Technology

Download the Harbor Springs Public School Student Computer and Technology Use Policy.

Harbor Springs Public Schools Technology Plan 2006-2009

The following is an excerpt from the Harbor Springs Public Schools Technology Plan 2006-2009. Download the entire document here.

Harbor Springs Public Schools launched an ongoing Strategic Technology Planning process in 1991. The process committed HSPS to building a technology infrastructure that would best support learning and teaching. This infrastructure focuses on using both quality hardware and software. It also requires continuous attention to research, upgrades, staff development and support. The HSPS Staff, administration, community members and parents have worked hard to ensure that all students will
have access to the most current technology equipment, instruction and resources.
The Harbor Springs School District is working toward achieving high results for all students. Desired results include:

• 100% of our graduates will earn a State-endorsed diploma
• 100% of our students will exhibit the district’s outcomes at designated achievement levels
• 100% of our students, within six months after graduation, will be either placed in entry level or higher employment positions, enrolled in an institution of higher learning, or in an advanced training program
• The community will be involved in the district’s educational process,
  events, and/or committees.
• 100% of the students and staff will perceive the environment in our school system as safe, nurturing, and intellectually stimulating

Mission Statement
The Harbor Springs Public Schools are committed to providing a positive learning environment and a purposeful, diversified educational program designed to require that all students develop and demonstrate the skills necessary to be life long learners and productive citizens.

In order to support the District Mission, the major objectives of the technology plan are:

• We believe that we can use technology to help make our learning environment a more positive experience.
• We believe that technology will allow access to a diversified base of
  information.
• We believe that technology will allow students to more richly
  express their talents and skills.
• We believe that technology will help our students develop information gathering skills that will carry over into life-long activities.

School Information
Description and demographic data
Harbor Springs Public Schools, with 1125 students and 70 teachers, is located in Harbor Springs MI, which is near Lake Michigan in the Northwest lower peninsula of Michigan. The district consists of 4 distinct physical buildings.

• Blackbird Elementary (K-2)
  421 East Lake St.
• Shay Elementary (3-5)
  175 East Lake St.
• Harbor Springs Middle School (6-8)
  800 South State Road
• Harbor Springs High School (9-12)
  327 East Bluff Dr.

Vision & Goals
Vision
Our vision is to provide our students with sufficient technology and technological skills to allow them to become the life-long learners and productive citizens as described by our schools district mission statement.
In addition, HSPS will:

1. Provide all students with equal access to a full range of information
   resources.
2. Integrate technology into the learning process of every student.
3. Incorporate Core Curriculum Technology Outcomes as defined by the State of Michigan.
4. Invest in the technology necessary to graduate competitive, technologically literate students.

Goals - Broad Based / General
HSPS will use technology to facilitate known characteristics of an
effective learning environment including:

1. Supporting teachers in their role as a facilitator of learning
2. Making technology an integral and inseparable part of the classroom environment, both physically and based on the curriculum.
3. To foster positive attitudes and perceptions by students about learning.
4. Shifting an emphasis to active, constructivist learning from passive, transmission learning.
5. Promoting, extending, and refining knowledge of higher order cognitive skills.
6. Creating meaningful experiences for students to apply knowledge.
7. Fostering productive habits of mind such as persistence, accuracy, using feedback, creativity and thinking rationally.