Category: General Articles

  • Elementary School Wireless Upgrade Complete

    Elementary School Wireless Upgrade Complete

    Teachers and students increasingly rely upon a high-performance network for innovative teaching and learning. As classroom technology grows, and mobile computing devices expand, strengthening our technology infrastructure is vital. The wireless network, in particular, is the core hub through which virtually all classroom technology projects flow. Without wireless, the district would grind to an unpleasant…

  • Open Campus PA Website Launched

    As we start our second semester of online courses, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the new Open Campus PA website: www.opencampuspa.net. Open Campus is the virtual course collaboration between Penn Manor and our two partner districts: Hempfield School District and Manheim Township School District. During the second half of the school year, students…

  • 2012 Technology News Recap

    2012 Technology News Recap

    With 2012 drawing to a close, it is time to reflect on Penn Manor technology accomplishments. Let’s recount major IT highlights from the past 12 months: Nine school buildings received a much needed communications upgrade during the spring. The new phone system, powered by open source sipXecs software, replaced our nearly decade-old, proprietary 3COM NBX…

  • Let’s Build a Computer

    The Penn Manor IT team recently spent the day building 40 new staff computers. Rather than purchasing more costly finished PCs from a traditional vendor, my staff assembled the systems from individual components. The computers will serve as upgrades to 7 year old systems currently in use by various district personnel. My team has hand-assembled…

  • Home Laptop Recommendation 2012

    Some of the most common questions I receive from district staff and students involve advice on home computer purchases. It has been several years since I first blogged about this question. With the new school year approaching, it is time to update my recommendation. Most staff and students have similar needs: web surfing, email, social…

  • Commencement 2012

    Congratulations to the fantastic class of 2012. We’ll miss you!