Instructional Technology

1:1 Chromebook

As 21st century learners, our students have grown up with technology as an integral part of their daily lives. As part of the district’s responsibility to continually prepare students for their futures, we believe enhancing our classrooms and expanding our instructional repertoire with technology is a great way to support teaching and learning.

Responsible Use

Chromebooks will be provided to all middle school students free-of-charge while they are students at Shaker Middle School. The Chromebooks will be treated much like a textbook or library book; parents/students are responsible for any loss of or damage to the device. It is also our expectation that in addition to the physical care of the Chromebook, students will use it appropriately and behave as responsible digital citizens. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated by the district, and we will take a proactive approach to educating staff, students and parents about these issues. Safety is paramount, and the district will ensure that GoGuardian and Google filters are set to actively monitor and alert staff to the use of inappropriate words and/or words that are deemed threatening in any way.

Privacy

NCCSD has implemented a secure domain (nccsk12.org) for student accounts within “G Suite for Education.” North Colonie students already use these accounts to communicate and collaborate with their teachers and fellow students in a safe and secure online environment. These same accounts will be used to login to their Chromebooks.

For more detailed information on these topics as well as many others, please click here for the district’s Chromebook Handbook for Students, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions page for parents.

Once you have familiarized yourself with these documents, please sign and return the Chromebook 1:1 Parent/Student Agreement. The form is available in the Backpack tab of your child’s IC Portal account. All students have been given a copy of the form to bring home for your signature, or you can print it out from the portal. Please sign and return the form to your son’s/daughter’s homeroom teacher at school. If you have any questions, please contact a building administrator. We look forward to our students being able to use this tool as another way to enhance their educational experience inside and outside of the classroom.

Ed Law 2D information

Infinite Campus

The North Colonie Central School District provides parents with access to the Infinite Campus Portal. Campus Portal is a web based program that will provide parents and guardians access to their child’s attendance, schedules, NYS assessments, grading information and immunizations. By providing parents and guardians access to this information. We encourage parents and guardians to actively participate in their child’s educational progress.

Instructional Technology Plan

View North Colonie CSD 2022 – 2025 Instructional Technology Plan.

SMART Schools Investment Plan

Following a 30-day comment window and a public hearing, the Board of Education approved the Smart Schools Investment Plan Phase II at its June 26 meeting. Next, the district will submit the plan to the State Education Department for review and approval.

North Colonie was originally allocated $1,838,380 through the state’s Smart Schools Bond Act. The district focused on improving its network infrastructure for Phase I of its Smart Schools Plan. The focus of the Phase II Plan is on upgrading classroom technology.

View the final Smart Schools Investment Plan Phase II

History of the Smart Schools Bond Act

The Smart Schools Bond Act was passed in the 2014-15 New York State budget and approved by voters in a statewide referendum during the November 2014 General Election. The Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA) authorized the issuance of $2 billion of general obligation bonds to finance improved educational technology and infrastructure to improve learning and opportunity for students throughout the state.

The SSBA requires that a Review Board examine and approve districts’ Smart Schools Investment Plans before any funds may be made available for the program.