Superintendent's Corner

September 30th, 2024

Dear Amity Community,

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Fall Board of Education Community Forum on the topic of “Technology in Schools,” where we will discuss three important topics that are shaping the future of our schools: cell phone use, artificial intelligence (AI) in education, and the use of PowerSchool and the Schoology platforms.

Cell Phones in Schools

Join us as we seek feedback from parents and students prior to making policy decisions on cell phones in our Amity schools. We will have staff on hand to answer questions about the reasons behind the widespread adoption of cell phone use restrictions, the impact of cell phones on student focus and academic performance, and how we can ensure safety and communication without compromising educational integrity.

The Connecticut State Board of Education recently adopted new guidance for districts on student cell phone use in schools, which can be found here.

The Use of AI in Education

Members of our District AI Council will be part of the forum to answer questions about how artificial intelligence is transforming education. We are prepared to discuss current applications of AI in our schools, ethical considerations, and the future possibilities that AI can bring to our educational system. If you are interested in how AI is changing student learning and schools, please watch this 10-minute video that highlights the impact AI is already having on education.

Watch Video

Using the PowerSchool and Schoology

PowerSchool and Schoology are important tools parents can use to support their student’s learning journey. If you have questions about how to use PowerSchool or Schoology to monitor your child’s attendance, grades, or assignments, we will have experts on these two platforms ready to answer your questions.

Forum Details

Date: Monday, October 21, 2024

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Amity Regional High School Library Media Center

We value your insights and questions on these topics and encourage open dialogue. Your participation is crucial in shaping policies and practices that best serve our students and community.

The Community Forum will be moderated by the Amity BOE Communications Committee. We are encouraging participants to submit questions by Tuesday, October 15th to ensure we have the right staff there to answer your questions. Questions may be anonymously submitted HERE. Questions will also be taken live on the night of the event and will be answered as time permits.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We look forward to seeing you there!