Battle Ground Public Schools

2013–14 ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT | 9 BGPS Technology Initiative Over the past three years, Battle Ground's Technology Department has implemented an initiative to upgrade the wireless technology throughout the district and put the best mobile technology into the hands of students and teachers. All schools in the district are using mobile technology like Google Chromebooks and iPads to support student learning. Many of the schools have received donations from PTA organizations and private donors over the past several years that have supplied these devices to students and staff for classroom learning. e Technology Department, with support from levy dollars, recently purchased and distributed an additional 480 iPads to teachers in the district who currently do not have a mobile device. ese devices were coupled with staff training allowing the maximum use of technology in the classroom. For years teachers have been using desktop computers and have had limited access to laptops in the classroom. Integrating mobile devices allows teachers to break from their desk and use new technology in the classroom with students, increasing learning opportunities, and allowing the teacher to meet the specific needs of each student. e decision to make the transition from laptops to tablets came from the district's Technology Committee made up of administrators, teachers, staff and parents. In addition to new technology in the classroom, teacher cohorts are being trained to use online tools such as Google Apps for Education that allows teachers to streamline lessons, create websites, and provide online support for student learning. e District is also conducting a pilot study of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), a teaching method where students use personal mobile technology in the classroom. With the expansion of wireless technology and increased use of mobile devices throughout the district, questions may arise in regard to Internet safety and appropriate classroom use. Safety is always a primary concern in the district and our Technology Department has expanded the wireless infrastructure to provide greater safety to our students through reliable Internet filtering that blocks inappropriate websites and content. In combination with better filtering systems, teachers are able to take advantage of their mobile device and move freely around the classroom keeping students focused and on track. Security Facts Did you know... ■ BGPS has one of the most extensive school based security camera systems in Clark County? ■ BGPS has mobile access to security cameras in every building? ■ BGPS recently received an $80,000 OSPI grant to support emergency response systems. ese new systems will decrease the time it takes for police and other first responders to arrive and react to incidents at schools. ■ anks to a $7,200 grant from the Quinn Driscol Foundation all buildings now have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). (e grant purchased 4 more AEDs plus training) ■ 2013-14 has seen an increased focus on staff training including AED/CPR/ FirstAid, earthquake and lockdown drills, positive interventions, and security personnel trainings. Making Old Again

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