FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. GREGORY PREPARES FACULTY & STUDENTS FOR 21ST CENTURY SUCCESS

St. Gregory College Preparatory School kicks off a 21st Century Initiative  with more than $250,000 in technological upgrades and visits from Ken Kay and Alan November, internationally recognized experts in 21st century educational design. 

Inspired by St. Gregory’s mission, the 21st Century Initiative provides campus-wide technological upgrades and professional development opportunities for faculty and administrators.  

“The initiative is simple,” explains St. Gregory’s headmaster, Bill Creeden.  “St. Gregory remains committed to providing a college preparatory program that stands in the tradition of the finest independent schools in the country.  At the same time, we recognize that to be competitive in a rapidly changing global marketplace students must have new knowledge skills to lead and thrive in the 21st century.”   21st century skills include such things as: global awareness, economic and entrepreneurial proficiency, ITC and media literacy, critical thinking, citizenship, communications, collaboration, and creativity.  

Technological upgrades during the 2006/2007 school year include: 25 SmartBoards, 24 computer projectors, a mobile computer lab with 21 laptops, 52 new computers for faculty and student use, PASCO science probes, web-based library catalogue, new academic software, multimedia equipment in the theater, and upgraded computer labs.  All St. Gregory classrooms will be equipped with SmartBoards or computer projectors by the end of the school year.

 “Thanks to some very generous donations, St. Gregory has committed over a quarter-of-a-million dollars to technology this year,” says Creeden.  “However, the benefits of these state-of-the-art resources will not be fully realized unless faculty, administrators, and students develop the skills to use the technology effectively and creatively as a tool for learning that will enrich and advance our curriculum.” 

To that end, St. Gregory has implemented a professional training program that brings speakers and workshops to the school’s campus for faculty and students.  Opportunities are also available for faculty and administrators to attend national conferences on brain research and learning, wellness, independent schools, character and leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

On April 12, 2007, Ken Kay, chairman and founder of Infotech Strategies, Inc. and president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, spoke to both students and faculty and staff members on incorporating technology into K-12 curriculum. For more information about Ken Kay visit www.itstrategies.com/bios/kay/htm

On April 26, 2007 Alan November, an internationally recognized leader in education technology and founder of November Learning provided workshops for students, faculty, and parents about expanding the boundaries of education through the use of technology.  For more information about Alan November visit www.alannovember.com

“The ultimate goal of the 21st Century Initiative,” Creeden explains, “is not only that St. Gregory set the standard for 21st century education in southern Arizona for the benefit of our students, but that the school serve as a collaborative resource to the Tucson community by providing forward thinking information, workshops, and other educational opportunities.”

St. Gregory College Preparatory School is an independent, coed day school for grades 6-12.  St. Gregory has no religious affiliation.  It is the only school in southern Arizona accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. 

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