Using 21st Century Technology - My Vision for Williams Middle

The start of a new school year is an ideal time to reflect upon what has taken place in the previous year(s) and of course to devise a vision for the new year. This summer, I had the pleasure of participating in an online course, Using Google to become a 21st Century Administrator. As a result, I am more empowered than ever to employ innovative technologies at Williams!

With that being said, I offer the following:

School-wide Technology Goal: Using 21st Century technology, Williams Middle School will reduce the use of paper copies by 50%, thereby saving money and time while eliminating wastes.

Purpose: This goal will allow students to be exposed to 21st Century Technologies that will prepare them for high school, college, the workforce and beyond.

Action Plan:

1. Teachers will use Moodle to complete lessons plans, post assignments, communicate with parents and students and to give additional online resources.
2. Google Calendar will be used to post important dates and reminders. Google Calendar will be accessed by a link on the school website.
3. Google Blogger will be used for school-wide announcements and to give details that are too lengthy for the calendar feature. The blog, Principal's Corner, will be the primary source for this action.
4. Google Docs will be used for teacher, staff and parent communication and collaboration. This tool will also be used (along with Moodle) for vertical teaming by middle school and elementary teachers.
5. School technology leaders will set up a Global Studio to be used for distance learning. Students will use Skype and podcasting as part of this innovative and interactive learning environment.

Time Frame: Implementation will begin immediately with quarterly benchmarks used to monitor progress. All items listed in the Action Plan will be implemented by February 2012.

Side Note - Character education will focus on tolerance and being good digital citizens.

These are lofty goals and actions and they will certainly require collaboration with students, parents and teachers. I'm excited and looking forward to this challenge!

Welcome New Families!

As our Summer Break comes to close I want to welcome all of our new families to Williams Middle School!  We are so excited to have the opportunity to serve you and look forward to getting to know you in the coming months.  I know that you may have many questions and concerns and if you are joining us from Providence Middle School I want to reassure you and provide answers to you in a timely manner.  To that end, I will use this Blog and our school website for frequent updates.  Right now, I want to give you some important dates.  We will have Open Registration Monday-Thursday of next week (July 25-28) from 8:30-2pm.  Our New Student Orientation and PTSA Open House will take place on the evening of Thursday August 4th.  More information about the specific times and location will be provided during registration.  Our Uniform Policy is posted on our website and we will have a Uniform Consignment sale during our Open House.  Also, keep in mind that there will be a tax-holiday again this year during the weekend of August 5th.  Educational Outfitters in Madison is our preferred vendor and I encourage you to visit them soon!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at abwilliams@hsv.k12.al.us.  I will get back to you within 24 hours.  Our office phone number is 256-428-7330.  I apologize in advance if your call is not answered immediately, as we do have limited summer staffing.  Again welcome and Go Hawks!

Happy Independence Day!!

"Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die." ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!  God bless you and your families and a special blessing to our men and women in uniform and their families.  Take some time to enjoy yourself on this great day but remember that freedom is not free!

Football Summer Conditioning

We are currently having summer conditioning and it’s not too late if you want to join in. It takes place from 8:30-10:30am on Tue, Wed and Thur for the remainder of this month and then picking up again after the 4th of July. Contact Coach Winston for more information at 256-520-0048. We hope to see you out and have a great summer! Go Hawks!!!

Williams Middle is Going Paperless!

Yes, you read that correctly but please do not be alarmed.  This will happen in phases and we will certainly keep you involved and informed in the process.  I think most of you would agree that sending paperwork home with middle schools is one of the LEAST effective methods of communicating with parents.  Therefore, we will use Moodle, Google Calendar, Google Docs and of course email and our school website rather than paper copies home for many of our reminders and notices.  We will also continue to use School Cast and I encourage parents to access the Parent Portal that School Cast offers.  Now if all of this is Greek to you, please do not worry!  Details will be given at our Open House on August 4th and of course throughout the school year.  In the meantime you can go online and find out more information about any of the above mentioned tools (just Google or Bing them!).  Let me know your thoughts.  Continue to have a safe and productive summer!

Marbury Technology Innovation Award

Great news! I was selected for the Alabama 2011 Marbury Technology Innovation Award in the School Administrator category! I am very excited and honored to have been nominated by my assistant principal and would be extremely honored if you are able to attend the awards presentation on Wednesday June 15th at 8am at the BJCC in Birmingham during the Alabama Educational Technology Conference.

Each year one state award is presented in each of the following categories:

• Elementary School Teacher
• Middle School Teacher
• High School Teacher
• School Administrator
• System Technology Coordinator
• Central Office

Nominees are judged based upon the following five criteria: Innovation and Creativity, Impact on Teaching and Learning, Leadership, Teamwork, and Scholarship. The award panel rated my attribute scores at the highest level of excellence in each criteria area.  I am honored and humbled by this and it also inspires me to continue to seek innovative ideas to challenge our students!  They deserve it and will need it in order to be prepared for the 21st Century Workforce.  Go Hawks!!

Summer Registration

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer thus far. Please be safe in this summer heat!

If you were unable to take advantage of our Early Registration, then please join us for Summer Registration on June 7th and 8th from 9am to 2pm. If you are new to us then please be sure to bring the required documents for registration: proof of residence, SS card, and your child's Alabama blue immunization card. Late registration will begin on July 21st. If your child has applied for our Technology Magnet Program and you have not received an acceptance letter, please email our guidance counselor, Dr. Grimaud, at ggrimaud@hsv.k12.al.us. If you have any questions call the office or email me at abwilliams@hsv.k12.al.us. Hope to see you soon and stay cool!