Portsmouth
Schools 
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TECHNOLOGY The School Department is engaged in a multi-year plan to computerize the system and to make full use of various instructional technologies. Elementary Schools:
Administrative software at this level includes Microsoft Office and Osiris, a student management system.
Middle School At the Middle School, we have three computer labs. In 1993 and 1994 the Champlin Foundations provided funds to install a 23 station lab with one multimedia station. The lab is used primarily for computer literacy classes. One of the labs is a specialized Life Skills/Writing Lab. The major objective of the lab is to provide computer-aided instruction in English and Math to at-risk students. In 1994 the school department started a distributed system for computers. Five computers were networked in each fifth grade classroom via a token ring network. This network provides for the continuation of the Writing to Write program and access to Math, Science and Multimedia student project software. In 1995 the distributed network was expanded to the sixth grade via an ethernet network. This gave them access to all the software on the fifth grade computer system. Social Studies software was added to the system as well as a process writing package. Each classroom again has five computers and a printer. From this point on, all installations at the Middle School have been connected to the ethernet network. The next addition in the Middle School extended the distributed network to the seventh and eighth grade wing. Each learning center has five computers, one of which is a multimedia station. Also provided, were multimedia computers for the co-curricular classrooms. The 1996 installation also provided a new networked Pentium lab for the seventh and eighth grade language arts classes. During the 1997-98 school year, the networking of all areas was completed and a router for access by most workstations to the Internet was installed. In 1998 the token ring network was replaced by ethernet. The teachers throughout the Middle School have access to teacher applications for word processing, publishing, grading and spreadsheets. The Administrative network which ties together the main office, house clerks, guidance and health uses the Osiris software in addition to Microsoft Office.
Portsmouth High School The High School has been completely rewired for networking and equipment replaced over the past four years. Seven labs provide direct instruction to students in writing, basic skills, computer applications and computer programming. In addition, all classrooms have been wired and most have a teacher workstation with a large screen monitor. Software on the file servers is available to all workstations. Included are programming languages, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, presentation software, desktop publishing and computerized drafting. Two CD-ROM towers are used to house additional software that can be accessed from all workstations. A major addition to the school-wide network this year was the computerized library collection. The collection now can be searched from most workstations, not just those in the Library. Students at some workstations also have access to the Guidance Information System and EXPAN. Both programs provide career guidance and college information. Internet access is also available at all workstations through a router connected to the file servers and a dedicated high speed telephone line. An administrative network using Osiris software connects administrators, office staff, guidance personnel and the school nurse.
Administration The School Administration Building has its own Windows NT network with twelve workstations. Office 97 is used as the basic suite of software. Phoenix System software is used for accounts payable and receivable, budget preparation, payroll and personnel. Edulog is used as the transportation software package. Presently, Portsmouth is a pilot district for Coopers & Lybrand In$ite statewide expenditure reporting program. Access to the internet is via a router. Future Plans The Joint Educational Technology Team's report, Planning Technology for the 21st Century, was revised and accepted by the School Committee in January of 1998. It sets the short and long-term goals for the system in the area of technology. A lengthy process has been undertaken to preview and select appropriate software for specific subject areas at grade levels. All of the teachers have had the opportunity to be a part of the software selection process. As technology has been added to each grade level, in-depth workshops have been provided for teachers. Training sessions have been made available to all teachers and will continue to be offered as technology is ever evolving. The short-range plan calls for the development of a wide area network connecting the five schools in Portsmouth with the Administration Building. All token ring wiring and network cards will be replaced with ethernet. Resources then can be easily shared between buildings. Additional equipment and software will be purchased for under-served areas. |
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