Technology and Innovation

  • Date created

    October 4, 2019

  • Last updated

    October 9, 2019

TECHNOLOGY

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At St. Michael’s, Technology is viewed as a tool that our students have access to in all of their classes. In the Middle School, each student is issued an Apple MacBook Air. This is their laptop to use both at school and at home. The laptop is preloaded with today’s most popular software titles, like Adobe’s Creative Suite, and Apple’s iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers and Keynote. Each student also gets a school issued email account, powered by Google. With their account, they have access to a Google Drive account, and Google’s full line of web based production applications (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc). Working in the Google environment allows students to collaborate with each other, as well as their teachers – all in real time. Lastly, students are also given an Apple iCloud for Education account. Our students are taught how to utilize this emerging industry standard for everything from calendar synchronization to photo streams.
Additionally, our Middle School students have access to a cart of Apple iPads, and a full featured green screen room for video production.

We want our Middle School students to have a portable technology device because we want them to be able to work whenever and wherever they are inspired. Our SMS Maker Lab is full of state of the art machines that bring your digital creation to life. We have CNC Machines, seven 3D printers, a vinyl cutter, and a 3D laser cutter just to name a few. All of these machines interface with the software preloaded on the student’s laptop. We want our students to design something unimaginable whenever they want, and then bring their laptop back to campus and watch their idea become reality in our Maker Lab.

INNOVATION

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Cutting edge academics involves a critical balance between the tried and true of past history, the innovation of the present, and a thoughtful vision for the future. Advances in technology and research in the past two decades have challenged teachers to reconsider traditional metrics of success and to balance group challenge with individual opportunities for discovery and innovation.

The school’s emphasis on project based instruction, STEAM initiatives, and Middle School Electives are innovations of the past year that have been gleaned from regional, national and international professional development experiences.

Recent professional development and research workshops attended by faculty include


The annual Independent School Technology Educators (ISTE) National Conference in Philadelphia;

The National Association of Independent Schools Annual Conference in Boston;

National Conference for International Baccalaureate Programs;

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference;

Association of Independent Schools of New England (AISNE) Conference in Wellesley and regional workshops;

Numerous workshops and programs from Responsive Classroom, Rhode Island School of Design, Project Based Learning, and Singapore Math.

During my daughter’s 2nd grade year, the idea of a Buddy Bench was brought up by a classmate. After presenting...

3rd and 7th Grade Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:11:00-04:00

3rd and 7th Grade Parent

Megan Whitlock During my daughter’s 2nd grade year, the idea of a Buddy Bench was brought up by a classmate. After presenting the idea to the Lower School head, the idea was fully embraced. Instead of just providing a Buddy Bench, my daughter and a few students helped build and 
St. Michael’s is a magical school. The teachers are wonderful. They have that blend of intelligence, gentle discipline, and love...

2nd Grade Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:11:29-04:00

2nd Grade Parent

Ina Bordelon St. Michael’s is a magical school. The teachers are wonderful. They have that blend of intelligence, gentle discipline, and love inspiring the kids. The sense of community is so evident. The parents are a tight-knit group that truly care about one another and cheer other families one. 2nd 
SMS has given our family so much support, when we first moved to Newport from the UK 5 years ago...

Preschool and 2nd Grade Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:11:55-04:00

Preschool and 2nd Grade Parent

Jade Gilchrist SMS has given our family so much support, when we first moved to Newport from the UK 5 years ago and when we moved back after being away for 18 months. The school was invaluable in making our son feel welcome and cared for and included back into 
Teachers never stop teaching the whole student and the curriculum. Every teacher answers my son’s questions every time. Because my...

7th Grade Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2019-10-25T09:12:47-04:00

7th Grade Parent

7th Grade Parent Teachers never stop teaching the whole student and the curriculum. Every teacher answers my son’s questions every time. Because my son’s teachers are so supportive and always help him before he falls, my son trusts his teachers as leaders. 7th Grade Parent St. Michael's Country Day School 
We came to St. Michael’s for two reasons - the incredible arts programs that the school has, and for Phil...

Prekindergarten, 5th, and 7th Grade Parent

St. Michael's Country Day School
5.0
2017-03-13T11:54:16-04:00

Prekindergarten, 5th, and 7th Grade Parent

Jeff Gerring We came to St. Michael’s for two reasons - the incredible arts programs that the school has, and for Phil Tutino.  Too many schools are cutting back on their arts programs, but St. Michael’s understands the value of balancing rigorous academic study with a foundation in the arts. 
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St. Michael's Country Day School

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