Middle School Offers Parents a Tour of District's Interwebs

Parents of Southampton-area fifth grade students gathered at Klinger Middle School Wednesday evening for a brief orientation.

Principal Dennis Best presented the local parents with the school’s online grading system and website, giving a tour of important information gateways as he welcomed the audience into the Klinger community.

Best and Assistant Principal Julia Henrich showed the audience where they can find updates such as weather-related school closings and calendar functions. Best pointed out a list of “quick links” where the school’s daily announcements, student handbook, bus transportation schedules and lunch menus are posted.

Gary Clift, currently a Stackpole Elementary School parent, thinks highly of the revamped website, which he finds much more efficient and informative than when his older children walked the halls of Klinger 11 years ago.

 “I really like their website. It’s pretty standard now, but that’s really cool,” Clift said. “The idea of sending papers home seems like an ancient idea. It seems like it’s more up-to-date. We can see everything.”

 The Skyward Students Information System was a point of pride which Best highlighted in his presentation. This online database is an easy way for parents to check in on their son or daughter’s academic performance. It received high reviews from parents in attendance.

 “I love it,” said Bob Grover, whose son is a fifth-grader at McDonald-Davis Elementary School. “I think it’s a great way to check up on your child, it’s a good thing.”

Best said Centennial School District was a little late to get started with the Skyward system, however after three years of use he is very pleased with the results Klinger has experienced.

 “It’s been a great tool because our parents are no longer in the dark,” Best said. “It’s no longer, the kid comes home, ‘yeah, I’m doing ok’ and no one knows anything until the report card comes nine weeks into school. Now parents can see grades in real time. It really is a good communication tool.”

 Lesley Clift is looking forward to being able to use this tool when her son begins classes at Klinger in the fall.

 “I think you can communicate with teachers through Skyward too, send emails and set up conferences,” Lesley Clift said. “I think it’s really going to be great. I’m excited about that.”

 Principal Best emphasized the need to upgrade to more technologically based forms of communication. The faculty has individual webpages where students can go to see assignments and interact with their teachers. The school also uses a social networking site called Edmodo, which Best describes as a safer, well-monitored type of Facebook.

 “Our kids are very tech savvy and they’re very into what they can access quickly,” Best said. “And parents can quickly access as much information as possible on their own, and the kids like it too.”

 Best knows the importance of parents and students feeling comfortable and confident in an academic setting.

 “If they are happy with the education their son or daughter is getting, then we know we’re doing a good job,” he said.