SVRTC 2023- 2024 School Year: Opening Meeting

The opening meeting for the SVRTC 2023-204 school year was held at Longwood University and was attended by 26 people, including those from 13 SVRTC school divisions: Amelia County Public Schools, Buckingham County Public Schools, Brunswick County Public Schools, Colonial Heights Public Schools, Cumberland County Public Schools, Danville Public Schools, Lunenburg County Public Schools, Greensville County Public Schools, Nottoway County Public Schools, Petersburg Public Schools, Prince Edward County Public Schools, Prince George County Public Schools, and Henry County Public Schools.

The meeting had two programs. The first program was presented by Deidre Holmberg from Amazon Web Services (AWS) on their Spark program. Ms. Holmberg explained the AWS Spark program is a free online program designed by teachers to provide school systems with cloud-focused content, tools, and resources. Geared for age 13 and up, the program curriculum is meant to foster student interest in future career cloud computing fields. Each of the units were designed to show students many ways cloud technology is infused into our everyday lives which includes areas like healthcare and sports. Ms. Holmberg said that AWS is working with the Virginia Department of Education to make the different units SOL-friendly for Virginia educators.

Next, Britney Garritano from Vivacity, presented on technology hardware and programs for schools with competitive pricing. Ms. Garritano mentioned that the most competitive prices where on Chromebook bundles. They also offer different types of technology and case options to help school systems maintain their computers. Ms. Garritano also explained to members that Vivacity also offers a Student Repair Academy. Student Repair Academy is an online self-paced learning program that provides students with the knowledge and technical skills they need to operate a student-led repair center for school systems computers. The meeting ended with members winning door prizes provided by Vivacity, as well as enjoying lunch with new and returning SVRTC members.

SVRTC Meets for Division Strategic Planning

During the months of March and April, SVRTC divisions were invited to participate in strategic planning sessions for their division regarding their school technology. Since the increase of devices in divisions and many 1:1 computing environments, there is a need to strategically address sustaining the model (e.g., device collection, break/fix, infrastructure, security, budgeting, etc.). The workshop series was attended by participants from 13 SVRTC school divisions (Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Danville, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Petersburg, Pittsylvania, and Sussex).

Dr. Tara Nattrass, currently serving as Senior Education Strategist at Dell Technologies, led the two planning sessions through various activities to help eliminate opportunity gaps and ensure engaged, meaningful, healthy, safe, and supportive digital learning environments. In the first session (March, 2, 2023), participants worked with their colleagues to identify their desired vision for technology and assess the reality of current technologies in divisions. Teams from divisions were challenged with creating action steps with metrics and implementation plans.

In the second session (April 26, 2023), teams from divisions returned to participate in activities and reflections with the leadership of Dr. Nattrass. This session focused on developing or refining an implementation plan that focused on the sustainability of these 1:1 computing environments. The session also addressed the impacts of computing in regard to digital acceleration (e.g., ‘going viral’) and workforce trends. Dr. Nattrass also facilitated a Q&A session with Timothy Ampy, Director of Technology, Dinwiddie County Public Schools (the recipient of the SVRTC Division Leadership 2022-2023 award). This provided an opportunity for additional discourse around the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of 1:1 implementations, which fostered the final activities on implementation plans that included areas of focus (device management, teaching and learning, etc.).

Dr. Nattrass’ presentations and work sessions in strategic planning were also supported by Dr. Susan Clair, Learning Infrastructure Coordinator – Virginia Department of Education, who also attend both work sessions and participated in the presentations and activities. Drs. Nattrass and Clair will continue to be an asset to SVRTC divisions as strategic planning is put in place and implemented for the increased number of devices in our divisions due to pandemic funding.

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