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Spring-Ford sees big changes at beginning of school year
The beginning of school means new things for students, and this year for parents as well.
Spring-Ford has moved its district offices to 857 S. Lewis Road in Royersford, next to the Upper Providence Elementary School, according to its Web site, www.spring-ford.net
This year it also introduced a greener alternative to the usual pile of forms parents must fill out to get their students set for school.
Using its Skyward Family Access system, which has so far been used to allow parents to check their students' grades, the school district is having parents fill out emergency notification forms and the such without the added paperwork. Among the things the school district is hoping parents will do with the new system is update their contact information, including e-mail addresses.
For more on the change, including a way to log in to the system, click here.
Elsewhere on the technological advancement front, Spring-Ford has purchased a new way to check the background of visitors, and ensure the safety of students from child predators.
The school district has purchased the V-soft system from a company called Raptorware.
According to Raptorware's Web site, the V-soft visitor check-in system works with law enforcement and other government databases to find out whether a visitor has violations that might make them a danger to the student body. It does this when staff slide the visiting person's driver's license or other ID through the system.
Of course it will only work if the person's ID is valid and no names have changed.
It also relies on the availability of criminal information in an online database format.
If anyone red flags come up in the scan, the school's staff is alerted by text message, telephone, e-mail or page. If the visitor is OK'd, the system prints out a badge and there is no need to scan their ID again ... as long as they don't forget their badge the next time.
Raptorware says on its Web site that the system can also be used to keep track of faculty and volunteer hours as well as child departure times, but the Spring-Ford announcement did not say if the school district would be following up on those possibilities.
According to Sephakis, Sunnybrook's restoration is "the largest revitalization project in Montgomery County" and so far only 25 percent of the restoration work on the site has been completed.
Sunnybrook has hosted more than 200 events since its grand reopening, according to Sephakis.
If you would like to donate to Sunnybrook, you can do so by downloading and filling out a pledge form at http://www.sunnybrookfoundation.net/Pledgeform.pdf
According to the Foundation, money collected is currently being put toward improvement of the ballroom, a new sign on High Street, a new pavilion and children's park and a new covered bridge onto the property from Sunnybrook Road.
The foundation is also hoping to build a new two-story performance center on the site, as well as an outdoor stage, promenade and fountain where the old pool once stood.
Spring-Ford has moved its district offices to 857 S. Lewis Road in Royersford, next to the Upper Providence Elementary School, according to its Web site, www.spring-ford.net
This year it also introduced a greener alternative to the usual pile of forms parents must fill out to get their students set for school.
Using its Skyward Family Access system, which has so far been used to allow parents to check their students' grades, the school district is having parents fill out emergency notification forms and the such without the added paperwork. Among the things the school district is hoping parents will do with the new system is update their contact information, including e-mail addresses.
For more on the change, including a way to log in to the system, click here.
Elsewhere on the technological advancement front, Spring-Ford has purchased a new way to check the background of visitors, and ensure the safety of students from child predators.
The school district has purchased the V-soft system from a company called Raptorware.
According to Raptorware's Web site, the V-soft visitor check-in system works with law enforcement and other government databases to find out whether a visitor has violations that might make them a danger to the student body. It does this when staff slide the visiting person's driver's license or other ID through the system.
Of course it will only work if the person's ID is valid and no names have changed.
It also relies on the availability of criminal information in an online database format.
If anyone red flags come up in the scan, the school's staff is alerted by text message, telephone, e-mail or page. If the visitor is OK'd, the system prints out a badge and there is no need to scan their ID again ... as long as they don't forget their badge the next time.
Raptorware says on its Web site that the system can also be used to keep track of faculty and volunteer hours as well as child departure times, but the Spring-Ford announcement did not say if the school district would be following up on those possibilities.
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"The Performing Arts and Historic Preservation Grants issued through the state are virtually at a halt and many organizations such as our (sic) must rely solely upon public donations now in order to continue our efforts. In many cases, the government continues it (sic) projects to bailout banks and other firms, while many worthwhile projects receive no further funding. Even in cases where we have been awarded monies, our local leaders have been unwilling to provide those funds to us. The excuses are plenty, but the fact is that the arts, schools, economic development projects, and many historic properties have been left without any further state or local support this year," Sephakis' letter reads.
Sunnybrook Ballroom is looking for a little funding aid from the community. In a letter sent out by Tom Sephakis, chairman and president of the Sunnybrook Foundation, which is working to restore the ballroom and make it the center of community activities, the foundation is hoping to meet its goal of $250,000 by Dec. 31.
According to Sephakis' letter, the foundation is facing a shortfall in its operating and restoration funds because of the recent loss of grant money due to inaction on the part of Lower Pottsgrove and the state budget impasse.
According to Sephakis' letter, the foundation is facing a shortfall in its operating and restoration funds because of the recent loss of grant money due to inaction on the part of Lower Pottsgrove and the state budget impasse.
According to Sephakis, Sunnybrook's restoration is "the largest revitalization project in Montgomery County" and so far only 25 percent of the restoration work on the site has been completed.
Sunnybrook has hosted more than 200 events since its grand reopening, according to Sephakis.
If you would like to donate to Sunnybrook, you can do so by downloading and filling out a pledge form at http://www.sunnybrookfoundation.net/Pledgeform.pdf
According to the Foundation, money collected is currently being put toward improvement of the ballroom, a new sign on High Street, a new pavilion and children's park and a new covered bridge onto the property from Sunnybrook Road.
The foundation is also hoping to build a new two-story performance center on the site, as well as an outdoor stage, promenade and fountain where the old pool once stood.
Labels: Spring-Ford schools, Sunnybrook Ballroom
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