September 26, 2003

Dear HF-L Parents and Students,

I am pleased to inform you that our District is taking the next step in realizing our vision for teaching, learning and technology-digital learning efforts to increase student literacy and academic success using wireless technology.  At the September 23 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved a leasing agreement that will provide every student in grades 6, 7 and 8 with a laptop.

While our Middle School students will receive the new laptops, all HF-L students will benefit from the digital learning efforts to increase student literacy and academic success using wireless technology.  Broadband width will be increased for faster internet and network connection speed, aging hardware will be replaced, and peripherals will be updated throughout all of our schools.

Last year, the Middle School hosted a digital content study with much success. The valuable lessons we learned have helped us prepare to successfully expand one-to-one technology.  Now, with the support of the Board of Education and partnerships with Apple Computer and St. John Fisher College, we are financially ready to take this step. 

An implementation team of parents, staff, administrators and instructional technology coaches will oversee the timeline and strategies for rolling out the program.  The roll out of the laptops is expected to begin during second semester, and will be gradual to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for teachers, students and parents.  While we are certain to experience some challenges along the way, we recognize that overcoming each challenge will be a lesson learned, and will help us continue to improve our program. 

Documents to guide parents and students through technical processes are being developed and will be available to parents and posted on the District's website in the future.  Training for parents and students will also be held to help educate them on the program as well as technical issues they may incur, and strategies for the effective use of this tool for learning. 

The Board of Education and administration are dedicated to continuing to form new partnerships and to finding new opportunities for funding such as grants and donations so that we can continue to reduce the cost of the program and ensure its ongoing success in coming years.

The District has worked very hard to obtain up-to-date and capable technological resources that will allow our students to challenge the boundaries of time, location and space.  With these new tools, I hope that you and your children discover new and exciting learning opportunities in your homes. 

We will keep you updated on the progress of the digital learning efforts to increase student literacy and academic success using wireless technology in the coming months and look forward to embarking on this exciting next step with you.

                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                                               Diane E. Reed, Ed. D.

                                                                                                                                Superintendent of Schools