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The
Cass City Chronicle is published every
Wednesday.
John Haire, Publisher
Rawson
Memorial
District
Library
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More distance learning on
agenda for O-G pupils
Owen-Gage School officials are gearing up to offer students an expanded curriculum of advanced courses without hiring a single teacher.
The Owen-Gage Board of Education last week received an update on the purchase of equipment to provide more distance learning options for the district’s students beginning next fall.
“We’re looking at expanding into more distance learning as well as ‘virtual experience learning’ opportunities,” said Owen-Gage Supt. Dana Compton. Towards that end, he added, school officials have used a $55,000 USDA grant to purchase 25 laptop computers.
Compton pointed out that Owen-Gage students have already been exposed to virtual learning experiences, such as taking advanced language or science classes, through the Michigan Virtual High School
(MVHS).
MVHS is an online resource that enables Michigan high schools and middle schools to provide courses, all taught by certified teachers, and other learning tools that students wouldn’t otherwise have access to. Funded by the Michigan Legislature in July 2000 to be operated by the Michigan Virtual University, a private, not-for-profit Michigan corporation, MVHS enables students to take a variety of classes provided they have a computer and Internet access.
“This (project) will also expand into some interactive,” said Compton, who noted that with virtual learning, students complete courses and receive feedback, but with interactive learning, the experience involves 2-way communication with a teacher and students located in other school districts.
“The virtual is more self-directed and it is delayed time. Interactive distance learning is ‘real time’ stuff. You have a face-to-face instructor and student relationship. It’s traditional classroom, real time,” Compton explained.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
In other business during the monthly meeting, the board:
•Approved probationary teaching contracts for Ricky Behm (third year, high school/middle school math), Teresa Deering (second year, high school/middle school science) and Sandy Carriveau (second year, elementary special education). In addition, the board approved a continuation of a shared teaching contract with North Huron Schools in which the districts share foreign language teacher Steve McIntosh.
•Hired Dawn Radabaugh to serve as an assistant cook.
•Hired Scott Kelly for a permanent maintenance/custodial position. Kelly was initially brought in on a contractual basis following the retirement of longtime maintenance chief Moe Winchester.
•Approved the purchase of a new K-5 science textbook series at a cost of about $5,300.
•Discussed further but to no action on a proposal to make district facilities a “tobacco free zone” 24/7. Currently, smoking is allowed outdoors only after school hours.
“We had a presentation from the county health department and we’re taking it under consideration for 2008-09,” said Compton, who added he believes the proposed policy is a very good one, but there are questions about enforcing the new rules.
•Endorsed the Huron Intermediate School District (HISD) budget as presented by HISD Supt. Bob Colby.
•Named board member Deborah Quick as Owen-Gage’s “Friend of Youth” representative at the Thumb Meet of Champs in
Caro. Quick spearheaded organization of the district’s Palace Fundraising Organization and serves as its coordinator and secretary. The group has raised thousands of dollars for extracurricular and athletic school activities, including new uniforms and equipment, band trips and instruments, field trips and playground equipment.
•Approved the nomination of Eric Zaleski as the Owen-Gage “Senior Student of the Month” for April.
•Approved a fourth/fifth grade overnight trip to Camp Tamarack in early June, and a band trip to Cedar Point later this month.
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