If you have attempted to log-in to the worthingon-portal you have seen the message above that informs users of a change in technology that Worthington is undergoing. In an effort to simplify and improve our communication with our customers, we are implementing a new website and student information system. Both changes have been in the works since last fall, but will finally be implemented while our students are on summer break. Both are big, big changes for our organization. We recognize that a change of this magnitude will not be accomplished without some challenges. However, our goal is to make things simpler for our customers. Here’s the rest of the story…
“Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” ― Steve Jobs
A key part of the social technology selection criterion must be “ease of use” and the employee and customer experience. In Worthington we are striving to create a more seamless end-user experience. Worthington has always provided a wealth of information for parents and students. However, it has often been provided differently depending on the school or teacher providing the information. In an effort to make things simpler for parents, students, and community members, we are making a major shift in how we do business.
Around the 4th of July Worthington Schools will launch a new website. The website designed by our corporate partner, SchoolWires, www.worthington.k12.oh.us will become the place to read news about Worthington Schools, access calendars for school events, and find contact information for school employees. The website will also become the vehicle to launch parents into the secure parent portal and student information system, Infinite Campus.
Infinite Campus is a student information system that the Worthington Schools utilizes to manage student data in grades PK-12. Included in this system are individual student grades, assignment/general communication, and attendance records. This is a web-based program that may be accessed by authorized users anywhere there is an Internet connection. The information is password protected and can only be viewed by authorized users. Parents with multiple students in Worthington Schools will have a single family log-in to simplify the process. Each teacher in Worthington will host companion sites for their classes that will provide parents and students with information and resources to supplement the brick and mortar experience. Parents and students should be able to go to this one place to access all information about their child and the classes they are taking. At different levels the companion sites will be a bit different. We’re phasing this new initiative in over the first nine weeks at the elementary level to provide time for teachers to become familiar with the software. Below you can see the information that companion sites will provide to parents.
PK-3 (“Live” at the beginning of the second nine weeks)
- Weekly or Monthly Newsletters
- Overarching Learning Targets/ I Can Statements
- Weekly or Monthly Calendars
- Assignments that need to be completed at home and/or with the support of a family member (example: book reports, projects, Star of the week posters)
- Assignments uploaded to allow parents access at home in the event they are lost or forgotten
4-6 (“Live” at the beginning of the second nine weeks)
- Weekly or Monthly Newsletters
- Overarching Learning Targets/ I Can Statements
- Weekly or Monthly Calendars
- Assignments that need to be completed at home and/or with the support of a family member (example: book reports, projects, Star of the week posters)
- Assignments uploaded to allow parents access at home in the event they are lost or forgotten
- Grade book updated weekly
- Electronic versions of classroom resources (presentations, handouts, etc.)
7-12 (“Live” at the start of the school year)
- Period-by-period attendance
- Parent and student communications (example: syllabus, week at a glance, class expectations, etc.)
- Grade book updated weekly
- Assignments uploaded to allow parents/students access at home in the event they are lost or forgotten
- Important class links (example: textbooks, resource websites, etc.)
- Electronic versions of classroom resources (presentations, handouts, etc.)
Our hope is that once fully implemented, our new website and student information system will make life easier for our parents and students. Most importantly it will help support the education of all Worthington students. I am cautiously excited about this move. I expect some bumps along the road this fall, but I’m certain in the end our community will benefit.
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