Other - Nesterenko Software
I began developing these Nesterenko Software 'School Reporting Assistant' apps in 2005
and have been distributing them throughout Ontario, Canada.
I was involved with timetabling at Peterborough Collegiate (PCVS) for many years.
Most schools at the time had a small room dedicated to timetabling or had a Timetabling Peg Board that was brought out each year. In our case, we would have 5 people in the timetabling room for a week building the timetable. A note was put on the door which indicated that we were not to be disturbed except in an absolute emergency. In those days there were no cell phones, no email. It was nice!
In 2005, when we transitioned to 'Trillium®' from 'SAS®', we were told we would no longer need the Timetabling Peg Board which we had always used to 'see' the timetable as we built it. It was indicated that the new School Administration System would have various 'visual' reports built into the program.
When we began to build our school timetable in 2005, it became immediately apparent that the 'visual' reports were not adequate, to say the least.
Some schools in our School Board brought the Timetabling Peg Board back out - they had put them away because of anticipation of needed reports in the new School Administration System.
I went home and spent the weekend creating a 'Microsoft Access®' application which turned the extracted Master Schedule CSV data into a 'visual' 2-dimensional Master Schedule Report. That was a breakthrough. The Master Schedule Report was a saviour for us.
The app has evolved immensely since then, but the most commonly-used report - Master Schedule Report - is still the cornerstone of the app.
For several years, I shared the app with other schools in KPRDSB.
Upon retirement in 2010, I began to market the app. I was extremely fortunate to arrange a meeting with the President of the Ontario School Counselors Association at the time at Lester B. Pearson High School in Burlington, ON. I demonstrated the app to her (I believe she was initially skeptical.) We imported her school Master Schedule CSV data into the app. I still recall her reaction when she took one look at the Master Schedule Report - she was incredulous - she said
"We've been asking Trillium for these reports for years!"
That was a breakthrough for me and opened a few doors.
I have not done any 'marketing'. Rather, most customers come via word-of-mouth. I had a friend in London who showed a sample Master Schedule Report to his Principal. Similarly a friend in Ottawa. A friend in Kingston. Others have come from regional user-groups or Guidance groups where a customer has mentioned the app to others. Most customers return year after year.
What else might you be looking for?
Creating a 'Field Set' to extract MasterSchedule.csv data from Aspen®.
Click this link:
How to Create Field Set and Extract Master Schedule.csv data
FAQ
'Nesterenko' is a unique name - Where did it come from?
When chatting with users, the question is often asked "What is the significance of 'Nesterenko?"
Many years ago, playing Men's League hockey, a teammate who was a big Chicago Blackhawks fan hung the nickname 'Eric Nesterenko' on me.
Eric played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 50's and 60's. The nickname stuck.
Years later, when I would create variious educational 'Typing Invaders-type' apps and 'Test-Writer' apps etc. for my students,
I started referring to the apps as 'Nesterenko Software' ('Mr. Self Software' didn't have a very good 'ring' to it.)
So, following retirement when I began to market these apps, 'Nesterenko Software' became the name that has stuck.
A 'funny' story - One day I was walking through the office at Peterborough Collegiate (PCVS) where I taught. Someone in the office said 'Hi' to me and referred to me as 'Eric' or 'Nesterenko'
or 'Nesty' or similar. My principal came out of her office with a very odd look on her face. She said "'Eric Nesterenko?' - are you referring to the hockey player?".
"Yes" - And I briefly explained the origin of the nickname. She said "Eric Nesterenko used to have dinner at my house when I was a child."
She went on to explain that when her father was the Team Doctor for the Toronto Maple Leafs he would often have the rookies etc. over for dinner.
Eric played a couple of years for the Leafs - then played many years for the Chicago Blackhawks.
She was quite young at the time. She really enjoyed Eric. And she remains a huge Leafs fan.
Such a small world!
