HURON The Huron School Districts technology department is working to ensure students have access to educational Internet sites while weeding out sites with inappropriate content, said the districts technology director Roger Ahlers.
The districts search for a more robust content filter led them to the Deladao system, he said during Monday nights School Board meeting. That system has blocked 22,000 web sites across the district while also using AI to monitor searches.
It will look at everything a student types in searches, and if something is problematic or concerned for a childs mental health, it will send an email to staff. Weve had several of those this year where we were able to step in and help a child because of that.
A lot of stuff isnt a big deal, but there are times when mental health is a concern for us, Ahlers said. It shows up in technology and we want to be able to do something about it.
Another goal the department has been working on is improving documentation by keeping track of the thousands of chrome books, iPads and other technology being used by students.
Its much easier for us to track down a device, he added. You cant keep devices secured if you dont know what you have.
Next year they will be implementing a new system called Campus Workflow Suite, which will allow parents to log in to report if a student will be absent rather than calling the school, and it will also keep track of the hall pass system at the high school and middle school.
In his legislative report, board member Tim VanBerkum listed a number of bills in the House and Senate which were killed in committee, including a bill that would require posting the Ten Commandments in each school in South Dakota.
House bill 1039, which would mean jail time for librarians who allow a minor to have a book deemed inappropriate, passed the House and moves next to the Senate. (David) Wheeler said he would do what he could to kill that thing, VanBerkum added.
In his report to the Board, Supt. Kraig Steinhoff said the district volunteered to be the first to have its water tested for lead levels.
Every school in the state will have to be tested for lead levels in its water, and by volunteering to go first the Huron District will qualify for funds that can be used to fix any potential problems.
By doing this testing were helping to keep our school and facility safer, Steinhoff said.
Dakota Environmental Professionals will test the water from fountains and any other faucets or fixtures. They will come in to test the water when the facilities havent been used for eight hours to see if there is any lead content, then a second sample test will be done after letting the water run for 30 seconds. If lead is detected, the next step will be to find the pipes that may be leaching the metal. Lead pipes were commonly used in construction until the 1980s. Young adults who are pregnant or nursing are encouraged to run water for 30 seconds or more before drinking, he added.
The tests can detect lead in a ratio of one part per billion, or the equivalent of one drop of lead in an olympic-sized swimming pool.
The school district is also working with the State Fire Marshall from the S.D. Department of Public Safety for the annual school fire inspection. The inspection will continue through Thursday, Feb. 27.
The inspections include the fire alarm systems, heating and cooling systems, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, the kitchen ansul system, building populations and a review of the fire drills conducted.
Congratulations were extended to Bailey Thompson, a teacher at the Madison 2-3 Center, and her husband, Kyle Corbett, on the birth of their son, Kashton Lee.
Music in Our Schools Month is in March, as well as Athletic Trainers Appreciation Month.
Read Across America Day will be March 2, and Maintenance & Ground Workers Appreciation Day is March 7.
First Congregational Church donated mittens, gloves and hats to the Washington 4-5 Center and Buchanan K-1 Center.
Thank yous were extended to Educators Rising and the Key Club for visiting Buchanan K-1 Center for Friendly Friday, and to Vanya Munch and members of the National Honor Society for putting on a great Cherry Prom.
The ESL Summer School will be May 22-June 6 (excluding Memorial Day) with classes to be held at Buchanan, Madison and Washington sites. Qualifying students are in grades kindergarten through fifth.
The district also approved three new hires and two resignations.
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