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Fayetteville Public Schools
Fayetteville, Arkansas
March 14-16, 2010
www.fayar.net

Eastern Townships School Board
Magog, Quebec, Canada
March 28-30, 2010
www.etsb.qc.ca

Avoca School District 37
Wilmette, Illinois
April 7-9, 2010
(Prior to NSBA’s Annual Conference in Chicago)
www.avoca37.org

Jefferson County Public Schools
Golden, Colorado
May 5-7, 2010
www.jeffcopublicschools.org

Hotel and Travel

Avoca School District #37 ◊ April 7-9, 2010

Avoca School District #37 is located in the prestigious “North Shore” suburbs of Chicago and serves students from four surrounding communities: Glenview, Northfield, Wilmette, and Winnetka. There are two exemplary, award-winning schools in the district, serving approximately 700 students. Avoca West School is the kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school, while Marie Murphy School houses the students in grades 6th through 8th, along with the district’s new blended preschool program.

Avoca’s small, intimate size makes it possible for teachers to know their students and families very well. The Avoca schools have become the hub of much of the community life that enriches its residents and the school community is fi ercely supportive of the district and of the importance of public education. In an example, the residents passed a property tax increase in the midst of the most severe economic conditions since the Great Depression.

Avoca is one of the most culturally and socio-economically diverse districts in the generally affluent, high-performing “North Shore” of Chicago. Enrollment demographics range from multi-million-dollar estates, to subsidized apartment housing. Asian-American, Eastern European, and Hispanic families comprise more than 30 percent of the student population. This diversity is embraced with pride and is viewed as a unique strength by the entire school community. Defying statistical predictions for a district with this level of diversity, Avoca’s student achievement ranks 6th in the state, out of more than 750 school districts in Illinois.

The mission of educational technology in Avoca is to “improve and transform the way we teach and learn.” Avoca is considered a “Lighthouse of the Midwest,” for these initiatives and more:

• 4th through 8th grade 1:1 laptop initiative
• K-3rd interactive boards in each classroom
• 6th-8th interactive boards in each math classroom
• Remote access to district network and fi ltered Internet service by students and parents
• Student and technology literacy skills assessed
• Staff technology literacy skills expectations
• Primary technology enrichment program
• Middle school creative technology class
• Student portfolios through blogging
• Electronic music program
• All electronic communication with parents and community
• Paperless school board meetings
• Pico Crickets

In Avoca, we believe that if you are not constantly moving forward, you are moving backwards. The Avoca educational technology program epitomizes this fundamental district belief.

• Wednesday, April 7
• Thursday, April 8
• Friday, April 9