Comments on: Armour School Parent Teachers Together

By: Renee

Renee — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:31:07 +0000

I just wanted to say that I think the laptop initiative is a good investment for our school for many reasons, but there is one reason that was not mentioned at the meeting. The reality is that since the implementation of open enrollment, parents and students are doing more “shopping around” for the best educational value, so we need to do everything we can to enhance our school. Who knows? If a family is waivering between two districts, the laptop initiative, the breakfast program, a school sponsored preschool program or an afterschool program may make the difference between that family choosing Armour or another school. These are only examples, of course. The point is, the more we can offer, the better. One other thing that I think that is important is to continue these types of dialogues, where we share information about the good things happening at AHS. We have to remember that we each hold a lot of power as far as promoting our school and our community. Word-of-mouth is valuable advertising, and we need to let others know what a great school system we have!

By: JF

JF — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:10:22 +0000

Providing a quality education does not come about by accident. It is the result of vision, leadership, planning, implementation and investment. This not only occurs on the national and state level, but most importantly, our local level. The global changes brought about by technology and information access have changed the learning landscape. In order to provide students a quality education, we must equip our students not only with the knowledge of reading, ‘riting & ‘rithmatic…but with the 21st Century skills our students need to thrive in the world beyond our high school doors.
January 2008, an update was given to the Legislature on the progress of the SD 2010 Education Initiative. If you have not read 2010, I highly recommend you do so. 2010 outlines the goals our students are expected to reach. You can access this at the SD Dept. of Educ. website: http://www.2010education.com/
One goal in the 21st Century High School Framework defines technology integration…that “all students have access to a personal computing device 24/7 or (to) implement the SD Classroom Connections Program”.
Other goals outline student learning expectations. Our students will be challenged through the use of learning tools such as personal learning plans, senior projects, accelerated learning courses, and virtual school. The method of instruction and course work that you & I remember, is not the classroom of today. Our classroom instruction and student expectations are evolving in response to the mandates set upon us by the Federal and State government to give our students the necessary learning tools and skills to succeed in the competitive global workplace. Some of these mandates come to your district with funding and some do not.
It is a tremendous challenge for your local district to provide the quality education our students deserve with the funding it receives. Your local district is working toward meeting the challenges of providing our students with a quality 21st Century education. John F Kennedy stated, “There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.”
Another 21st Century High School Framework goal speaks to Parental Involvement. The “high school provides means for Parental Involvement in addition to traditional parent-teacher conferences”. This Armour Parent Teachers Together team is for everyone…parents, grandparents, interested public. “Team means Together Everyone Achieves More!” This is one of many conduits you can access to help you equip the children of our community for the future. To quote a part of the Armour School Vision Statement: “An essential component of the school vision is the school/community connection. We view parents as friends and colleagues and together we appreciate the broad diversity in our community. Staff and parents will play a critical role in developing a school where children are successful and thriving.”
Do you have questions or concerns about your local school? Talk to school personnel and talk to your school board. Armour District 21-1 is a public school, funded by public money through Federal, State and Local taxes.
This information will hopefully clarify the functions of the Capital Outlay and General Fund.
Definition of Capital Outlay:
SDCL 13-16-9: Expenditure of money from capital outlay fund. Money can be expended from the capital outlay fund only for the purposes defined in § 13-16-6 and for the redemption of outstanding warrants against this fund.
SDCL 13-3-6: The capital outlay fund of the school district is a fund provided by law to meet expenditures which result in the acquisition or lease of or additions to real property, plant, or equipment. Such an expenditure shall be for land, existing facilities, improvement of grounds, construction of facilities, additions to facilities, remodeling of facilities, or for the purchase or lease of equipment. It may also be used for installment or lease-purchase payments for the purchase of real property, plant, or equipment, which have a contracted terminal date not exceeding twenty years from the date of the installment contract or lease-purchase and for the payment of the principal of and interest on capital outlay certificates.
A school district which contracts its student transportation may expend from the capital outlay fund an amount not to exceed fifteen percent of the contract amount. In addition, a school district which reimburses for mileage instead of providing transportation, may use the capital outlay fund to pay for fifteen percent of its mileage reimbursement costs.
The capital outlay fund may be used to purchase textbooks and instructional software.
The capital outlay fund may be used to purchase warranties on capital assets if the warranties do not include supplies.
Definition of General Fund:
SDCL 13-16-3: The general fund of the school district is a fund provided by law to meet all the operational costs of the school district, excluding capital outlay fund and special education fund expenditures…
Money cannot be moved from Capital Outlay Fund to General Fund:
SDCL 13-16-26.2: Transfer from general fund to capital outlay fund prohibited. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 13-16-26, no school district may transfer any funds, exclusive of federal funds, from the general fund to the capital outlay fund, bond redemption fund or the capital projects fund.

By: leay

leay — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:58:42 +0000

We once again had a informational, teaching meeting. I was happy to hear the explanation between capital outlay money and general fund. Many people do not realize that capital outlay money can not be spent on salaries, utilities etc. We need to help spread the word.
Once again we are reminded that our youth are in a different world than what many of us were raised. It is a world of technology and our student need to have every advantage we can give them to go out and face the world. As it was stated last night - this isn’t changing the teaching in a classroom - it is a tool to be used to enhance the learning experience of our students.

By: UNC#1

UNC#1 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:06:21 +0000

I think the Laptop initiative would be a great benefit to students. I won’t be here if Armour gets it but I know throughout highschool it would have made things alot easier. I am taking a physics in the mornings before school, and it would be nice to have a computer with me. I have to go all the way upstairs to get one. It is bad enough getting up an hour early. It would also teach kids responsibility. I think getting this would be a great thing for Armour.

By: MEKS

MEKS — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:30:49 +0000

I hope the meeting answered some questions and helped alleviate any issues/problems that parents had. It’s a big step, but it’s a necessary step to assure our kids the same advantages as those around the country. It’s the future. Our kids are leading the way and in some ways we are simply following the lead that they are setting with technology. That’s cool!!! Many questions will arise as the details are worked out! Many questions may not have immediate answers, but don’t be afraid to ask the questions. I’m proud of the fact that SD is leading the way in technology! We will all learn together in this endeavor!!