Not all field trips require a school bus.

New to MCPS this year are video conferencing systems that have allowed classrooms to visit with college representatives, guest speakers, or even other schools across the district. Purchased through a federal grant, each system includes two 75” interactive flat panel screens, one of which has a camera and speaker system attached so that schools can set up video conference calls.

Recently, ESL students at Marion County High School met virtually with representatives from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College using the systems. One of those ECTC representatives spoke to the students in their first language to help them better understand what steps they would need to take if they planned to attend college.

Earlier this school year, a STEM class at Marion County Middle School spoke to students at Calvary Elementary about the types of projects they work on including using a 3-D printer.

During the district’s Reading Celebration Week, young adult author Courtney Stevens gave an in-person presentation to students at Marion County High Schools, but also interacted with students at Marion County Knight Academy who joined the session through a video chat.

The systems are designed to allow more freedom for presenters. The wide camera angle allows a presenter to move across the room and the camera also has an option that tracks the speaker as he or she moves.

Each school in the district received at least one of these systems, which are on rolling carts so they can be easily moved throughout the building.

A handful of community partners also received the systems with the hope that teachers and students could have on-going collaborative projects involving local businesses and organizations.

Marion County High School senior Caitlynn Brady is the subject of the next Student Ambassador Spotlight. This is Caitlynn's second year as a Student Ambassador and she is also a member of the group's Executive Council.

Watch the video below to find out more about Caitlynn's experience as a Student Ambassador.

There will be no school in MCPS starting Monday, December 18 for the district's Winter Break. Students will return to class on January 3 with teachers returning on January 2 for a Staff Development Day. You can view the entire school calendar here.

The next MCPS Board of Education meeting will take place Thursday, December 14 at Marion County High School at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the school's library.