Smarter use of technology means more successful students

"It has really progressed."

That from educator Lorenzo DiCerbo in an update given to Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) administrators and trustees at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, regarding the use of the Learning Management System (LMS) in the Board's schools.

The computerized LMS is used by HSCDSB teachers to instruct and work with their students.

Students, teachers and parents are increasingly onboard with the system, in which teachers begin their classes with traditional classroom methods and then refer students, equipped with classroom computers, to the LMS system.

There, students can access on-line guides to help them complete their assignments. 

The equivalent of many textbooks can be stored electronically.

Assignments are then sent to the inbox on the teacher’s computer and graded, then sent back to the students.

Students may access information 24 hours a day, seven days a week with LMS, which is helpful to students who are absent from the classroom for an extended period of time due to illness, or if they are out of town, for instance, to participate in athletic tournaments.

Students can access information, such as their grades, or when assignments are due, at anytime through computers or a smart phone.

This is the third year the Huron-Superior Board had used LMS in its schools.

Describing LMS as a "Community Portal" for the Board to use, DiCerbo said HSCDSB principals are now also enjoying access to important information, such as what items are discussed at various educational conferences.

Of LMS, DiCerbo said: "It's a safe and secure virtual presence…an internationally recognized top-notch system."

In other HSCDSB matters discussed Tuesday, the Board was informed that Director of Education John Stadnyk had sent a letter, dated October 31, to parents and guardians of students enrolled at St. John and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary Schools that matters were progressing well regarding the consolidation of those two schools.

The Huron-Superior Board passed a resolution in the spring to consolidate the two schools, based on declining enrolment at the two sites, and the cost of repairing and renovating St. John School.

St. John will close, and the renovated Our Lady of Lourdes will be able to accommodate a projected number of 310 students for the 2014-2015 school year.

Stadnyk's letter stated that Catholic School Councils, staffs, students and parents involved with both schools will be asked to help coordinate consolidation, noting that some aspects are already being planned, such as school mass, open houses and play days.

Questions regarding school start times, transportation for students, athletic activities and many other consolidation issues will be dealt with in a handout and parent information meeting in the spring.