Decorah Schools open Tuesday

Decorah Schools open on Tuesday and the beginning of the year always brings some "newness." decorahnews.com has selected some of the big and very visible changes to highlight that students and parents will experience as the new year begins.

1. The completed renovation of Decorah High School. Students have been patiently shuffling around the renovation for some time, and now the project is virtually complete. Beyond the last classrooms to be finished, students will be greeted by spacious and attractive hallways, completed terrazzo flooring, and newly carpeted entrances. Look for details on the scheduled Open House in early September.

2. Transformation of Claiborne Drive. The recently completed redesign of the awkward Claiborne Drive curve between the High School and John Cline now features a three way stop at a "T" intersection. John Cline drop-off will vastly improved, and the changes even produced more parking spaces. The new intersection will be much safer for pedestrian traffic in the area.

3. The transition to a "digital learning environment."  As the schools continue moves toward individual computers for every student, other very obvious additions will be seen as students arrive this year.

• 130 iPads and MacBook Airs to pilot in the Middle School, as well as 30 iPads to pilot in the High School
• 160 various sized, wall mounted televisions that will interact with the other computer devices. Among other obvious uses of television, imagine the teacher not having to cope with costly and inefficient projection systems, and simply being able to have their computer screen show up on a large flat screen television.
• 77 Smart Boards for use in all pre-K through 4th grade classrooms and selected other classrooms, Bluetooth wireless connections for the Smart Boards; and128 Smart Document Cameras for use in all classrooms.