No, the Science and Social Studies teachers of the district are not afflicted with an 8-legged parasite. It's TICT, not tick although the district office staff in charge of the program enjoys the arachnid analogy so we thought we would use it here.

If you are a student in the Science classes of Mr. Thompson, Mr. Rholl, Ms. Bazaz, Ms. Mickolajak, Ms. Jahnke or Ms. Trouth you will see new technology used over the next few months. Ms. Elmquist in Social Studies also signed up for the TICT initiative. TICT stands for Technology Integration Collaborative Teachers which is a wordy enough name that even a buggy sounding achronym is preferred. Each "TICT Cadre member", as they are called, receives a projector that hooks up to their computer and/or VCR/DVD player. A speaker is also included in the package as well as cables to hook the system up. Over the years, the Osseo district has tried to piecemeal technology display systems into the budget. Many teachers have brought in building TVs or projection systems when they needed them for a given lesson. The new initiative seeks to make technology an 'every day, every hour' part of the TICT's classroom.

Ninety teachers will be involved in the program across the Osseo district this year, impacting 261 classrooms. The 3 year plan targets Social and Science teachers 7-12 and 4th and 5th grade teachers in the elementary schools. Teachers voluntarily signed up for the program and are required to spend 15 hours of their own time on training in exchange for using the equipment and new technology programs in their classrooms. All equipment remains the property of the school district but it to be used by the TICT in their classroom instruction.

The TICT initiative hopes that students see a significant change and improvement in how technology is used in the classroom. At Park Center, your science or social studies class may undergo a metamorphosis, to return to the bug theme, in the method of instruction. Thanks to the TICT members for bringing the technology of the new initiative to Park Center.