New Technology for a New School Year

When Shorewood students arrive in their classrooms for the new school year in a few weeks, they will be greeted by several changes, upgrades and improvements to the district’s technology infrastructure. 

During the summer months, in addition to the standard projects of updating software and performing usual hardware maintenance, the district’s technology staff has been hard at work improving access and support for district technology. 

The largest change made was in Shorewood’s technology support plan and team. In an effort to reduce costs and improve services, the district recently switched to Source Once Technology as Shorewood’s network partner. With the savings gained following the switch, the district increased the internal support team as well as the wireless bandwidth between buildings from 10 mg to 700 mg – all without any increase in costs.

“Technology has become an important part of education in the 21st century,” Shorewood Technology Director Connie Jaeger said. “We are thrilled to be able to provide our students with the tools and skills necessary for success well into the future.”

The district is also in the process of implementing a managed wireless network at Shorewood Intermediate School, Atwater and Lake Bluff. This project is currently one year ahead of schedule and coming in well under projected costs, Jaeger added.

In addition to the network updates and upgrades, the district also worked with other community partners to purchase new mobile computer carts for each school, installed additional interactive whiteboards (SMART Boards) and supported upgrades to the technology available in the district band program.

SEED, for example, donated more than $63,000 for mobile computer labs at each school, as well as grants for new iMac computers at SHS to enhance the school’s Instrumental Music Program through Smart Technology. 

The Shorewood Foundation donated $5,660 designated for SMART Boards in band rooms at Atwater and Lake Bluff as well as audio equipment for the K-12 band program. Finally, the Shorewood Band Parents Association also donated more than $4,800 for music technology.