As the school year started,
we rolled out another grade for our 1:1 laptop program. We now have all high
school students (grades 9-12) with MacBooks. This summer we also rolled out a
new Learning Management System (LMS) called Canvas. Designed specifically for
K-12 teachers and students, Canvas is an easy-to-use, cloud-based system that
connects all the digital tools and resources teachers use into one simple
place. It integrates seamlessly with hundreds of apps, empowering teachers and
students with countless tools to make teaching and learning easier and more
fun. Now our students can access, complete, and submit assignments all in
one site, and our teachers can push assignments, lesson resources, post
discussion questions, and even give quizzes through their Canvas portal. And
what’s even better, because it's cloud based, it’s accessible across any device
that can access the internet: MacBooks, PC’s, phones, even tablets. It’s already
getting rave reviews from our faculty and students.
You may have also noticed
that our campus is undergoing some renovations as well. The school’s roofs are
being replaced due to hail damage. This process is ongoing and in all
likelihood won’t be completed until next summer. However, the repairs to Baker
Hall are complete and the gym is nearing completion. Plans are also underway to
replace the air conditioning in the oldest part of the high school building, which
should start very soon. Also approved will be a retrofit of the school’s
lighting fixtures with LED lighting. Both the HVAC and the LED lighting will
not only improve the cooling and lighting, but also save the school money in
the long run with lower utility bills.
Thanks to our Parents’ Club,
new safety and security improvements have been made. We now have limited access
points for anyone entering our building. All students in grades 7-12 will be
issued student ID’s, which will open outside doors that will be locked while
class is in session. We will funnel all traffic to one of three access points
for everyone else. Mini-Mag and the Little Red Schoolhouse will have video
cameras at their access points to allow school personnel to view those seeking
access. Plans are ongoing to continue to augment the system with more cameras,
which should provide an additional layer of security.
The school is also beginning
to craft its school improvement plan as part of our requirements for
re-accreditation from SACS (Advanced-ED), SAIS (Southern Association of
Independent Schools) and MAIS. You will receive a short online survey from SAIS
shortly through your email. Please complete the survey at your convenience, but
it will only be open for 10-14 days. These surveys, along with strategic
planning at the school and trustee level, will provide valuable input as we
craft the school improvement plan that will take us to 2020.
All our fall athletic teams
are in full swing with their seasons. If you haven’t caught a game or match
yet, please support our young student athletes. They do an outstanding job
representing you and our school to the other members of the MAIS.
Finally, don’t forget our Annual Fund. The Annual Fund each year provides financial support for
additional equipment and supplies not covered by the Parents’ Club or the
regular tuition budget. Along with those purchases, the Annual Fund also
provides funding for the school’s endowment. Forty-five percent of all Annual Fund
donations go directly to the school’s endowment.
Again, I’m sorry for the
delay, as well as the lengthy update. As you can see, there is definitely a lot
going on. However, we do understand that our greatest priority is, and always
will be, providing a first-class education for your children.
It’s always a great day to be
a Chief!
#NJASBAF (Not Just A School But A Family)
