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Statement of Philosophy

The primary mission of the Charles H. McCann Technical School is to provide excellent academic and technical education leading toward gainful employment in a skilled trade, post-secondary education, retraining which may lead to advancement or competence in a new or different occupational skill, and certification or state licensure.

The School Committee, the administration, and the faculty strongly believe that we must develop our students to their full potential as individuals by training them in the various skills, crafts, and technologies as well as leading them toward an appreciation of literature, the arts, and rewarding leisure time activities. For this reason, education in citizenship and community leadership accompany the academic instruction and technical training. We accept individuals with different abilities, educational experiences, and talents, and help them achieve specific occupational, technical, and academic objectives. The curriculum provides a balance between the specialized education in the arts of the craftsperson and the general education of the citizen.

The school assists each student to develop a positive set of values and a sense of self-worth. It also recognizes that education is a life-long process and encourages each student to pursue higher education and an understanding of the world in which (s)he lives.

Objectives

• To develop respect and tolerance for humanity
• To develop respect for and understanding of self.
• To develop the ability to work efficiently and effectively as an individual and a team member
• To develop the ability to work well with men and women from diverse backgrounds.
• To develop a professional attitude that fosters cooperation with fellow workers and management.
• To develop an understanding of labor and management roles.
• To develop pride in one's work and the workplace.
• To develop individual self-reliance, self-discipline, integrity, responsibility, and the work ethic.
• To develop specific skills and related knowledge associated with the occupation involved.
• To provide training to match technological advances.
• To develop the ability to solve problems and make decisions.
• To develop strong occupational safety programs and practices.
• To develop an appreciation for literature, the arts, and rewarding leisure time activitiies.
• To provide for the health and physicial education of all students.
• To aid in developing civic responsibility and a set of values.
• To encourage each student to be goal-oriented.
• To encourage students to strive toward self actualization.

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District Technology Plan Goals

Technology Mission Statement

At C.H. McCann Technical School we believe that lifelong learning supported by the effective use of technology is essential for all students and staff. Through the understanding and use of administrative and instructional technology, C.H. McCann Technical High School will:

• improve student learning and achievement, thus better preparing students for employment in today's technological world;
• promote and enhance the skills, knowledge, and performance of teachers;
• improve the effectiveness of the total school community in meeting the technological challenges of the 21st century.

Technology Vision Statement

• Technology will aid all of our students in becoming skilled, knowledgeable, independent, and self-directed learners better prepared for the world of work and a lifetime of learning. Global telecommunications through LAN and WAN networks and satellite transmissions will allow access to and sharing of text, sound, video, and graphics information electronically, irrespective of where the information is physically located.
• Access to technology will be provided equitably across grade levels, within classrooms and shops, and for all student populations. Learning will be interdisciplinary, cooperative, interactive, and individualized to the greatest extent possible. Opportunities will be provided for all learners to access and use information to think more critically, communicate more clearly, and solve problems more analytically.
• Comprehensive and continuous staff development relative to the use of technology will be provided to teachers, administrators, and support staff. All teachers will be technologically literate and have access to adequate technology resources to assure that they are able to maximize the potential of technology to enhance teaching and learning in support of Education Reform.
• Students, having used technology on a regular basis as an integral component of a curriculum which fully incorporates the Common Core of Learning, will be prepared for opportunities, problems, and challenges they will meet in their respective communities. Technology will create a seamless electronic environment independent of time, place, and subject discipline. Learners will be able to study and access information in a global setting in school and at home via telecommunications linkages to the schools. All students will develop the knowledge, skills, and values to be lifelong learners.
• Technology will help teachers to facilitate learning in an environment where students are active participants in what and how they learn. Students, via classroom and library media center technological resources, will focus on the acquisition of critical thinking and problem solving skills through the use of an interdisciplinary curriculum supported by world-wide telecommunications systems. Teachers will have unlimited and immediate access to technology resources and world-wide information sources in their classrooms and libraries.
• The vocational programs will remain dynamic, staying abreast of technological advances in the relevant industries, thereby equipping students with skills they will need to bring to their future careers. Interdisciplinary, project-based learning will incorporate state-of-the-art technology and foster teamwork across vocational departments. As a technical high school, McCann will adopt a leadership role in incorporating technological advances (such as computer control of shop equipment and computerized simulations of potentially dangerous processes) into the vocational curriculum at the high school and post-secondary levels.
• The Library Media Center will be a primary locus for integrated interdisciplinary learning activities. The LMC will support the academic and vocational priorities of the school via a collaborative and cooperative working relationship with teachers and other personnel. Appropriate electronic technologies will enhance the existing print and non-print resources. As new technologies emerge, the Library Media Specialist will assist staff in integrating these technologies into all aspects of their teaching and staff development.
• Administrators, teachers, and professional staff will use technology more effectively to share knowledge and problem-solving techniques with colleagues and to communicate with the school community. The connection between the school and home will be strengthened through telecommunications. Homes will be electronically linked to the school for academic communication and general information.
• Technology will enhance and improve the administration of our school by providing administrators access to the information they require to make complex instructional and administrative decisions.