Instructional Technology Services Richland County School District One
ITS and the DLE Initiative
Volume 8, Issue 1 Winter 2015
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
Instructional Technology Services has been extremely busy this fall supporting the district’s Digital Learning Environment. Activities have included assisting with school distributions, leading student and parent meetings, and providing training for faculty and staff.
Students: Laptops have been deployed to all students in the middle and high schools. The department staff provided orientation sessions to introduce students to the care and intended use of their devices. Parents: Parent orientation sessions have been provided at all secondary schools, and are now being offered at all elementary schools. These orientation sessions provide a general overview of the DLE initiative, and provide an opportunity for them to ask any questions that they may have. Teachers: Technology Educators provided orientation sessions to introduce teachers to their new devices, share some instructional best practices, and provide classroom management strategies.
Reading Rocks April 16, 2016 Byron Pitts
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Director ......... 2 Historic Flooding .......... 3 News and Notes ............. 3 Celebration .................... 3 Department Updates .... 4 People and Places .......... 5 Calendar of Events ....... 6
DLE Support – By the Numbers (July 1-December 7): Level/Group
Total # of Support Visits
Number of Employee Participants
Number of Student Participants
Number of Parent Participants
High Schools
183
3840
4259
454
Middle Schools
152
1668
8514
1339
Elementary Schools
325
3118
2010
1111
38
207
352
155
61
2343
0
0
Special Schools/ Programs District Offices/ Other PD
Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
From the Director Ida W. Thompson discussed the types of MakerSpaces (crafter, coder, engineer and learning commons), resources to support esDo you remember taking odds and ends of items and contablishing a MakerSpace and aspects verting them into a new, creative, useful project? Have of planning and sustaining a proyou ever imagined a new invention to solve a problem or gram. make life easier? Do you like using technology to create? If you answered yes to these questions, you are among the Each school librarian is creating a millions who have joined the “Maker Movement”, discovMakerspace to facilitate collaboraering that this project-based learning approach is both fun tion, student engagement and exand realistic. panded uses of technology. Visit your school library and share your ideas and suggestions! MakerSpaces are being integrated into communities and This link shares the story on how one school has establibraries across the country and around the world. Richlished large MakerSpace classroom. land One’s school librarians spent a full-day with Ida https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=NLEJLOB6fDw Craddock from Charlottesville, Virginia, on November 7 immersed in the MakerSpace initiative. The group
“Join the Maker Movement!”
Historic Flooding and Instructional Technology Services The October floods left a trail of devastation in our state and community. The department’s Olympia offices had minor flooding and two staff members’ homes were destroyed by the rising waters.
School libraries at Bradley and Satchel Ford had extensive damages and are in the process of being restored. A special word of thanks is extended to Amanda Stone, Manager of Collections and Digitization and her team from the S. C. State Library for assisting with the assessment of the library collections in these two schools. We also appreciate Patrick McCawley from the S. C. Department of Archives and History for his professional expertise in evaluating the collections. A final word of thanks to Mr. Melvin Henry, Director of Maintenance and his staff for all of their assistance and support. Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
News and Notes Reading Rocks
Annual Literacy Leaders
This year’s Reading Rocks Celebration will be held on Award Saturday, April 16 at Sanders Middle School. The theme Joe Keeton, former Follett School is “Reading Rocks with Families” and will feature ABC Solutions Sales Director, was News Anchor Byron Pitts, author of Step Out on Nothing. among those honored as recipients of the 2015 Annual Literacy Leaders Award. This award recognizes individuals and organizations that have had a statewide impact on literacy in South Carolina. Mr. Keeton’s nomination was submitted by Ida W. Thompson in recognition of the years of support, advocacy and professional development he provided to Richland One’s school library programs.
RIF News
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc., Marchon Eyewear and VSP Insurance have made coupons for free eye exams and free eyeglasses available to Richland One students. Details on distribution of the coupons is being provided to school administrators, nurses and social workers. The coupons are valid for one year.
The department has hosted meetings by several special groups this year including the State Read to Succeed Advisory Committee, the S.C. State Library Supervisors Group and the quarterly meetings of the S. C. Association of School Librarians Book Award Committees. We are always pleased to welcome special guests and showcase Richland One’s hospitality.
Cocky’s Reading Express Celebrations Cocky’s Reading Express Turns Ten
Bar Association President Visits
As a part of Cocky’s Reading Express Tenth Anniversary Celebration, volunteers visited Satchel Ford and Bradley Elementary Schools with special deliveries of new books for their school libraries. Both school libraries suffered losses during the recent floods.
Paulette Brown, newly elected President of the American Bar Association made a special visit to Carver-Lyon Elementary on September 15. During her Columbia visit, she especially wanted to see a Cocky’s Reading Express in action. All of this is because the S. C. Young Lawyers Association won the Bar Association’s National Service Award for their volunteer work with Cocky’s Reading Express. Each May they visit schools during Young Lawyers Week with Cocky and distribute books and encourage the children to read throughout the summer. A number of Richland One elementary schools have participated in this project.
Richland School District One
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Instructional Technology Services
Department Updates 2015 Carolina Carillon Parade For the first time in department history, Instructional Technology Services participated in the Annual Carolina Carillon Christmas Parade. The December 5th event featured 100 units. “A Festival of Good Books” was the theme for the department’s float, showcasing the many literacy initiatives provided to students and staff. Follow these links to view the entire parade. http://www.wistv.com/clip/12053083/watch-carolinacarillon-parade-replay-part-2?autostart=true http://www.thestate.com/news/local/ article48196380.html
Hour of Code Many district schools participated in Hour of Code activities in celebration of Computer Science Education Week (December 7-11). The Hour of Code was created by the organization Code.org, which is a non-profit that believes computer science can be integrated into all areas of the curriculum and is an important part of preparing our students for their future careers. The Hour of Code provides free resources and activities to introduce students to coding. The Instructional Technology Services department staff worked with schools to plan and facilitate Hour of Code activities.
Richland One Meets Online In an effort to reduce travel and time away from buildings several district departments have begun meeting virtually with staff and school personnel using Richland One’s enterprise account with Cisco WebEx. Some of the many meetings taking place are: ITS Professional development workshops CEQ Induction teachers Executive directors with school principals DLE project managers with DLE committee members Social Workers Human Resources
The convenience of online meetings continues to grow in Richland One.
While using WebEx, participants can view meeting agendas and presentations or see participants via web cameras. Richland School District One
Virtual Meeting with DLE Project Managers
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Instructional Technology Services
People and Places New Employees We welcome our new school librarians the district and new staff to Instructional Technology Services! Travis Nelson – Sandel Mr. Nelson worked previously at the USC School of Medicine Library as a Circulation Specialist. He earned his Masters of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina. Meg Cantrell – Hopkins Middle Ms. Cantrell has been a Media Specialist, English Teacher, and a Children's Librarian at Richland Library. You can still find her at the Children's Room of Richland Library on weekends. Burlean Moses – Hyatt Park Ms. Moses has worked 25 years as librarian at both the elementary and middle school level. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Masters in Library Science. Tammie Dreher Wells – CA Johnson Mrs. Wells retired after 30 years from the SC Emergency Management Division. She is excited to begin her new career as a school librarian. Linda Senn – Burton Pack Ms. Senn has worked in Richland One for 27 years. She retired 4 years ago and came back this year to take the librarian position at Burton Pack Elementary. Jessica Ruff – Brennen Prior to becoming the school librarian Ms. Ruff was an elementary school teacher for eight years. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Masters in Library Science. .
Other changes Ayanna Mayes is at Heyward Gibbes Gloria Coleman is at Olympia Learning Center Instructional Technology Services welcomes Tiffoney Alford, Accounting Clerk, and Melanie Robinson, Media Technician. We are glad to have them on our team.
Special Recognitions We are very proud of Darlene Montgomery, Secretary III who received her CEOE national certification; Jennifer Thornsberry, Technology Educator, who received her Class Dojo Mentor Certification with SMART; and Irene Bal, Nancy Swanson, Susan Davis, and Dawn Gardner, Technology Educators, who received their Edmodo Ambassador certification. Elizabeth Kohut, Technology Education Coordinator received the Ambassador certification as well.
Eronda Jackson, president of RCAEOP and Darlene Montgomery
Instructional Technology Services was pleased to again welcome Darnelle Russell, Program Analyst and veterans from the Dorn VA Hospital for technology classes this fall. The veterans attended classes from September through December, 2015. The department is extremely proud to support our veterans!
Congratulations to Ida Thompson, ITS Director, who was elected Treasurer of the Richland Library Board of Trustees. An article featuring the Board or Trustees was featured in the October issue of Columbia Metropolitan magazine.
Special Guests Hyatt Park Elementary students were treated to a visit by award-winning author and illustrator Will Hillendbrand on September 20. Mr. Hillenbrand thrilled the audience with a multimedia presentation and drawing demonstration. Special thanks to Pamela Hoppock and the staff at the S. C. State Library for making this visit possible. Special thanks to our Visual Literacy Festival Showcase guests, Antonio Peterson and James Felder for their expert commentary and their expert commentary and insight.
Richland School District One
Calendar of Events Date
Event
ITS Directory
January 6
ADEPT Workshop for Information Technology Specialists
Leadership Team:
January 12
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
January 15
Registration for Spring Technology Classes Opens
Ida Thompson Director, 231-6803
January 15
Registration for Read Around the Planet Closes
January 20
VLF Puppetry Entries Due to ITS, 5:00 p.m.
January 21
TIPS Session, Olympia Auditorium, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
January 26
Spring Technology Education Classes Begin
January 28
School Board Meeting, Columbia High, 7:00 p.m.
February 8
VLF Puppetry Awards, Columbia Children’s Theatre - Richland Mall, 4:00 p.m.
February 11
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
February 14
President’s Day, District Make-up day
February 22
Read Around the Planet Begins
February 23
School Board Meeting, Horrell Hill, 7:00 p.m.
February 26
VLF Technology/Video Entries Due to ITS, 5:00 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 Frierson, 400-1684 Dawn Gardner, 400–1710 Debra Barber, 400-1679
March 1
Library Assistants Meeting, JP Thomas/Alcorn, 12:00 noon
Irene Bal, 231-6810
March 8
School Board Meeting, SAB, 7:00 p.m.
March 21
VLF Technology/Video Awards/Technology Showcase, Olympia, 4:00 p.m.
Jennifer Thornsberry, 400-1678
March 22
School Board Meeting, Heyward Gibbes, 7:00 p.m.
Lisa Faris, 400-1682 Nancy Swanson , 400-1683
Instructional Technology Services 1225 Oak Street Waverley Annex Columbia SC 29204
Susan Davis, 231-6808 Wanda Coclough, 400-1709 Zebulun Dinkins, 231-6801
Support Staff: Darlene Montgomery Secretary, 231-6803
Richlandone.org
Tiffoney Alford Accounting Clerk, 231-6804 Dawn Hardy, Secretary 400-1680
Plan to attend!
Crystal Lynn Secretary, 231-6802
Together We Can Read February 18, 2016 Featured Book: Katie’s Cabbage
Larry Richardson DES Technician 231-6805
Cheryl Harris, Chairwoman Board of School Commissioners Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent
Richland School District One
Melanie Robinson Media Technician, 231-7159