On Tuesday, May 21st the School Board voted to approve Phase 1 of the Technology Committee’s Technology Improvement Plan.  This plan has been developed by teachers and administrators with the needs of the classroom being put first.  With this approval Phase 1 calls for:

1. WiFi to be provided for every classroom and common area in all schools and district facilities.
2. Migration away from Novell based services to Microsoft based services.  This will allow us much greater flexibility for hardware and software and allow us to finally move beyond Windows XP!
3. A new teacher computer (Desktop or Laptop, models TBD) for every teacher as well as upgrades to all staff computers.
4. A move away from Zimbra mail and Calendar services to Google Apps for Education.  This will allow for us to keep our current email addresses and enjoy a whole host of new and powerful tools and to maintain highly controlled student email accounts.
5. Classroom Presentation hardware in every classroom.  This will be determined by each site and could include SmartBoards, Projectors, Document Cameras, and Apple TV's.
6. New Computer labs in every school.  Each school will get at least one new lab that will be Smarter Balanced compliant in readiness for Common Core assessment.  Secondary schools will get labs based on their curricular needs.
7. 1 to 1 pilot implementation.  40 classes throughout the district (at least 1 per elementary school, and creatively in secondary) will select an approved device and be responsible to implement that into the learning process of that class. 

This represents Phase 1 of a 3 phase plan that  moves our district into a sustainable cycle of technological relevance.  We intend to achieve the Superintendent’s idea of becoming “School’s of Tomorrow,” by becoming a one- to- one mobile device school district by the end of 2015-2016 school year.  

The funding for the implementation of Phase 1 of the Technology Improvement Plan will come from our Measure C4 bond.  Our Board approved an allocation of $7,868,857.00 for this implementation.  Funding sources for Phases 2 and 3 will be identified next year.

This is exciting news for our students, our teachers and support staff and our district.  The Technology Committee worked diligently to develop this vision and to take the necessary steps to make this a reality.  The Board recognizes and supports the vision and is committed to helping us move forward.

Come eat lunch, run, jump, and play with your friends this summer!

The Simi Valley Unified School District will serve free meals to children during the summer. There is no income requirement or registration. Any child under age 18 may come to eat.

Please click on attached file for more information.