Dear North Gwinnett,

As we move through the winter into spring there is a great deal happening in and around North Gwinnett.  We have many exciting events ahead that can be mutually enjoyed by students, family and friends.  I would like to ask parents to encourage their students to stay focused on their studies and finish the 2011-2012 school year strong academically and to engage in the many activities offered by our school.

With passage of the education SPLOST by the voters of Gwinnett County in November, North Gwinnett High School will be receiving a new 3 story building on campus as well as renovations in other portions of the existing facility. We are very excited about these events and are diligently working with the county officials making plans for next year. As plans are solidified we will begin to share them with students, parents and other stakeholders.

Also included in the SPLOST approval was a significant funding for technology. With nearly 50% of the money collected from the SPLOST extension allocated for technology projects, the approval paved the way for the district’s eCLASS initiative, a digital content, learning, assessment, and support system. So what is eCLASS and what is the district doing to prepare for the launch of this major initiative?

Think of eCLASS as an umbrella under which you will find existing technology resources and projects, as well as a number of new resources that will help enhance student engagement and the teaching and learning process. It will bring together curriculum and instructional resources, assessment items, professional development, student information, and gradebook functions in one place, making it easier for teachers to access tools that will help them improve student learning. Imagine a time when a teacher can enter eCLASS through the employee portal and access instructional calendars, resources for lessons, assignments for students who need enrichment or extra help, quizzes and tests that automatically populate the gradebook, analytics that show the teacher how students are doing on specific AKS, and much, much more. Imagine students being able to access assignments and academic help anytime, online. Imagine a classroom that allows technology to permeate the education of learners and where digital tools expand the walls of the classroom, fostering collaboration and nurturing creativity and innovation in students and teachers. This is the vision for eCLASS once it is fully developed and implemented. This integrated enterprise solution is a multi‐year initiative. And, while the pilot is set to begin in August 2012 with schools in the North Gwinnett cluster, this systemwide initiative is one that everyone needs to be aware of because pieces of it will touch all schools as early as next year. A lot of groundwork is being laid now as the district pilots online textbooks, scouts out digital content, and works to ensure the technology infrastructure is in place to support the eCLASS environment.

This is an exciting time for everyone associated with North Gwinnett High School.  In the midst of building projects and technology upgrades continue your hard work and diligent support as we make our way through the Spring semester.  Your efforts will certainly lead to the world class successes to which we’ve become accustomed at North Gwinnett High School.

Sincerely,

Michael E. Shaddix

Principal