Peabody Schools aim for the cutting edge

PEABODY-Peabody High School Principal Ed Sapienza is determined to bring his facility back onto the technological playing ground, and he has quite a few tricks up his sleeve to do it.?We became a state-of-the-art school through the 1980s,” he said. “We were one of the first schools to have a network?But when the recession hit and grant money slowed down in the ’90s, we fell behind a bit. Now, we’re playing catch-up.”Sapienza has long been known as the “tech person” in the building, having taught many computer science courses in his career. He said he’s always seen the need to bump up the school’s resources, but didn’t get the push he needed until results of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges report came back in September.The report cited the school for its lagging technology in science courses and for the use in general instruction, said Sapienza. Preparing for such results, Sapienza asked for more funds in the equipment budget with the intention of amping up technology.So far, $40,000 has been put into the TV production studio.?It’s back on track again,” said Sapienza. “But it still needs more. At least I’ve got the students back in the ballgame.”Thirty-one multi-media carts have recently been purchased and used throughout the school. Each portable cart features a high-definition overhead projection with the capability to be synched with a laptop and connect to the Internet. Only a few teachers have classroom laptops, but Sapienza said he is working on obtaining more for each math, science, English and social studies classroom.He’s also ordering more interactive SMART Boards.?Imagination is the only limitation with the way you use these things,” he said. “Teachers and department heads have been amazed at what they can do. They allow us to to reach out to more kids and get more information out in a very modern way.”Sapienza hopes to make all such improvements by Nov. 1, just in time for his rebuttal to the NEASC report.?We want them to know we’re not only taking their advice, but we’re taking it very seriously,” he said. “I personally intend to work with teachers to teach them how to do presentations to really spice up what they do day to day. I’m trying to remedy a need.”All such improvements are covered by the high school’s budget, but some supplemental money is also being used. Sapienza said he has set up a gift account for anyone wishing to donate to the school. Those willing to make contributions can do so by mailing a check to the school for the sole purpose of the gift account.?I’ll make sure we really get a lot of bang for that buck,” he said.