By Jane Meggitt, Special Writer
MILLSTONE Schools Superintendent Scott Feder, who assumed his job in August, says he is tired of being “inundated” with paper fliers.
At the Sept. 26 Board of Education meeting, Mr. Feder announced that he wants the schools to stop sending printed announcements home with students by the time the next school year begins in September 2012. Instead, parents would get the information their children now carry home in their backpacks through the school district’s website, www.millstone.k12.nj.us, or LISTSERV e-mails.
The district’s technology specialist, David Tuccillo, is working to make this paperless project a reality, Mr. Feder said. Eliminating most of the papers sent home is part of the district’s efforts to go “green” and be environmentally responsible.
Mr. Feder said there are now five parent volunteers looking at the school district’s website to see how the district might make it easier to use. The goal is to eliminate all papers sent home, except those that must be signed and returned, he said. If parents still want to receive announcements via paper handouts, rather than view the information electronically, they may request fliers, Mr. Feder said.
Board member Margaret Gordon said that some parents, herself included, may need a “nudge” to remember to check the website on a daily basis. She suggested sending parents an automatic e-mail to remind them to visit the website.
Ms. Gordon said that, otherwise, many busy parents who work all day and have other things to do will “get behind the curve” about visiting the website and learning about important upcoming events.
At an earlier meeting, Mr. Feder said he would like paperless report cards issued for all students except those in the primary school. Instead parents of students in grades 3-8 would log into the website with their own individual password in order to view their child’s grades, report card, and other information.
As with the paperless backpacks, parents who prefer paper report cards could request that they continue to receive them, he said.
