Instructional Technology Services Richland County School District One
Volume 5, Issue 1 Fall 2012
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Featured Author
Good News! RIF Program Continues Richland One’s RIF—READING IS FUNDAMENTAL Program is alive and well for the 2012-2013 school year. In spite of the loss of federal funding the district’s twentyseven RIF sites will continue to operate. Several funding sources have been leveraged to provide new books for the district’s award-winning RIF program. They include Macy’s Funded Book Program, the Office of RIF’s New Logo Curriculum and Instruction and Office of Budget Services along with the Richland One Board of School Commissioners. Plan to attend a RIF distribution this school year and see the difference this literacy program makes in motivating students to read and develop their personal home libraries. We appreciate everyone in the Richland One family who supported the Be Book Smart Campaign at Macy’s this summer.
Shane Evans Reading Rocks September 29, 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Director ......... 2 Educators & iDevices ... 2 Reading Rocks 2012 ..... 3 Destiny Update .............. 3 Tech Ed Workshops ..... 3 Department Updates .... 4 News and Notes ............. 5 People and Places .......... 6 We Are Proud of ........... 7 Visual Literacy Festival 7 Calendar of Events ....... 8
Common Core State Standards School library media centers figure prominently in the transition to Common Core State Standards. The focus on literacy, informational text, writing and research are all central to the services and resources provided through a quality library media center. Providing quality collections, collaborations and authentic literacy experiences will ensure a smooth transition. The year’s professional development focus is the Common Core State Standards and will be supported by several professional texts and presenters. A number of Richland One’s information technology specialists attended a special Common Core State Standards Workshop hosted by the S. C. AsCommon Core Workshop sociation of School Librarians and the Department Attendees of Education on June 14. An additional session will be held on October 5 presented by the Unit of Literacy and Early Learning at the Department of Education. Richland One will host a Common Core State Standards Workshop presented by Renaissance Learning on November 29 at Heyward Career Conference Center. Registration for this free oneday workshop will be available in October.
Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
From the Director Ida W. Thompson “Innovate, Integrate, Motivate: Preparing the 21st Century Learner” is the department’s 2012-2013 theme. The staff looks critically at district and department goals, national standards and data related to provided services in selecting a theme. The theme also serves to focus our efforts and challenge us to improve all aspects our work in support of improved student achievement. Without question, we must be innovative both in the design and delivery of services and resources, ensure that they are integrated into the overall district efforts and be engaging and motivating. The challenge of preparing students to be successful both today and into the future is an awesome responsibility and opportunity. We are committed to providing new learning options, maximizing collaborations and giving students the experiences with information and technology that will change their lives. It is important and valuable work that we are looking forward to. The major themes of Common Core State Standards integration, compliance with media center standards, operations, and policies and integration of emerging technologies will guide our efforts to innovate, integrate and motivate. All members of the Richland One learning community are invited to join us on this exciting journey.
Educators and iDevices on the Go Students and staff in Richland School District One are continuing their quest as iExplorers, delving into the many uses of mobile devices. Students are able to enhance their learning experiences by utilizing apps and other resources with Apple iPods and iPads. iDevices are being used to:
create exciting collaborative lessons for students.
access classroom announcements, homework assignments, test dates, and classroom resources with the eChalk Mobile App.
share classroom resources, provide after-hours homework assistance, and engage students in project-based learning activities with the Edmodo.
create QR Codes for content-aligned scavenger hunts for students.
conduct classroom observations by administrators.
Sets of iDevices are available through each technology educator to provide support for classroom activities and professional development for employees. Instructional Technology Services provides workshops and support throughout the year for iDevices and other technology to enhance classroom instruction.
Richland School District One
QR Code Research Lesson
Students at S. Kilbourne use iPods for Research
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Instructional Technology Services
Reading Rocks 2012 The 2012 Reading Rocks Literacy celebration is shaping up to be among the best yet. Award winning author/ illustrator, Shane Evans will make his debut appearance at Reading Rocks. His engaging characters, beautiful illustrations and musically infused presentations are sure to delight those in attendance.
Mark your calendars for a day of fun that includes performances by international students and teachers, free book distributions, games, community vendors, storytelling, local authors and much, much more.
Darion McCloud, one of Columbia’s most popular storytellers and model for Dave the Potter, will also attend. This year’s event will be hosted by Tyler Ryan of WACH-FOX and also features Shannon Ford, Miss South Carolina Teen USA.
Reading Rocks begins at 9:00 a.m. on the campus of Sanders Middle School with the annual literacy parade led by USC’s Cocky and members of Cocky’s Reading Express.
Destiny Upgrade Over the summer the library and media manager systems were upgraded to Destiny 10.1 with enhancements to support school-wide needs and maximize student learning and success. These include:
BRAND NEW: A mobile app for convenient 24/7 library access to Destiny Quest Better search results for students Student logins for Destiny Improved integration between ebooks and FollettShelf Increased control over Destiny Quest student social media comments Display of information in search results for social media links Ability to post titles to Facebook and Twitter from the Library Manager.
Stop by your school media center today and see how Destiny can make your teaching easier!
Public lists access
New Technology Education Workshops Check out some of the brand new titles being offered:
Creating and Editing Student Videos on iDevices QR Codes in the Classroom Infographics in Education Google Docs (Now Called Google Drive!) iDevices—Getting Started Edmodo StreamlineSC (Discovery Education Streaming) The Flipped Classroom
Register in Avatar Today!
Richland School District One
Save the date! for the Emerging Technologies Conference with Richland One and SCETV February 8-9, 2013
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Instructional Technology Services
Department Updates Media Center Collection Funding Increased The Richland One administration has increased funding in library media book budgets to $21 per student each year! Information technology specialists will use this extra funding to decrease the age of collections and to provide much needed materials that will support the Common Core
Curriculum Standards David Wendt, Follett Library Services, assisted by providing TitleMap reports to determine strengths and weaknesses of collections. With this data, important purchasing decisions will be made to ensure that collections are current and relevant. This additional
funding is a major step toward improving print collections.
Middle School Technology Camp Fifteen enthusiastic students attended the Middle School Technology Camp to learn all about mobile technology devices, tools, and applications. Students used iPads for research and note taking, as well as photography to create various projects throughout the week. Students visited IT-oLogy, a nonprofit organization in Columbia that hosts great technology events
for the community, and provides field studies for schools. While visiting IT-oLogy students learned how a robot was built and all about careers in the field of technology.
Lonnie Emard, director of IT-ology and the Middle School Campers
Students wrapped up the week by presenting movie trailers of the camp’s activities using iMovie they created on MacBooks. It was a fun-filled week for these iExplorers!
Visiting NASA Online Richland One Schools are continuing to take advantage of the many video conferences offered through NASA. This summer W.A. Perry hosted a Summer of Innovation program with NASA, providing learning opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. During the week students participated in three video conferences daily, learning about such topics as moon math, humans in space, and careers with NASA. Students
were delighted to view the video conference along with our very own Major General Charles Bolden, director of NASA and a former Richland One student, who attended the program in person. Other video conference projects are planned as the schools move into the new school year including a talk with an astronaut at Crayton Middle School, and Mapping the Moon with WALLE the space robot at W.S. Sandel Elementary School. Richland School District One
NASA video conferences are free of charge to schools and provide a wonderful source of STEM resources for students.
Major General Charles Bolden
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Instructional Technology Services
News and Notes Richland County Public Library News Be sure to read the library’s news magazine for the latest events and special services. Copies are sent to all school library media centers, principals, CRTs and reading teachers. It can also be accessed online at www.myrcpl.org. The library staff is excited about the expansions at the Eastover Branch library. Construction is underway and will provide a larger more functional facility.
RCPL has received a grant to help students and their families develop good savings habits. Growing Savers, funded in part by the American Library Association and FINRA Foundation, offers opportunities through special workshops and forums, contests and specially designed fun activities to promote fiscal responsibility.
who live outside of the county can also receive this special teacher card for just $10.00. Visit any branch of the library with your district ID to get your card.
Richland One teachers can apply for a free teacher card with a 60 item checkout limit. Teachers
News from the South Carolina State Library Thanks to the hard work of the State Library, Discus, South Carolina’s virtual library has been expanded to include many new databases and online tools. Through Discus, students and teachers have access to free online magazines, reference materials, maps, pictures, teacher resources
and much, much more. Visit http://www.scdiscus. org. The library has moved across the street from its long-standing location to 1500 Senate Street (the building with the two lions out front). Regular hours are 9:00 – 5:00 Monday-Friday. You can reach the staff at 734-8928.
The South Carolina Center for the Book announces the Annual Letters About Literacy Competition. Students are urged to enter by writing an essay about an author whose work has had an effect on their lives. Applications are available from all school media centers and the State Library.
Important Literacy Events and Celebrations
Banned Books Week Sept. 30 - Oct. 6 “30 Years of Liberating Literature”
Teen Read Week Oct. 14 - 20 Read for the Record October 4 LadyBug Girl and the Bug Squad South Carolina Book Award Program Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
People and Places Nancy Swanson (ITS) is a new technology educator. She served previously as a technology coach in Beaufort County. Sherry Shewmaker (Pine Grove) received a special gift bag from the American Red Cross for her media center’s efforts to collect funds for the HEROES program. Instructional Technology Services was also listed as a HERO for its efforts to both promote the program and collect monetary donations for the American Red Cross. Ida W. Thompson (ITS) represented the Richland County Board of Trustees at the Urban Libraries Conference and American Library Conference in June. Elizabeth Kohut and Dr. Dale Bosworth (ITS) attended the Annual ISTE – (International Society for Technology in Education) Conference in San Diego. They learned lots of exciting ways to enhance the department’s technology efforts. Gloria Coleman (C. A. Johnson) is serving on the SCASL Executive Board this year. Ida W. Thompson nominated the S. C. Book Award Program for the Annual Literacy Award sponsored by USC’s School of Library and Information Science’s S. C. Center for Children’s Books & Literacy. The awards program was hosted by Darci Strickland, from WLTX on September 11 in the Hollings Library. Cocky’s Reading Express made a visit to Watkins-Nance on September 14. This was a special event hosted by former USC student body leaders. The children thoroughly enjoyed the stories, the new books and Cocky.
New Information Technology Specialists A hearty welcome is extended to our new information technology specialists. These energetic professionals are enjoying their new assignments in Richland One. Ayanna Mayes is a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina and is enjoying her nearly 500 students at Burton-Pack Elementary. Beverly Hall is at Webber Elementary. Ms. Hall comes to us from 12 years in the Clinton School District and 21 years in the McCormick County School District. Jessica Warren is at AC Moore Elementary. She previously worked as a media specialist at a middle school in Kershaw County.
New Information Technology
Dr. Carolyn P. Jenkins is at Olympia Learning Center. She is returning to the district after working in Tennessee.
Specialists
Joe Myers, is at Eau Claire High school. Joe is a former president of SCASL and comes to us from Georgetown, Berkeley and Fairfield County School Districts. Amy Coquillard is at A.J. Lewis Greenview Elementary School. She has worked previously at the public library and as a children's bookseller before joining Richland One. Lena Lee is at Rosewood Elementary, returning from Richland District Two. Cerese Long is at South Kilbourne Elementary. She worked previously in Newberry County. Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
We Are Proud Of: Instructional Technology Services is pleased to have the support of many community partners who assist in providing services and resources to our patrons. We value these relationships and thank each of them for their continuing support.
David Wendt and Follett Library Resources Bonitz Carpets Alexzena Furgess IT-oLogy South Carolina State Library Richland County Public Library Richland One’s Digital Printing Services Apple Computers Barnes and Noble CISCO Tandberg
Visual Literacy Festival Richland One’s Visual Literacy Festival is a collection of individual contests designed to acknowledge the work done by students and faculty in the areas of non-print media and non-traditional print media. It is open to all students and faculty of Richland One. Entries Deadline—5:00 pm Entry
Awards Ceremonies—4:00 pm
Entry Deadline
Award Date
Photography
October 17, 2012
November 5, 2012
Editorial Cartoons
November 14, 2012
December 3, 2012
Computer Technology/Video
January 23, 2013
February 11, 2013
Puppetry
February 27, 2013
March 25, 2013
Book Production
March 27, 2013
April 22, 2013
Richland School District One
Calendar of Events Date
Event
September 29
Reading Rocks, Sanders Middle School, 9:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Sept. 30 - Oct. 6
Banned Books Week, “30 Years of Liberating Literature”
October 4
Read for the Record; “LadyBug Girl and the Bug Squad” Featured Book
October 9
School Board Meeting, Alcorn Middle School, 7:00 p.m.
October 14-20
Teen Read Week, “It Came From the Library!”
October 17
VLF Photography Entries due to ITS, 5:00 p.m.
October 23
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
November 2-16
VLF Photography Entries displayed at Richland Mall
November 5
VLF Photography Awards, Columbia Children’s Theater, Richland Mall, 4:00 p.m.
November 6
Election Day, District Holiday
November 13
School Board Meeting, Satchel Ford, 7:00 p.m.
November 11 - 17
American Education Week, “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility”
November 14
VLF Editorial Cartoon Entries due to ITS, 5:00 p.m.
November 16
D.E.A.R., Drop Everything and Read, 9:00 - 9:15. a.m.
November 27
School Board Meeting, Olympia, 7:00 p.m.
December 3
VLF Editorial Cartoon Awards, Lyon Street, 4:00 p.m.
December 7
Technology Assessments for Certified Staff Completed
Instructional Technology Services 1225 Oak Street Waverley Annex Columbia SC 29204
ITS Directory Ida Thompson Director, 231-6803 Elizabeth Kohut Technology Education Coordinator, 400-1681 Diana Carr Library Media Consultant, 231-6799 Dr. Dale Bosworth Distance Learning Consultant, 231-6798 Arischa Conner Technology Educator, 400-1684 Dawn Gardner Technology Educator, 400– 1455 Emily Herbig Technology Educator, 400-1683 Jacquetta Morrison Technology Educator, 400-1679 Jennifer Thornsberry Technology Educator, 400-1678 Nancy Swanson Technology Educator, 400-1682 Darlene Montgomery Secretary, 231-6803 Cathy Ratliff Accounting Clerk, 231-6804
Richlandone.org/its
Queen Bell-Lawton Secretary, 231-6802 Larry Richardson DES Technician, 231-6805
Save the date!: October 19 Dr. Carole Simpson, Leading Copyright Expert will visit Richland One
Aaron Blaine Media Clerk, 231-7159
Dwayne Smiling, Chairman Board of School Commissioners Dr. Percy Mack, Superintendent
Richland School District One