andrews, Middle School English Teacher
Constance Bryan, Grade 3 Teacher
Nicole Chapdelaine, Controller and Admissions Associate
Maggie Friedfeld, Middle School Mathematics Teacher
Kym Gaissl, Business Manager
Catherine Hibbitt, Middle/Upper School Science Teacher
Doris Hull, Upper School Mathematics Teacher
Hanna Rudnicki, Upper School Physics Teacher


[back to Index]

Goal 1: Equity
Goal 2: Managing Resources
Goal 3: Learning Community
Goal 4: Community Involvement
Goal 5: Networking
Goal 6: Professional Development
Goal 7: Documentation

Goal 1: Equity

True to its Quaker heritage, Lincoln will demonstrate a commitment to equity of access for students and staff for the use of technology in teaching and learning.

• A demonstrated commitment to equity of access will assure students and staff the use technology in teaching, learning and job application.All buildings will be connected for computer networking by fiber, copper and/or wireless connections. All network components and Internet connections will be upgraded systematically to meet increasing technology needs. Technology personnel will upgrade and maintain all networks or arrange for outside contracting to do so. Each division will have at least one networked computer lab classroom.The technology budget will include scheduled replacement of computer labs (capital, operational and personnel) as well as adequate operating resources to maintain current standards. The Director of Academic Technology will develop and monitor an annual needs assessment process. Using current inventory data, the Director of Academic Technology and Director of Operational Affairs will develop a yearly plan for distributing operating and replacement funds. They will recommend to the Business Manager line item allocations for operating and replacement funds. The technology operating resources and replacement cycle will adjust to meet curricular program needs. The goal for general replacement of computers will be every three years. In support of this part of the goal, the school has embarked on a hardware leasing program. The school will provide equipment and support for all students, faculty and staff. The Director of Technology, faculty and technology coordinators will evaluate the technology needs for each student, faculty and staff member and recommend equipment/software purchases to support student, faculty and staff learning and teaching.
• The school will provide students and faculty access to computers after regular school hours.

[back to Index] [back to Goals list]

Goal 2: Managing Resources

Lincoln will coordinate and facilitate the use of technology to support learning, and will model leadership and supportive technical assistance

• Standardize equipment throughout the school, especially in each division to save on budget costs.
• The Director of Academic Technology and the Director of Operational Affairs will—
  • Establish a baseline of current standard equipment as determined by the computer industry for both Macintosh and Windows computers each year;
  • Maintain and implement a school-wide physical inventory;
  • Standardize office software across the various offices;
  • Work with faculty and staff to identify software suites to be used in all schools;
  • Contribute to developing a K-12 integrated curriculum based on establishing grade level outcomes/student competencies for all students.
  • Review and revise school-wide computer curriculum to address grade level outcomes/student competencies, following the National Education Technology Standards (NETS), which recommend that students learn the following skills with respect to digital tools:
    1. Creativity and Innovation
    2. Communication and Collaboration
    3. Research and Information Fluency
    4. Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making
    5. Digital Citizenship
    6. Technology Operation and Concepts
  • Organize workshops for the purpose of sharing software and resources on a yearly basis or as needed.
  • Develop a technology staff to support the efforts of students, teachers, and staff.
  • Create job descriptions for Director of Operational Affairs, Director of Technology, Director of Information System, Technology Specialist and Integration Specialist.
  • Make technology educators readily available to guide teachers and students in the use of technology.
  • Develop and maintain a school-wide student information system.
  • Coordinate state and federal reporting.

[back to Index] [back to Goals list]

Goal 3: Learning Community

Lincoln will be a learning community comprised of students, families, faculty and staff, and alumnae engaged in an active partnership using technology as a tool for learning and communication.

• Technology training related to school resources (calendars, schedules, college application process, class notes, email etc.);
• Email distribution lists for families for use by teachers and administration;
• Online college application system (Naviance - www.naviance.com) for use by seniors and their families during the application process.

[back to Index] [back to Goals list]

Goal 4: Community Involvement

Lincoln will present its resources, guided by ethical, institutional and academic principles.

• Voice Mail and Other Telecommunications
• All faculty and staff members will have voice mail services with the optional transferal of voice mail to faculty and staff email.
• Cable Television
• Cable television ports are available in the Upper School Library, Dining Room and Music Center.
• Multimedia and Desktop Publishing
  • The school will arrange for the creation and distribution of electronic versions of all types of materials and that hardcopy versions will be distributed only in certain instances. Families are polled regularly to determine whether any family needs hardcopy due to lack of online access.
  • The school will have appropriate multimedia and desktop publishing hardware/software capacity.
  • Staff members will be encouraged to utilize multimedia, desktop publishing and interactive whiteboards to enhance their work and presentations.
  • Students will be encouraged to publish their work in print and electronic media including web pages, the school newspaper and literary magazine and the annual Middle School and Upper School yearbooks.
• Email communications between parents, teachers, students, and administration will be encouraged and supported.
• • Use of FirstClass email by faculty, staff and students (grades 6-12) is governed by the school Acceptable Use Policy.
  • Every faculty member, administrator, staff member, and student (grades 6-12) will have an e-mail address/account.
  • Training sessions in the use of email communication will be offered to all faculty members, administrators, staff and students. These sessions will focus on the 'how to' of email and its integrated conference system, and the integration of email into lessons and projects with students.
  • As much as possible school communication will be conducted electronically and administration, faculty, staff and students will encourage the use of email as a preferred mode of internal communication.
  • FirstClass also has other capabilites that the school takes great advantage of such as conferences (classes, committees, issues etc.)
• World Wide Web
• • An outsourced web site has been established for Lincoln School. This site provides information relevant to all constituencies of the school (students, parents, faculty and staff, alumnae and supporters) and is a major source of admissions and public relations information.
  • The Director of Operational Affairs will be the designated technical liaison for the outsourced Lincoln School web site; direct oversight and maintenance covered under public relations efforts.
  • Training in the development of instructional and divisional web pages on this site is offered to all faculty and staff. The training focuses on both the creation of web pages and their application and integration into the curriculum. Training and support materials are posted on the web site. Training sessions in the setup and use of web pages are offered by technology staff on a regular and individual basis.
  • The school has the hardware and software necessary to create, and present intranet web pages to which faculty and staff can also have access.
  • The school provides appropriate information about programs, curriculum, staffing, and school culture in web pages.
  • The school updates its outsourced and intranet web page regularly. A major redesign and reorganization of the outsourced web site was undertaken during academic year 2007-2008 and was launched in April 2008.
  • Faculty and staff update their web pages regularly.
  • The Director of Operational Affairs will be have oversight of the school web site and may delegate that responsibility to various staff members as is necessary. In AY 2008-2009 a faculty member was given the responsibility of the webmaster.
  • The Director of Operational Affairs will coordinate the integration of these various web technologies.
  • With the institution of the new web site, a much more effective system of electronic communication became possible. A "communications team" was put in place to more effectively communicate with the school's various constituencies and the public. This team meets regularly and forms policy and systems for communication.

[back to Index] [back to Goals list]

Goal 5: Networking

Lincoln will maintain and extend network connectivity to central resources, the community and the world for all school divisions and offices.

• Each building will have voice and data connectivity with cable television selectively available.
• Network access points will be placed in classrooms, offices and other inhabited spaces.
• Based on need, the school budget will include funds to extend the network, install additional ports and relocate ports.
• All school office personnel will have access to electronic and voice mail services at their workspaces.
• All students, faculty and staff will have individual, password-protected server accounts.
• Faculty will have access through school-supplied laptops and/or desktop machines.
• The technology staff will evaluate, select, install and maintain separate servers to support email, file service, web publishing, library OPAC and other online services.
• The Director of Operational Affairs will maintain contracts for telecommunication and voice mail services.
• The technology staff will establish electronic mail boxes and job-related electronic conferences for all school personnel and maintain access to these accounts and conferences.
• The technology staff will install a standard desktop image containing the necessary software for effective work, study and research onto each student and faculty workstation. This image will be maintained and updated regularly.

[back to Index] [back to Goals list]

Goal 6: Professional Development

Lincoln will provide equal access to technology-related professional development opportunities to its faculty and staff.

• The technology staff will work with and support faculty to create classroom projects and web-based resources.
• In AY 2010-2011, a faculty member will be reassigned to fill the role of Instructional Integration Specialist.
• Technology training will be available to all staff and will be based on staff needs and school goals.
• Develop a school plan for teacher training depending upon staff knowledge, teacher-to-teacher training also depending upon the equipment in the building.
• Provide all-school in-service training for faculty and staff.
• Each faculty and staff member will receive training on access and interaction with networked computers and file servers.
• Each faculty and staff member will receive training on access and interaction with the school email and conferencing system.
• The school will provide professional development with the roll out of any new equipment and/or software.

[back to Index] [back to Goals list]

Goal 7: Documentation

Lincoln will develop and/or review and update written policies for Acceptable Use of Information Technology, Web Site Use and Limitations, Disaster Recovery, and System Back-up.

[back to Index]

Lincoln School's fiscal year (FY) parallels the academic year (AY) and runs from July 1 through June 30. The Technology budget is divided into seven (7) standard line items, but spending out of these lines is fluid and at the discretion of the Director of Operational Affairs. These techology budgets represent an All-School line (to cover replacement costs, annual licensing fees, specialized equipment, etc.), one line for each of the academic divisions - Lower [Grades N-5], Middle [Grades 6-8] and Upper [Grades 9-12] to cover software not covered by annual licensing fees, hardware, subscriptions and training costs for each. In addition the school libraries (2) have their own budget line as does the Office of Information Services primarily for software purchases and office needs. As of FY/AY 2006-2007, there is a line for the purchase and replacement of faculty laptops. The Business and Admission offices have their own discreet technology lines. In AY 2010-2011 and into the future, the school will embark on a hardware leasing program that will support a more consistent approach to keeping the school infrastructure up-to-date and viable. Large expenditures (network wiring, new servers, replacement of whole labs) can be submitted as part of the capital requests budget annually. When possible, grant monies are also sought for large technology purposes.

Because budgeting is related to admissions and annual giving on an annual basis in a non-profit independent school, it is typically done in January-March of the previous academic year, so January-March 2009 for AY 2009-2010, January-March 2010 for AY 2010-2011, and so on. Core costs (internet access, software licensing, support and training) are expected to remain fairly constant.

[back to Index]