Bellingham Public Schools
Middle School Technology Work Group
Purpose(s)/Goal:
- Develop a shared, instructionally focused vision for the use of technology in middle school classrooms that supports engagement, critical thinking, accessibility, and digital citizenship.
- Identify recommended digital citizenship curriculum resources to teach updated ELA standards
- Provide recommendations to teaching & learning and district leadership regarding middle school technology logistics, specifically considering if grade levels maintain the current take-home model
Basis for Establishment:
- Middle schools serve as a critical transition point where students increase independence, digital responsibility, and use of instructional technology.
- Staff have requested support to navigate the logistical challenges of students leaving devices at home or at school, incomplete charging, or damage from travel to and from school.
Meeting Notes & Docs
Members
Decision-Making Process:
- The work group will work toward consensus.
- Recommendations will be presented to the Superintendent and the Executive Team, Educational Technology Department and Department of Teaching and Learning for consideration.
Plan of Work and Timeline:
Convene four structured meetings:
- 4 – 5:15 p.m., Tuesday, March 10 (Zoom)
- 4 – 5:15 p.m., Tuesday, March 17 (Zoom)
- 4:15 – 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 24 (in person, District Office)
- 4:15 – 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 15 (in person, District Office)
- Review research, student data, and district context related to adolescent learning, instructional technology, accessibility, and digital citizenship.
- Develop a set of clear recommendations, including guidance documents and next steps for hardware procurement and school planning around device logistics.
Responsibilities:
- Attend and actively participate in meetings.
- Represent perspectives from assigned roles and stakeholder groups.
- Review research, policies, and current practices.
- Contribute to the development of recommendations and supporting resources.
- Communicate work group progress back to constituent groups as appropriate.
Budget Implications:
- None anticipated for the work group itself.
- Any recommended investments in curriculum or hardware will be identified separately by the educational technology department and presented as part of final recommendations.