The digital age in the classroom is taking a major step forward locally in the form of the Athens City Schools Power Up program.

The plan is to provide each student in the school system access to a digital device during the school year. Some will have access to a device at home.

Power Up will allow the Athens City Schools district to provide a challenging, dynamic academic program that integrates the best of traditional education with new and emerging technologies, according to ACS Technology Coordinator Dr. Chris Hamilton.

Hamilton believes creative teaching strategies combined with engaging technology tools will empower students and teachers to reach the highest standards of educational excellence.

The goal of the Power Up program is to strengthen the communication, collaboration and creative ability for students in all classes.

Teachers in the school system have been using MacBooks all year. Athens students in grades 7-12 will pick up their devices — a district-owned MacBook Air — starting the week of July 28.

The program does come with a student fee. Athens students will pay a $50 user fee for the first child and $40 per child for families with multiple children in the school district. Financial help is available to low-income families.

To receive a device, middle school students and parents must attend an orientation session, sign all required forms and pay the required user fees.

The Power Up program is funded through the city’s 1-cent sales tax. The school district is receiving 20 percent of the tax for Power Up, which will cost more than $2 million over the next four years.

“During the 2013-2014 school year, teachers attended approximately 1,900 hours of professional development sessions to learn ways to integrate the technology into the curriculum,” Dr. Hamilton said. “We have been so impressed with the commitment being exhibited by our teachers. In addition to everything else they have to do, they are attending professional development sessions — most of which have been after school hours — and are excited about learning how to use the new technology.”

To find out more about Power Up, visit http://www.acs-k12.org/powerup.

The website includes information about the program, including frequently asked questions, copies of handbooks and forms, device basics, resources and information on digital citizenship such as privacy and security, Internet safety, cyberbullying and more. The website also includes the purpose of the initiative and implementation plan. 

Online payment system

In addition to the Power Up program launch, Athens City Schools also announced the launch of a new online payment system.

According to Hamilton, the initial website will be for Central Office fees such as the computer usage fee for the Power Up program, preschool tuition, or out-of-zone tuition to mention a few.

The goal is to implement the new system for all schools fee payments during the first semester of the upcoming school year.

It is the desire of the school system to provide an alternative method to pay school fees, which is convenient for parents, according to Hamilton.

As with most online payment systems there will be a convenience fee of $2 for each transaction.

The new system can be accessed through a link on the Athens City Schools website at http://www.acs-k12.org/epay or by visiting https://athenscityal.csiepay.com.