Roosevelt Middle School Receives Recognition as an Apple Distinguished School

River Forest’s Roosevelt Middle School has received recognition from technology leader Apple, Inc. as an Apple Distinguished School. This is the second time Roosevelt has been recognized by Apple, Inc., with this two-year designation (2017-19). The award recognizes Roosevelt and District 90’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation by embedding technology across the entire school environment including teaching and learning.

Evidence of Roosevelt’s comprehensive use of technology is broad and varied including one-to-one iPad for all students and MacBook and iPad devices for teachers. For example, students are able to reflect, summarize, or synthesize their learning via word processing with Pages, and to record their voice and pen strokes to show how they solve math problems. They have used technology to produce comics about Shakespeare and the Declaration of Independence, and created webs to show relationships between historical events. For teachers, professional development opportunities range from whole group events such as an Apple Teacher training day to 15- minute Quick Dip sessions, monthly “Thrilling Thursday” workshops, or one-on-one coaching.

“Roosevelt’s recognition reaffirms the district’s efforts to leverage the benefits and power of technology to advance student learning,” said Ed Condon, Superintendent of District 90. “Our Technology Plan articulates the District’s commitment to remaining on the leading edge of using technology across the entire curriculum and school experience as we prepare students for 21st Century learning and development,” Condon explained.

“At Roosevelt, we use a multi-faceted school-wide approach that encourages continuous learning among staff that promotes a greater understanding of technology’s capabilities for both students and teachers,” said Roosevelt Principal Larry Garstki. “Beyond the classroom, we also actively engage parents and families in the process of leveraging technology. For instance, parents are invited to attend technology information nights at the start of the school year. Parents and have access to a “Tech Tips” website to support iPad use at home, and both students and parents receive Internet Safety Training,” Garstki said.

District 90’s Technology Director Kevin Martin explained, “Roosevelt students and faculty have readily embraced Roosevelt’s use of technology. This attitude, along with the District’s commitment to technology-supported instruction, creates an environment that advances rigorous classroom instruction while instilling a love of learning and preparing students for 21st Century college and career opportunities.

You can download a copy of Roosevelt's 2017- 2019 technology initiative iBook here. (Please note: This book is available for download with iBooks on your Mac or iPad, and with iTunes on your computer. Multi-touch books can be read with iBooks on your Mac or iPad. Books with interactive features may work best on an iPad. iBooks on your Mac requires OS X 10.9 or later.)