Norwin parents now can access children’s school information on the Internet

By: Norm Vargo
Pittsburg Post Gazette

January 22, 2009

Parents of Norwin School District students can now pay cafeteria lunch bills online and monitor what their kids are eating and what they’re up to academically by clicking onto the Internet.

Skyward Family Access started in the district recently.

School directors got a glimpse of information parents will be able to access in a demonstration at the January 12 school board meeting.

The $10,500 resource, which includes a $2,500 fee for updates to the program and maintenance, is designed to provide safe and secure information on a student’s grade book, school attendance, graduation requirements, class schedule, immunization history, medication records and nutrition.

The program – implemented on the secondary level – will compile a history of each student while he is in the district. Transcripts from previous schools can be incorporated. Colleges also may request a copy of a student’s academic transcripts, subject to approval by a parent.

The program establishes e-mail traffic between teachers and parents.

A packet mailed to parents provides information about accessing the program, by using a password and protected user name.

“There’s been a phenomenal response from parents since the packets went out,” said Ruth Toocheck, district manager of informational services.

“It’s off and running, and running smoothly,” Superintendent Jack Boylan said of the program that “started in 2001 as an idea.”

Director Tom Sturm said: “I’m impressed by Family Access. But every family does not have a computer. What about those people?”

“District administration never expected 100 percent participation,” Ms. Toocheck responded. “We are aware that some families can’t afford or simply do not have a computer. But access is available through the public computers at the Norwin Public Library.”

Dr. Boylan said: “Some parents already have called to advise that they don’t own a computer and (asked) if somehow they could access their child’s information. “If a parent can’t avail themselves of the public computers available at the library, then the district administration will try to establish a method of getting information to them, probably by mail.”

Family Access is set up to notify a parent when a student’s cafeteria account is down to a specified level. Daily menus also are provided.

“You would be surprised at how many parents are shocked when they find out what their kids eat and how much it costs,” Dr Boylan said.

“Kids these days have funny appetites. I know of a student who buys mile and tacos for lunch almost every day. I wonder if the parents knew that?”