It’s not too late to apply for ECF funds; Learn why you should apply today!

In this session, we will walk through the process of applying for and getting ECF funds to pay for your distance learning needs.

The FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) is a $7.17 billion program that will help schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 emergency period.

Presentation Slides

Presenter: Eric Ogden, Director of Field Marketing at Trafera.

VT Education Technology Survey – A Look at the 2020 School Term

The Annual Technology Survey is required of all Vermont schools in order to collect important data about many aspects of the education technology landscape in our schools. The survey enables the Agency of Education to observe patterns of technology use and infrastructure across SU/SDs. In this session we will examine the feedback from 51 SU/SDs regarding the 2020 school term. How did districts manage the pandemic? What practices remained unchanged despite the changing educational environment? Join us for a discussion of education technology in Vermont and what your peers may be considering for the upcoming school year.

Presenter: Lisa Helme, State Coordinator of Education Technology

Google’s Best Kept Secret: Visualizing data from your SIS and other sources with Google Data Studio

In this hands-on session, attendees will be introduced to the power and possibilities of Google Data Studio, a free business intelligence solution that offers customizable dashboards with real-time data. Participants will be provided examples of the possibilities and hands-on practice with the support of session presenters. By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with a solid understanding of how to import data and build custom dashboards that provide easily accessible data-rich visualizations to help support effective data-driven decisions.

Attendees will need a laptop and a Google Account linked with Google Data Studio.

Presenter: Jason Hom & Theresa Schneiderheinze, VT/NH/MA Alma SIS Regional Director at Alma.

1:1 Policy and Implementation: Sometimes IT’s Counter-Intuitive

1:1 programs have steadily grown in Vermont and the nation. COVID-19 accelerated the purchase of devices in schools, meaning more schools than ever before could implement 1:1 programs. However, the usual multi-year planning phases that are common never happened. Are you ready to deploy 1:1, especially in elementary schools? Jeff will share his thoughts on how policies can help and hinder your programs based on his 1:1 experience that dates back to 1993 at Brewster Academy in NH and later 12 years of experience with Maine’s MLTI.

Presenter: Jeff Mao, Executive Director, Vita-Learn.

Connected Bus Technology: An ECF-Eligible Solution for the Homework Gap

Smart Bus-The Hot Ticket to Ride!
Did you know…Students spend an average of 40 minutes per day on their daily routes? That adds up to 180 hours every school year. Students who participate in extracurricular activities, such as athletics and clubs, spend even more time on the school bus traveling to and from events.

• When buses are equipped with WiFi, this time can be spent completing homework.
• For students without Internet at home, or for those with other responsibilities after school- time spent on the bus may be the only opportunity they have to complete online assignments
• Studies have found that there are significantly less behavioral issues and distractions on school buses when students are engaged; this means better driver retention, as well!
Now, Whalley partners with Kajeet’s SmartBusTM technology to offer a robust, customizable K-12 CIPA-compliant solution! It includes access to Kajeet’s patented Sentinel platform, where school administrators can manage devices, data allocations, filters and access controls.
The best news is, this significant school bus technology is an eligible offering under the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), a new, $7.1 billion initiative, included in the American Rescue Plan. K-12 public and nonpublic schools and libraries nationwide now have the ability to buy laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, School Bus connectivity and other broadband connections to help students, teachers and library patrons access the Internet while off-campus. There’s an initial 45-day application window for purchases of eligible equipment/services, starting June 29; purchases can be made starting July 1, running through June 30, 2022.

Presenter: Jeff Bajgot, Whalley Computer Associates, Senior Consultant Program Development

Printing; ’21 or ’01?

A roundtable facilitated discussion on this age-old IT thorn-in-the-side.

We’ve been at this “21st Century” adventure for nearly a quarter of the century, but how digitally are we really if we’re still so paper-based?

Printing consumes an inordinate amount of my time, my Techs’ time, and district dollars.  How about you?

Managed purchasing services (SPC & Stardoc) and print management (PrinterLogic) are easing the burden for our district.

We’ve got a long way to go towards a paperless world, even with the strides EdTech took in the last 1 1/2 years.

From managing printers to reducing IT overhead to education workflows that are more digital; join the discussion; how are your schools doing it?

Presenter: Robert Gervais, Director of Technology, Missisquoi Valley School District

Cyber Risk Transfer Solutions for Education

During this presentation, Patrick will discuss risk transfer solutions for cyber liability and how to best prepare your school to enter the current cyber insurance market. Topics covered will include the current state of the cyber insurance market and how it has evolved, cybersecurity controls that insurance carriers are requiring, what is covered on a cyber insurance policy, and how the underwriting process has changed over the past 12 to 18 months.

Come prepared with questions as Patrick will leave time at the end for an open discussion.

Presenter: Patrick Ergastolo, Cyber Insurance Broker, Gallagher