“Dedicated to Continuous Improvement” is the motto of Sampson County Schools and with success in classrooms, the local system is also making strides online by revamping its website.

For the upgrade, school leaders worked together to provide a sleeker and more convenient presence on the web. Mary Lynn Warren, instructional technology coordinator, said one of the purposes is to provide easier access to features. Some of the new highlights are lunch menus, portals for parents and easy access to social media links.

“We liked the way the information is concise and clearly laid out on the screen,” Warren said about visitors finding information. “It’s pretty much all there.”

One of the highlights is a consistent style that matches school sites. In the process, parents can now find information from multiple schools on one location. Each school has a Twitter account, which is embedded on every school page.

“Some teachers have a Twitter account and that’s a wonderful way to promote what’s going on in your classroom and in the district,” Warren said. “It’s a good way to reach out and keep people in touch.”

So far, Warren and school official have received positive feedback from the teachers and administrators who’ve been editing the website.

“They find it to be user-friendly and it’s visually pleasing,” Warren said.

Unlike the old website, SCS’s four districts (Hobbton, Lakewood, Midway and Union) will be recognized through many pictures. So far, some of the examples include a picture of Garland’s downtown and other areas throughout Sampson County.

School officials began working on the website four months ago by connecting with Schoolwires, a content management system transferring data. The previous website is about five years old.

“We’re looking forward to this one,” Warren said.

Teachers are being trained in the summer and will have their own pages, which include their pictures, background information, education and teacher mission statements.

“Every teacher page will be the same as far as information presented on it, but they are free to branch out and use the web for their homework (and other school related functions),” Warren said. “It has has a lot of features that allow teachers to extend beyond the walls of their classroom, 24/7, because students can access it at home.”

Warren said more important will be added in the future to improve online relationships with the community.

“Communication is key to support, knowing what’s going on with your child or teachers and education in the district,” she said. “It is a wonderful way to keep everyone informed and between the web, Facebook, Twitter, email, video chatting — we try to reach out and take every opportunity to increase communication and collaboration with our stakeholders.”

SCS is in the process of finalizing an official web address. In the meantime, it can be accessed by visiting the homepage of the old website, www.sampson.k12.nc.us.

Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.

By Chase Jordan

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Administrative assistant Stephanie Smith works on a new website for Sampson County Schools. When it’s officially up, she will be responsible for elementary, middle and high school curriculum.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Web_Training_2-1.jpgAdministrative assistant Stephanie Smith works on a new website for Sampson County Schools. When it’s officially up, she will be responsible for elementary, middle and high school curriculum.

Technology coordinators Lori Monk and Mary Lynn Warren are in the process of putting the final touches on Sampson County Schools’ new website.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_Lori_Mary-1.jpgTechnology coordinators Lori Monk and Mary Lynn Warren are in the process of putting the final touches on Sampson County Schools’ new website.

The homepage for Sampson County Schools’ website.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_SCS_Homepage-1.jpgThe homepage for Sampson County Schools’ website.