It is my pleasure to welcome you to another new school year. I am very excited about the direction that our educational programs are heading and the benefits our students will be able to take advantage of this school year. Our major focus this year will continue to be promoting high student achievement. We are building our curriculum towards that goal by continuing to integrate the new math technology via Compass Learning in the primary and middle grades and we always focus on strengthening our reading program. Our goal is to have all our students achieve at or above mastery level. Throughout the year, we will continue to evaluate programs and identify more ways to expand our curriculum offerings to meet all students' needs.  

The school district is continuing to incorporate all aspects of technology into our daily operations. Each school is asking parents for email addresses so we can send you information electronically rather than stuffing paper in backpacks. Check your school's web site or Facebook page for the latest information and announcements about upcoming events and school specific activities. Teachers will be using the parent portal via Skyward to communicate with parents. High school and middle school parents are encouraged to explore the benefits of "My Big Campus" as we continue to expand the connectivity between home and school. 

Each school's administrative office is open to assist you with questions or concerns about your child's program or classes for this school year. If you have questions, please feel free to stop in during normal business hours. If a phone call will do, each school can be contacted either by calling the school directly or through our district phone system. Call 765-482-0380 to access the corporation wide contact system. I would encourage every parent to make a special effort this year to meet your child's teacher and the building principal. I know they would look forward to the opportunity to meet "Mom or Dad" personally. If you are just looking for a good cup of coffee and want to spend a few minutes with the Superintendent please give me a call and we can set up a time that is good for you to stop by the Administration Center.

Throughout the Lebanon Community School Corporation, we have an outstanding team of educators who are not only highly qualified and prepared in their subject areas, but sincerely care about and are dedicated to ALL students. The teaching staff at every LCSC school wants to challenge your child intellectually, assist you in their social development, and guide them toward independent thinking and problem solving to best of their abilities. As we strive to promote positive developments in all aspects of each student's life, we also strive to develop students who make good choices and decisions resulting in successful and healthy outcomes. We encourage students to always do their personal best every moment of everyday and to make positive contributions to the classroom, school groups, team sports and organizations to which they belong. I would encourage each parent and family member to work with your child's teacher to help us achieve the goal of developing a productive member of our schools, our community and our society.

One of the biggest factors in the overall success of students and our district will always be our ability to work in partnership with our parents and family members. We live in an amazingly giving and caring school community; we have so much to be thankful for! We hope you feel welcome in our schools and that you will take advantage of opportunities to become involved, to learn more about us and to be a part of the many activities that are taking place here at LCSC.

Welcome to what I hope will be the best year of your child's educational experience.

Apple MacBook Air Deployment

April 14, 2009, Lebanon High School started a gradual shift toward digital media replacing textbooks. The eventual goal should always be just over the horizon; but we will check off one benchmark in August of 2013 when LHS students picked up the Apple MacBook that will be one of the main tools used in their LHS educational career. This benchmark is commendable and a major accomplishment, but these computers will be a hindrance to the instructional environment if we stop looking and moving forward. LHS Administrators continue to focus their planning energy on faculty training, curriculum modifications, and faculty evaluation meant to guide instruction.

The technology tool should not be center of attention

Information Technology staff members have focused their energy on functionality of these computers. The focus now shifts toward preventative measures, not just repair. When the computer works, it is simply a pane of glass used to create or access information. The tool becomes the center of attention when it fails to perform as expected. The IT Department's goal is to keep the technology from being the center of attention by preventing large-scale failures.

AppleCare Support Team

At this transition, the IT Department focus will shift from planning to management. It would be impossible to hire full-time paid staff to manage every problem so schools who successfully implement a student laptop program train students to provide the first level of student support and training. At LHS, this support team is referred to as The AppleCare Team. Two or three of the students will man the AppleCare Center each class period. While not assisting students with problems, the AppleCare students will study and prepare to take the two tests required for the Apple Certified Macintosh Technician Certification. The AppleCare class will be taught by Mr. Wade Thatcher.

You break it you buy it

A lot of time has been put to research the potential liability this deployment will put on LCSC and individual parents. The pitfalls are significant, but a few decisions have been made to mitigate liability on both sides. LCSC has included a carrying case with each laptop and has implemented rules governing the student actions with their MacBook. For example, students are not to carry the laptop without putting it in the case. Additionally, to keep risk of liquid spillage to a minimum, students will not be allowed to use the MacBook in the cafeteria.

Based on our research, even with these small safeguards, 10% of the screens will likely get broken when a student leaves their ink pen or ear-bud on the keyboard and closes the screen. This damaged screen will cost around $300 to repair and that cost is the responsibility of the parent/student. Parents might elect to reduce their liability by purchasing an individual laptop insurance policy. Many individuals would prefer to take the risk and go without damage insurance so LCSC does not require you to purchase insurance. We just want you to understand your decision and the potential cost to you.

• Even if the parent has insured the laptop, LCSC must pursue the parent for payment for damage.

• The parent will be responsible for submitting claims to the insurance provider.

• If you wish to lower your potential risk for a damaged screen or other damage then you can investigate an individual laptop insurance policy like the version provided by Worth Avenue Group through their web site here.

• You can also investigate other options from your insurance provider. LCSC maintains ownership of the laptop, you are renting it. The value of the laptop and case is $920. I have found insurance company choices vary greatly. Most importantly, make sure anything that you choose covers the damage, like a broken screen or liquid damage.