Posted March 1, 2010

Welcome to the new www.southcolonieschools.org

www.southcolonieschools.org has taken on a new life. The South Colonie Central School District web site, first launched back in 2001, has been completely redesigned and re-launched in early March.

Technology has certainly changed in nine years and the district is ready to take full advantage of everything it has to offer. At the turn of the century, for example, 5 percent of the world was using the Internet. Today, that number has grown to 30 percent. What will the next 10 years bring as today’s “digital natives” graduate and enter the work force?

When web sites were first designed, much like South Colonie’s, they were put together by “technical minds” and seen as a technical tool. Today, web sites have become a news and information tool. Every business, school district and organization has one, and when people are seeking information, they most often turn to web sites today.

“Your web site, in effect, is your frontline employee,” said John Noetzel, South Colonie Communications Coordinator and webmaster. “It today’s ‘techno’ world, the web is the face of your schools district and the public’s first impression of you.”

The district Information Technology Department had been working for about a year with the Capital Region BOCES Communications Service to create a new web site that is visually modern and user friendly while keeping the district’s longstanding traditions in place.

“We wanted to keep what our users liked from the first site and address what needed improvement,” Noetzel said.

Because the site was redesigned and content inputted by the BOCES Communications Service through an existing contract, the work was done at no extra cost to the district, saving thousands of dollars. The district also relied on Communications Service to produce a site that meets today’s industry standards for use by viewers with disabilities and by those using multiple web browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.

The site also meets the major characteristics today’s users say they want in a web site, that it is: useful and responds to their needs, easy to navigate, has quality content and is updated frequently with new information.

Prior to the new site launch, the district invited a variety of South Colonie stakeholders to view the site and provide input. These stakeholders included administrators, school board members, teachers, PTA members, parents, guidance counselors, librarians, students and others.

So what’s so new about the site?

The first thing viewers will notice after logging on is a large, full-color revolving photo slide show featuring South Colonie students in action. The slide show will change periodically to feature various programs and events like art shows, competitions and graduation. A special photo gallery feature will enable views to click through other slide shows featuring various classroom and school activities.

Entire new sections have also been added to the web site including extensive Human Resources pages, staff resources, school safety, parent resources, academics, food services, the arts, energy management, district departments, special education and more. These pages include helpful pdf forms and publications available for download as well as links to other supporting outside web sites.

Other features include student art galleries, event calendars, email hyperlinks to district staff, an A-Z quick reference guide and easy-to-navigate scroll bars on the pages. Future features will include video and teacher information pages.

Once you have reviewed the new site give us your feedback. We'd love to hear what you think!