St. Teresa of Calcutta School adds new Information Center

During the 2015-16 school year, the administration at then Blessed Teresa of Calcutta School in Limerick Township committed to introducing a new space for information and communication for the 2016-17 school year.

Principal Anita Dixon explains the move: “We continue to meet the standards of the Archdiocesan Technology Guidelines and implement the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) guidelines; however, we knew that a more advanced program was our goal for St. Teresa of Calcutta School faculty and students.”

The plan was introduced to parents mid-year in a letter from Pastor Rev. Paul C. Brandt and was further explained at the annual State of the School presentation in May.

“We engaged a technology consultant and have been working with him to guide the design of this space to fulfill our vision for a combined environment of library and technology,” Fr. Brandt told parents.

Installation began at the close of the school year in June and is nearing completion for the opening of school in September.

According to Ms. Dixon, the move to an Information Center is a deliberate one.

“This model provides for the students a manner of research and practice which reflects the current levels of technology in our society.”

The timing coincides with the school’s move to the Google for Education Program’s — Google Classroom model.

Through traditional Google applications and specialized Google Education apps, the teacher and student resources expand well outside the confines of the classroom. Some of the benefits of this transition are streamlined collaboration for student, with each other and faculty as well as faculty collaboration with colleagues within and outside of the school. Virtual field trips, video conferenced guest speakers and students are just a few more of the many benefits of the Google classroom. The new information center is a major piece of the puzzle.

Ease of faculty review, commenting and advising during the student’s draft process is one of the many advantages that attracted teachers to the program. Five teachers are now trained as Google Educators, and the remaining faculty are working toward certification.

The new Information Center is located in the former computer lab and combines traditional resource materials as well as fiction and non-fiction books with modern technology.

• Individual Chromebook and iPad devices to be used in the Information Center room

• Mobility of additional devices for use in classrooms

• Integration of traditional library features of books and reference materials with today’s technology

• Increasing focus on Research

• Providing for information and communication technology literacy

• Books, computers and devices utilized together and individually across the curriculum

“Our commitment to the future of our school and our students is unwavering.” Ms. Dixon stated. “With the multitude of changes in technology and uses, our eyes are on the ever-evolving technology education best practices.”