TECHNOLOGY
SUHAIL BALOCH , TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
FOOD SERVICE est Jefferson Hills WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
The West Jefferson Hills School District Technology Department is eagerly preparing and excited for the 2016-17 academic year . The focus for the department will be assisting our students and staff to successfully integrate technology into instruction and learning . For the last three years , we have made a concentrated effort to upgrade and add to our enterprise and end-user level equipment and services . At the end of the 2015-16 school year , we had approximately one device per 1.2 students . These devices included nearly 700 Windows laptops , 600 desktops , 550 iPads , 200 other tablets , and 350 Chromebooks . This summer we have added another 50 iPads , 150 Chromebooks , and 50 laptops . These purchases will further reduce our student-to-device ratio for the upcoming year . Moreover , each of our classrooms also boasts an interactive board and Bring Your Own Device ( BYOD ) capabilities to allow students to directly engage in their instruction .
However , equipment and services are nothing more than a foundation of any technology plan . For technology to be successful , it must be integrated and utilized effectively at the curricular level . Students must be engaged by the technology around them and hold a positive orientation to it . Technology should serve as a tool to enhance and enrich their learning experience . Technology should be used effectively to address all learning styles , including visual , auditory , and kinesthetic . And , technology must be used to encourage creative and critical thinking and interdisciplinary environment for our students in which they can thrive and receive the best educational experience we can offer .
Our district has some of the most talented and innovative educators when it comes to successfully using technology for its intended purpose . I never cease to be amazed by their dedication and expertise in effectively using technology to improve both student engagement and achievement . For the last two years , the Technology Department has dedicated itself to supporting these educators by offering competitive grants to individual teachers to purchase technology relevant to their needs and recommendations . We realize that , although the need for base technology equipment is justifiable , there must also be room for customization to address the individual needs of our teachers and academic departments . Therefore , we plan to continue with this practice for the foreseeable future . We want to give our teachers the tools they deem necessary rather than forcing a “ one size must fit all ” philosophy . Each year , approximately 30 % of the district-wide technology budget is dedicated to this endeavor . Furthermore , by parceling out requested monies to all schools properly , we also ensure equity in funding amongst our schools .
Technology has become an integral component of any successful educational methodology . Therefore , at WJHSD , we strive to utilize technology effectively to provide the best possible experience our students can have in order to become critical and creative thinkers in an ever-changing world .
52 West Jefferson Hills
John Rambo , Food Service Director
Welcome back !
The WJHSD Food Service Program will be in operation in all schools beginning on the first day of school , August 29 , 2016 . The price for the Type " A " ( complete ) lunch will be $ 2.50 for elementary students and $ 2.75 for middle and high school students . The complete lunch consists of five nutritious components – protein , bread , two fruits / vegetables , and milk . The price of a ½ pint of milk is $ 0.65 .
For the first week of school , all first-grade students are invited to enjoy a lunch in the cafeteria at no charge , compliments of Metz Culinary Management , Inc . This will enable students to become familiar with our selection of foods , taken from the basic food groups , and the cafeteria service . All lunch menus are available by logging onto the district ’ s website at www . wjhsd . net , clicking on Lunch Menus , and selecting the appropriate school .
Each student will be assigned a PIN number with their cafeteria account . Deposits to the cafeteria account should be sent in on the first day of every week in all schools . Checks should be made payable to “ WJHSD Cafeteria Fund ” and include the student ’ s PIN on the check . Cash will also be accepted , but checks are preferred . Please be advised that you are permitted to make on-line payments and various online inquiries at www . payforit . net .
Nutrition is a major factor for all people , regardless of age . The National School Lunch Program provides onethird of the nutritional requirements for the students . Applications for Free and Reduced Price Meals will be distributed by homerooms to everyone on the first day of school .
We look forward to welcoming your student ( s ) into the cafeteria and hope that you encourage him / her to become one of our regular customers . Please feel free to contact me at 412-655-8610 ext . 6270 should you have any questions or need additional information . Our doors are always open and we welcome the opportunity to discuss our program with you .