Investing in Educational Technology to Optimize Learning 

THURSDAY, JAN. 19, 2023

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lot of laptops – 2,500 to be exact – have been optimized for learning and are now making the journey across the region and into Grand Erie classrooms. From there, the possibilities are endless in terms of how they’ll be put to use to unlock imagination, inspiration and connection for learners and educators. 

The purchase of additional laptops was made possible by the board’s recently revised budget for the 2022-23 school year, and the commitment to up-to-date technology aligns with strategic priorities related to learning and accessibility. It also closes the gap in terms of student-to-device ratios, ensuring students can use tech more often to personalize learning, explore interests and gain skills they’ll use throughout their school years, and beyond. 

Lots of work goes on behind the scenes to make sure classrooms are ready for the future and supported in their use of tech; the Information Technology Services team had the task of imaging, tagging and adding the Grand Erie asset management system to each of the HP ProBooks with touchscreen technology before they were deployed. The team is also instrumental in keeping learning with technology safe, secure and accessible to all. 

Grand Erie is in the second year of its multi-year strategic plan, and the additional investments in technology, as well as hands-on resources including books to refresh library collections, math manipulatives and literacy materials, goes a long way to realizing the vision to learn, lead and inspire.

Happy “new year”! I hope everyone had a pleasant summer holiday. It’s been nice to talk to students and parents this week about all the things you’ve done over the past two months. I’ve heard lots of stories of fun trips and relaxation. I’ve also heard a few about some more stressful experiences that life seems to always present. Whatever the past 2 months brought for you, I’m looking forward to working together again as a Boston School Family to support each other. September brings the opportunity for fresh starts and lots of reason for optimism. Each and every student is full of potential, and on a pathway that is their own unique success story (always in progress)!

This year you’ll notice that the staff is mostly the same with a few exceptions. Mrs. Huffman is off this year with her new baby. We would like to welcome Ms. Agius, who has joined us to teach the 3/4 class. We are excited to have her back as part of the Boston team! We would also like to welcome Mrs. Trembley as our new custodian. We are all in good hands with her making sure the building is in good shape!

On the first day, we had a Welcome-Back Assembly in which we committed to two very simple things this year: 1) We will always do our best

2) We will always be kind

I believe those two simple statements can guide every decision we make every day, and I’ve asked every Blazer to consider them when they are making choices.

Once again, welcome to a new school year. It’s good to be back!