Google Calendar available for Mason Public Schools

By CHRISTIE BLECK
cbleck@lsj.com
January 31, 2011
From Ingham County Community News

MASON - Mason Public Schools (MPS) has made the change to a Web-based calendar program, Google Calendar.

To simplify the online calendar process, the district has implemented the new technology that allows users access to district and building calendars from any computer with Internet access.

Through a free Google account, parents can personalize their calendars by adding particular building calendars to the accounts.

For example, parents with students at Alaiedon Elementary School, Mason Middle School and Mason High School can draw three calendars from these schools into an account and look at them in one space.
Users can personalize their calendars at home too.

"Google Calendar affords you that opportunity," said Ted Berryhill, instructional support teacher and technology coach.

Berryhill said that data that staff inputs is updated quickly. He also said he hopes that teachers will embrace the new system and include classroom events on the calendars.

Google Calendar, Berryhill noted, allows district and building calendars to be embedded directly into Web sites. To see the calendars, visit http://www.mason.k12.mi.us/ and click on the Calendars/Events tab.

They also can be viewed at the Web site, www.mason curriculum.weebly.com, by clicking on the Home tab and proceeding to the tab marked District Calendars.

Anyone interested in learning more about Google Calendar is invited to a professional development night from 7-8 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Mason High School Media Center.

Those interesting in exploring Google Calendar on their own should visit www. mason curriculum.weebly.com/district-calendars.html.

"The implementation of Google Calendar is one step in a concerted effort to use technology to improve and expand communication with our district stakeholders," said Mark Dillingham, superintendent.

Google Calendar, the full implementation of the Honeywell Instant Alert System this past fall, Facebook pages for Mason High and Mason Summit High School and online scheduling for students and their parents at Mason High School are recent examples of increasing the use of technology to improve communication, Dillingham said.