Staff writer
As the world continues to operate in a technology-driven way, so too does Marion-Florence USD 408.
Marion High School art and technology teacher Jim Versch began the district’s web page in 2001, and, with some help, continues it today.
The site has everything from daily announcements to links to help students with homework.
All three schools in the district have information on the site, as well as the district office itself.
Versch decided the district could benefit from a web site after taking a course through the TEEN network, known then as ITV.
Mike Fruechting, who currently is the district technology coordinator, was working on the City of Marion’s web page at the time. Versch asked him if he could help with the start-up of the USD 408 site.
The site launched in October 2001.
“It actually was more detailed then with a lot of links and pull downs,” Versch said. “Then we started simplifying.”
It’s not that the site today doesn’t have as much information, but it is more user friendly without all the bells and whistles, Versch said.
It loads much faster today, allowing students, teachers, parents, or anyone else to navigate quickly through the site.
Power School
While anyone interested in seeing sports rosters and results, pictures of activities, or any other form of entertainment can do so, the site also provides parents with educational information about their students.
With the click of a few buttons, parents can navigate through “Power School,” which allows them to see their child’s grades, whether they were in class or not, and in some cases, a breakdown of their assignments.
Each parent is given a user name and password to access Power School anytime.
They can click on a teacher’s name to see their child’s grades, assignments, and even comments from the teachers.
MHS teachers have their own web pages that allow parents to see what their students are learning each day. Students can benefit from the pages by looking at assignments and notes they missed when absent.
Versch said it is good for parents to be able to see what their children are doing, but it’s more than just looking at a web page, it allows the parents to be more involved.
“If a parent sees a child is struggling, they can go to them and say, ‘How can I help you?’” Versch said.
A parent also can click on a teacher’s name and an e-mail box will pop-up if they need to ask a question about their student.
The program is similar to the K-12 Planet parents have used in the past.
A little bit of everything
While Versch said Power School has a lot of traffic, the site offers a variety of things for parents, students, and teachers alike.
Links to homework-help sites, school calendars, photos, sports team pages, ACT information, and more are available to everyone.
Even Marion Elementary School has information for parents.
A school newsletter, administered by teacher Sarah Waddell, is posted on the site once per month.
Each year teachers and administrators become more involved with the site, something Versch hopes to continue.
“My goal is to have others operate the site,” he said.
Along with teachers updating their own pages, staffers and administrators already help with the calendar and daily assignments among other things.
Versch also feels that at some point each team or activity group could have someone who posts their respective information on the site instead of him.
For now, he is just glad the district is able to communicate electronically, which usually means faster, with patrons.
For more information go to www.usd408.com.