Local News
Diocese Readies to Implement Network that Will Enhance Classroom Experience
Imagine a classroom where students can perform science experiments with their counterparts in Australia or immerse themselves in virtual images of the Serengeti. Imagine a classroom where teachers can upload books from a virtual library, and where high school seniors can participate in remote learning to earn college credits.
Those dreams will start to become reality in the 2010-2011 school year, thanks to the efforts of the Diocesan Education Technology Committee and a $1.72 million grant for a wide area network (WAN).
A wide area network is a computer network that covers a broad area, such as a geographic region. In the Diocese of Harrisburg, 37 schools will be connected through a WAN that promises distance learning and videoconferencing capabilities.
“This is a very exciting opportunity for our schools,” remarked Livia Riley, Diocesan Superintendent. “We are the first non-public entity in Pennsylvania to connect through a wide area network.”
“Our students will be able to interact with students throughout the world, and I think this will change the style of teaching,” she said.
 She also noted that the technology will allow educators to take part in virtual meetings and share resources with one another in real time. Additionally, the diocese is partnering with Immaculata University in Immaculata, Pa., to offer remote learning for professional development of teachers, and for students to receive high school and college credits.
The path toward enhancing classroom education in the diocese has been a lengthy and arduous process that involved partnerships with two intermediate units to receive the grant money.
The diocese first partnered with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit 15 for a planning grant, and later partnered with the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 for an implementation grant, noted Christine Schwartz, Manager of the Diocesan Office of Information Technology.
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St. John the Baptist School to Open for 2010-2011 Academic Year
The 2010-2011 school year will usher in the opening of the first new Catholic school in the Diocese of Harrisburg in several decades.
St. John the Baptist Parish in New Freedom, which has been successfully operating a preschool program for children ages 2-5, will open a Catholic elementary school this fall.
The school will begin the 2010-2011 academic year with kindergarten, first and second grades. In subsequent years, it will add one grade level, up to sixth grade.
 
“There is a real Catholic presence here in New Freedom, and this school will offer another avenue for transmitting the faith,” said Father Sylvan Capitani, pastor of the southern York County parish.
The establishment of St. John the Baptist School is an endeavor for which the parish has been planning for quite some time.
When the parish first requested permission from Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo in 2000 to build a new parish center, ideas were already in place to establish an elementary school there.
The parish center, which Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades blessed five years ago, offers 16 spacious classrooms, a computer room, library, kitchen and remodeled auditorium.
The facility currently houses the parish’s religious education program, which includes nearly 600 students.
“We feel that this is the best time in our parish history to make a viable school,” said Father Capitani. He said the dedication and support of the school board, parish council, finance committee and the parish community have helped turned the dream of a school into a reality. Read Story...