Instructional Technology Services Richland County School District One
Volume 8, Issue 2 Spring 2016
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
Reading Rocks 2016 The Annual Reading Rocks Literacy Celebration was held on Saturday, April 16 on the campus of Sanders Middle School. This year’s theme was “Reading Rocks with Families.” Byron Pitts of ABC News Nightline, was the featured author and special guest. He gave an inspiring presentation to the audience detailing his challenges as a student and the perseverance of his family in helping him to overcome them. Copies of his book, Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges sold out at the event. During his Columbia visit, Mr. Pitts visited A. C. Flora High School’s Journalism Class with W. J. Keenan’s Journalism class joining via video conference. He talked at length with the students about his career, important persons he has interviewed and shared tips on preparing for a journalism career. Following this presentation, Mr. Pitts visited the new School of Journalism and Mass Communications at USC. He observed students produce their daily 4:00 p.m. news program and gave them feedback on the production.
Storyfest June 4, 2016 SC State Museum
Reading Rocks featured many fun and engaging activities including train rides, family photos, special parenting support classes, free books, many community vendors, storybook characters, and clowns. A highlight of the day was the Family Feud competitions! The Title I Parent Educators were awesome, winning both rounds of the competition. It was a high-spirited, fun competition! Special presentations were given to members of the “Vettes ‘R Forever” Corvette Club, the Carolina Classic Motor Car Club and the Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority (USC) for their continuous support of Reading Rocks.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Director ......... 2 Technology Showcase ... 2 News and Notes ............. 3 Department Updates .... 4 People and Places .......... 5 Calendar of Events ....... 6
Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
From the Director Ida W. Thompson
If the flowers are in bloom, graduation invitations are mailed, and vacations are being planned, it must be Spring! This special time of year has many celebrations and observances ….National Poetry Month, Earth Day and World Book Month among them. A major celebration is School Library Month – a time to honor the work and impact of school libraries in our communities. This year’s theme is “School Libraries Transform Learning.” Richland One’s school library programs benefit from competent, caring professionals and programming that supports the district’s overall goals.
Give yourself an “aha moment this Spring….visit your school or community library and see the many new approaches to learning, information access and service. Let the staff know that you value their service and will be a frequent visitor. Honor Society students from Satchel Ford Elementary helped with the “wallbreaking” for the Cooper Branch of Richland Library in March.
In our community, the Richland Library provides a myriad of services, innovative programs and resources that help improve the quality of life for its citizens. Its current bond program facilitating renovations and new facilities is well underway.
Technology Showcase 2016/VLF Tech Savvy Teachers
Summer Technology Camps
This year’s Technology Showcase culminated with the Annual Tech Savvy Teacher’s awards honoring teachers who stand out among their colleagues for the use of technology in the curriculum and best practices with students.
The department is again offering special technology camps for both elementary and middle school students. The camps will be held June 13-16 at Olympia. Registration information can be accessed on the department’s website or by calling the Olympia office of Instructional During the awards program honorees were congratulated Technology Services at 400-1680. by Dr. Witherspoon, superintendent, leaders from Instructional Technology Services and visiting executives from SMART technologies. Also recognized during the Showcase were Visual Literacy winners for this years’ Technology/Video Competition.
Camp Details Theme: “Making It Happen with Technology” Cost: $35.00 per student Time: 9:00am – 3:00 (Monday-Thursday)
Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
News and Notes Read In
Augusta Baker
A record number of energetic students, teachers, parents and readers of all ages turned out to express their support for reading and libraries at the Annual Statewide Read-In on April 14. All in attendance enjoyed the Benedict College drum line, USC’s Cocky and the Clemson Tiger, the beautiful weather and the all famous roll call of schools led by Corey Miller of WACH-Fox News. Next year’s event is scheduled for April 4, 2017.
Award winning author and illustrator, Chris Raschka was the featured guest at this year’s Augusta Baker Celebration of Stories on April 89. Hundreds of fourth grade students attended the event held on the grounds of the Robert Mills House and Gardens. Richland One schools in attendance were: Hyatt Park, Bradley, Carver-Lyon, Meadowfield, Mill Creek, A. C. Moore, and E. E. Taylor.
Storyfest 2016 Storyfest is the kickoff for South Carolina public libraries annual summer reading program. It is a free family event for adults and children statewide, devoted to reading, literacy and storytelling. Each year a different theme is celebrated; the theme for 2016 is health, sports and activity. Two award-winning children's authors will head
line, and storytellers, face painters and other entertainers will engage attendees during the day. Storyfest takes place at the SC State Museum on Gervais Street on Saturday, June 4. Storyfest is sponsored by the South Carolina State Library, with funding from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
School Librarians Receive Multiple Grants VSP Six district librarians joined with Ida Thompson and Diana Carr to present an informative session at the SCASL Con-
ference titled “Granted: Funding Projects that Support Library Innovation”. The grants were received from various donors and covered a wide range of content-related topics, library resources and technology applications. Presenters included Angie Enlow, Ashley Turner, Ayanna Mayes, Betsy Russell, Neely Swygert, and Laura Holladay.
The special project with VSP Vision Care is still being implemented. Through a partnership with RIF and Marchon Eyewear, district students can receive certificates for free eye exams and eye glasses. The certificates can be obtained from school nurses and are valid until November 1, 2016.
Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
Department Updates Libraries Damaged in Flood Get Makeover Bradley Elementary and Satchel Ford Elementary are continuing to make progress recovering from October’s floods. After losing all of their furniture and a significant amount of books they now have replacement books and are starting to receive furniture. We are looking forward to these spaces being models for the Learning Commons approach to library services in the district.
SMART Hackathon When most people hear the word Hackathon, the first thing that comes to mind is usually not a positive thought. However when you add the word SMART to Hackathon, you get something amazing. During the month of March students and teachers at Edward E. Taylor Elementary School had the opportunity to participate in a SMART Hackathon with SMART executives Dave Milford, Notebook Software Manager and Dave Park, Program Manager. During the three day event, students learned about SMART Notebook 15 and how they can use the different tools within Notebook to demonstrate what they have learned. Additionally, teachers had the opportunity to sit in a professional development session with Dave Milford to learn more about Notebook 15.
Top District in the Nation for Read Around the Planet Richland District One topped the nation for the third year in a row with over 160 class registrations in the annual Read Around the Planet literacy event which occurs in conjunction with the Annual Celebration of "NEA's Read Across America.” During two weeks in February and March students connected via live video conferences to other students around the nation and world to discuss books they were reading and exchange information about their communities. Several international connections took place with Canada and England, as students eagerly shared information and smiling faces. Richland School District One
Instructional Technology Services
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People and Places SCASL Recognitions
Painted Mural
Richland One swept the awards categories at the 41st Annual Conference of the S. C. Association of School Librarians (SCASL) in Myrtle Beach in March. Staff from Richland One won three of the four awards:
Sandel Elementary held a grand unveiling of a 20 foot long mural painted by nationally recognized artist and Richland One graduate Tripp Derrick Barnes in April. Mr. Barnes, who now lives in New York City, has painted portraits for celebrities such as movie star Mathew McConaughey, football player Drew Brees and rapper Ja Rule. He also has been featured on Good Morning America and other national media. Prior to receiving critical acclaim, he graduated from A.C. Flora High School.
Nancy Jane Day Scholarship - Susan Altman, Forest Heights Elementary School School Librarian of the Year - Pamela Williams, Columbia High School Administrator of the Year - Ida Thompson, Director of Instructional Technology Services, Richland One Distinguished Service Award - Kathy Sutusky, retired from Richland One
Each received the Superintendent’s Award at the April 26th meeting of the Richland One Board of School Commissioners.
Parent Training Sessions Lisa Faris, Technology Educator and Heyward Gibbes Middle School’s Parent Coordinator, Salli Lakin recently traveled to Latimer Manor to meet with parents with limited transportation to their children's schools. They provided laptops and training sessions in order for parents to have knowledge of the district’s available resources.
Travis Nelson, Sandel Librarian, contacted the artist asking him if he would be interested in painting a mural in the Sandel library that would inspire children to be creative thinkers and creators of ideas and information. “Sure enough, he loved the idea and graciously accepted the offer to come paint at Sandel,” said Nelson. Tripp is donating his time and talent as a way to give back to the community and to the Richland One school district in which he grew up.
Retirees Attend Annual Open House Event A special Spring event for the department is hosting an event for retirees to keep them connected to the work of the district and school library program. This year’s event was held at the S. C. Center for Children’s Books & Literacy with presentations from Kim Jeffcoat, Executive Director and Helen Fellers, Coordinator. The group enjoyed touring the center,
learning about the special collections and reminiscing through departmental scrapbooks and photo albums. It is always a pleasure to welcome this group back and keep them connected with Richland One.
Richland School District One
Calendar of Events Date
Event
ITS Directory
April 27
End of Year Meeting, Heyward Conference Center, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Leadership Team:
April 28
Spring Technology Workshops End
Ida Thompson Director, 231-6803
May 6
Summer Technology Workshops Posted on ITS Website
May 8
Mother’s Day
May 10
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
May 23
ITS Planning Day - Office Closed
May 24
School Board Meeting, E.E. Taylor Elementary, 7:00 p.m.
May 30
Memorial Day - Student Make Up Day
May 31
Last Day of School
June 13
Elementary and Middle School Technology Camps
June 14
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
June 19
Father’s Day
June 28
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Kohut Technology Education Coordinator, 400-1681 Diana Carr Library Media Consultant, 231-6799 Dr. Dale Bosworth Distance Learning Consultant, 231-6798
Technology Educators: Arischa Conner, 400-1684 Bettie Brown, 231-6795 Dawn Gardner, 400–1455 Debra Barber, 400-1679
Instructional Technology Services 1225 Oak Street Waverley Annex Columbia SC 29204
Irene Ball, 231-6810 Jennifer Thornsberry, 400-1678 Lisa Faris, 400-1682 Nancy Swanson , 400-1682 Susan Davis, 231-6808 Wanda Coclough, 400-1709
Support Staff: Darlene Montgomery Secretary, 231-6803
Richlandone.org
Tiffoney Alford Accounting Clerk, 231-6804
Plan to attend!
Dawn Hardy, Secretary 400-1680 Crystal Lynn Secretary, 231-6802
For Elementary and Middle School Students Cheryl Harris, Chairwoman Board of School Commissioners Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent
Richland School District One
Larry Richardson DES Technician 231-6805 Melanie Robinson Media Clerk, 231-7159