Technology
We are proud to announce that, due to generous financial and professional support from our Saint Peter the Apostle family, the technology infrastructure at our parish and school has gone through a significant transformation in 2010.
The network architecture at St. Peter's has been completely upgraded. Our parish and school now utilize Cisco Systems Gigabit Ethernet network architecture for both wired and wireless networks. This Local Area Network provides a fast and reliable foundation for all computing systems on the entire Saint Peter the Apostle campus.
These new developments allow the school faculty, under the guidance of our dedicated administration, to develop lesson plans with technology support in the classroom. To protect our resources and students, the Saint Peter the Apostle LAN is protected by multiple firewalls, as well as SPAM, Virus, and Content Filters. Our primary goal is to develop uses for technology at all grade levels, so that students use technology as a learning tool in a variety of subject areas and service environments.
Furthermore, all aspects of the Saint Peter the Apostle Computer Lab have been upgraded as well. Twenty-six new Hewlett Packard Personal Computers, with the latest Microsoft Windows Operating System and Microsoft Office programs, have been installed. The Computer Lab is also equipped with the Smart Board system-an educational tool unprecedented in reaching the visual, auditory, and tactile learner alike. This system enables Jeff Robinson, our Technology Director, to lead our faculty in incorporating technology into all areas of study.
Though Saint Peter the Apostle is fortunate to have the Smart Board system in nearly every classroom, our technology progression does not stop there. Our classroom educators now have a personal computer that the students can utilize to perform research on the internet, and take accelerated reader tests. Students in the elementary grades now use programs in math, spelling, word recognition, reading comprehension, science, and social studies without leaving the classroom.
Technology also supports the parish administration, and contributes to the positive community atmosphere at St. Peter's. Information regarding significant administrative, school and church events is now easily accessible on the Saint Peter the Apostle Website. Our website is not only the communication link within our campus, but with our community as well. Features include class pages, curriculum information, schedules and resource links.
Finally, Saint Peter the Apostle recently purchased the Parish Data System application. This application will centralize parish and school information, making the data accessible and useful to school and parish faculty and staff. Effective use of the Parish Data Systems will permit consolidation of over five different databases, not only allowing for immediate corrections, but reducing replication of data as well.
Technology is a powerful instructional medium. Our students must be educated to use the latest advanced technology tools. At Saint Peter the Apostle, students can now optimally use technology to supplement instruction and explore new areas of information. By encouraging the ever changing integration of technology, the Saint Peter the Apostle community can promote the value of technology as a tool for learning-now available to all of our students. Interdependent and responsible use of advances in technology will allow our students to be leaders, not only in the present, but in our future as well.
Many thanks for your support in this tremendous effort.
