Mary Jane Kupsky Mar 6, 2007 8:49 AM

I am delighted that this processes is involving various end user groups (staff, students and parents.)

The most urgent point from last night's meeting for me is the issue of password access. I would much rather have the 99% of the site behind a log in and have available-to-anyone information actively selected for general publication. I believe you will find the strong majority of parents insisting on this.

As you asked for input through this forum, following are points parents have passed to the PTA regarding info they would like to have on the net site.

. All Schemes of Work
. All homework assignments
. All classroom handouts
. All reference links teachers would like the children to use
. All Weekly mailing items
. All necessary forms: Dance permission; PE kit
. Listing of after-school club options
. School calendar dates
. Each student to have a private space, available only to the student, parent and teachers, so the student and teachers could communicate. Perhaps an internal email? This may be more useful for the older students.
. A space for parents to exchange information such as good tutors, options for sports outside of school, items for sale when families are moving, opportunites for shared interests, ie: golf, motorcycling. Exchange of info on kid-friendly travel options, trade of summer houses, etc. On-line book exchange. Plus PTA meeting notes
. Staff email directory
. Parent access to student timetable
. More teacher blogs
. Revision material
. Essay-writing guidlines

I am certain there will be many more good suggestion and that we will be developing a very useful, successful site.

I look forward to this process!
Mary Jane Kupsky

Tannis Redekopp Mar 7, 2007 11:07 AM

The session Monday evening was very informative and exciting. Thank you for sharing your vision of the Southbank intranet with us!

Mary Jane has covered the feedback so well, I have little to add, except to reinforce the need for password protection. Although I understand the desire to keep it as open and accessible as possible, the need to protect the privacy of students, staff and parents is paramount. I agree with Mary Jane that this will be very important to parents.

I look forward to the launch!

Tannis

Meg Garrison Mar 7, 2007 9:00 PM

I am very excited about all of the possibilities that the new intranet site will provide for all parties involved. I will reiterate Mary Jane's security comments and I'm sure at least from the parent’s perspective an initial password would not hinder the use of the site.

One suggestion that is used at another school is an automatic email being sent to parents/students when any significant or important change has been made to that subject/class information (i.e. project requirements/deadlines etc.) They will then know to check the site for changes.

Hopefully in the future as Mary Jane said we can also use the intranet site for a school wide London resource guide that could be easily updated with recommended doctors, activities, holidays …..

I look forward to using what is available on this site in April and beyond.

Meg Garrison

Alison Feldman Mar 8, 2007 9:38 PM

Mary Jane has summarized and expanded on points made Monday night very well and I can only reiterate that I think parents will feel it is crucial to have most of the site password-protected. Yet I do think that a "reception room" type front page that displays some of the student work, projects, etc of the three schools would be beneficial, and certainly having separate portals into those campuses would help parents and students access information quickly and efficiently.

I would also add that having a "PTA corner" of some sort would help parents to quickly locate information not exclusively about the school but important to new families, or for those wanting to share information about the general community. It would also help us to be able to post the latest PTA meeting notes, events, etc. for parents at all 3 campuses to view.

While I am excited/thrilled about the development of this site, I am still puzzled by the existence of two separate Southbank websites. There are many things -- school calendar, activities, community service projects, after school clubs offered, PTA information -- that really should be on both. How will this be managed? Will the sites continue to operate separately? could this be remedied through shared links?

Thanks for the opportunity to hear about and give feedback on this wonderful project,

Alison Feldman

Pamela Sears May 10, 2007 4:06 PM

The March meeting was very informative as was Jan's presentation to the Kensington PTA on 6 May. Mary Jane has so concisely and thoroughly summarized the parents' concerns. I think the idea of mirroring the school's physical structure could be a useful framework for the structure of the net: a reception room that provides general information available to the public and sign in and security before entering the main school (library, classrooms, PTA meetings, admin offices, etc.).

The site will be most helpful if all information is consistant, ie, all teachers include copies of work handed out in class, all email addresses are listed, all school forms are included and updated, all web sites used in class are linked, all newsletters are uploaded, all schemes of work are included, deadlines presented in class are accessable online. And much more...

Thank you for helping us into the 21st century! We all look forward to being able to access and receive all school information on the net site. A paperless world will be nice...

Teresa May 11, 2007 7:39 PM

This is a great site that is not only informative, but it has all the necessary information for students and parents. Now I know why my daughter uses this site alot for homework and information. This site is colourful and easy to use, I think it has developed alot, compared to the previous southbank.net website. Well done.