A few quick updates for you:
1. Online Tools Opt-Out Form - The Technology Department in conjunction with the principals and curriculum leaders are working on an Online Tools Opt-Out form to send home to families. The purpose of this form is two-fold: to increase our communication with families around the online tools that students are using in the district; and to provide families with an option to opt-out of any online tool. The opt-out form covers the tools wherein the district creates and manages accounts for teachers/students; such as Lexia, Raz-Kids, Symphony Math...
I have added two titles to the list that I will manage. They are Digital Passport, which will be used in grades 3rd-5th; and Code.Org (Code Studio) which will be used in 1st-5th.
Please remember to complete the software request form if you have a website you'd like your students to use where you need to create accounts. Once the new tool is approved, it is your responsibility to get parent permission before creating accounts. Please let me know if I can assist you in this process.
2. Hour of Code: This year Hour of Code is from December 8th - 14th. Like last year, students in grades 1st-5th will participate during technology class. One new area this year is a curriculum at Code Studio which is part of Code.org. Student progress will be tracked while using their curriculum. As long as parents don't object, I will be creating accounts for students at Code.org. This item has been included in the Online Tools Opt-Out form being sent home this month.
3. iPad Updates: It's time to bite the bullet and update our iPads to iOS 8. Joe and I would like to update all iPads by December. Help us meet this goal! Please use this google doc to sign-up for a time slot so we can update your classroom and/or teacher iPads. More information is provided on the sign-up doc.
4. Tech 1-to-1 Day: The next Tech Day is on Thursday, November 13th - WOW that's this week. If you are interested in working together this Thursday, November 13th, then please sign up via Doodle. We can work together with your students on a classroom project or 1-to-1 on a topic of your choice. A sub will be in to relieve so please have lesson plans ready. After you sign-up, please leave a comment in the doodle form so I know what you'd like to work on together. Thanks.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.