AGI+Update+Page

=The Latest News!= 12.15.09 Eric Robinson, Kathy D, Monica Mapes, Michelle Adcock, Kathy Mantell, Pat McKeon, Todd Harvey
 * Suggestion use google calendar for meetings-specifically identify and consistently enter
 * House meeting, principal meeting, La, Math, TAT etc
 * Use WIKI to post agenda related to meetings
 * Ex: should be utilized as the communication device-shorten morning announcements and use WIKI more
 * Incomplete documents can be drafted in Word so that they can be completed before posting (they show up incomplete in recent activty and confuse staff)
 * Concern about technology utization
 * Technology is not being utilized enough-issues related to software/hardware
 * Time is an issue
 * Identify what sites are being blocked which are very useful
 * ITLT news
 * Meet as district January 26 in PM
 * Meet as a team for building focus
 * Will need to meet again as a building before the 26th-will sign up on MLP-Pat will set it up to cover this meeting and that one
 * Can have meetings after school or during day-preference to meet a day or two before the district meeting instead of during day
 * Send Pat some dates -send impossible dates ...meetings will run 3:30-5pm
 * Last year, WIKI the building wide initiative-how to utilize better while relating to the 21st C skills
 * Tech fair March 18
 * Fear that there's not going to be much participation b/c of lack of time to utilize technology
 * Changes are in the wind---there may be two different events geared towards different levels. This year will be three levels: art show display w/technology; show and tell; come and learn-interactive
 * Identify a strategy to get more/different people involved: perhaps use ACT 48 credit to get additional teachers in (professional development activities)-suggestion to open it up to many more around the state-how will ITLT support (hands on sessions etc)
 * Identify how we can help and participate: using students as well as adults
 * Configuration changes HS had power issues, cafeteria (here) too small---now will use HS and several classrooms instead of just the one room
 * Budget:
 * Permethians and shortarms are going up in library around the 22nd
 * The other three shortarms are being dispersed-custodians will hang before break
 * No more projectors for ceilings -will order more shortarms when possible
 * Budget has been cut about 15% or so 35k-40K
 * Redoing Colleen's lab and moving other ones on (30)
 * Begin redoing some computers for teachers a few at a time...need over 60 some odd --try to do about 16 desktops etc -or is it better to get laptops? 44k
 * Need to locate which ones need to be replaced first (desktops)---
 * Mobile lab repopulation-Apples are gone
 * Need to remember the copiers and supplies etc
 * Printers are having issues related to ink or parts-some won't function once ink is gone
 * Need to address a lot of issues related to access and useage-decide how items will be printed etc
 * Not being used properly-shouldn't be printing packets out...one copy need to use copiers to make multiple pages
 * Need to address accountability etc...
 * Draft of budget has been submitted to the District (280K)
 * Need to be more proactive in addressing grants


 * 10.20 Meeting**-Attending: Michelle Adcock, Pat McKeon, Monica Mapes, Kathy Mantell, Kathy D, Eric Robinson, Todd Harvey, Kelly Dempsey
 * Reviewed purchases from last year:
 * 31 desktops for the computer lab
 * 2 laptops (Deb Parker and Physed)
 * Short throw projection system -Marlese (out of last year's budget)
 * All 620 desktops had memory enhancements -only those owned by AGI
 * 15 mini computers for cart
 * 2 Permethian boards for the library-short projection units to be dispersed to library, Kelly Vaughn, Christen Bolt, and Anthony DeFelice
 * Contractors are scheduled to wire up the library-suggested date November 3, 2009
 * Wiring issues are holding up some items-supplemental speakers will be utilized
 * Erin Steele and Kristen Johnson are still in need of projection system-should be enough once library is wired up
 * All 6th grade should have the projection units
 * Items to be noted:
 * Special education department purchased document cameras but not projectors...so they may need to borrow some projectors
 * The team decided to get the list of all available technology from the library. The objective is to ensure that all staff members are aware of materials and system for borrowing
 * Todd purchased two cameras for school publicity....anyone can borrow and let him know the purpose of the pics
 * Anyone who might be taking pics with their own cameras should think about sharing with the school/community
 * School needs to communicate to staff -take pictures and share on the Web page (via Michelle)
 * Emails will take place to expedite meetings-no  unnecessary info need be shared at meetings if it not as important to agenda


 * Review purchases/accomplishments from last year
 * Computer discussion (placing more desktops in Centrums, dispersing carts to classrooms, leaving the Laptop key in the Centrums)
 * Teacher concerns related to technology-bringing students into the 21stC: not enough and issues with functions
 * Identify budget/concerns/needs
 * 5th grade projectors
 * Smartboards and grant issues --
 * Smartboards should be placed on hold until classrooms and grades have been decided
 * Could put the proposal out to see how many are interested
 * Proposals for Smartboards and classroom changes might deter some from applying
 * Two Smartboards should remain floating for anyone to sign out
 * Projectors/labtops should be kept available for Centrums (each) for multipurpose use
 * If 5th grade gets the projectors, there might be enough projectors without any issue
 * Any ITLT who is applying for Smartboard should not be on the decision committee to select applicants
 * ITLT representation--
 * Eric is stepping down..so no 4th grade representative, Deb is stepping out...but Maureen might be replacing her
 * Currently, we have two 6th grade reps, one 3rd grade, and one special area teacher rep
 * Need to add a 4th or 5th grade rep
 * Need orange 4th/5th grade teacher at the moment
 * Idea...to support if no representative: Maureen and/or Michelle could adopt a grade
 * It's a good idea to have a representative from every house
 * Computer redistribution--
 * Computers from the lab will be redistributed to library and then Centrums
 * 15 put in the library leaving 16 for the teacher stations and Centrums
 * Need to check into Centrum computers-id which ones are going to be replaced in whole or in parts


 * Who is going to post information from principals (school wide) Michelle Adcock or Pat McKeon (backup)
 * Edulink vs newsflash -next year
 * Clarification still needs to be decided about :emergency info, necessary speed posting, web page news etc.....
 * Communication of information
 * Morning announcements are a good "human" contact each day
 * Emails vs morning announcements vs different notes
 * How do we deal with last minute announcements or changes in schedules
 * Basic news can just go on the Wiki ---if sending an email...state check the Wiki
 * Calendar issues (google calendars) info comes from a lot of different places
 * Staff needs to be trained using the Wiki and Google Calendar etc.
 * Office staff, coaches and principals should have the training -it will help with the organization of information-ways to use and load the Wiki
 * Need to request a time for support training-most likely during the summer (mid July)
 * Teacher training
 * TeacherWeb is not going to be active next year-need to warn teachers about saving information and maybe changing over to Wiki
 * Teachers will be advised during an in house meeting (5.22?) or Curriculum Market Place (20th 6th grade as well) (need to find out which Wiki we'll be using-will we be going to campus plans or individual)
 * Budget
 * Option for overhead projector-ataches to wall and shoots on screen (Epson Wall Mount for the PowerLife 400W)-example is going to Marlese's room
 * Split between Linda and our building?-16-17 classrooms-how much?
 * $4000 for repairs
 * 38k for anything:
 * Lab
 * Cart blue house
 * Need to address who's going to apply for the Smartboards
 * Hold one or two back for sharing-others apply thru application


 * Maintenance Contingency: $5,000.00 -minimum
 * Includes: motherboards, heat syncs, power supplies, memory, batteries, cables-no consummables which is done separately (10-12K)
 * As of April 4, only 22 computers under warranty in this building---620s (desktops-really nowhere to get parts) go out April 4, or July


 * Downstairs Blue is eagerly awaiting their laptop cart (8th cart)


 * 5th grade projector systems-need to be ID
 * 48K for 16 to be hung
 * Hopefully district will spit 48K cost
 * Price depends on Smartboards being hung-extra parts etc-However, an alternative would be to move the Smartboards to rooms w/o hanging

>> ** If computer lab is replaced (31@ 760 a piece), then the teacher stations can be taken from the labs- roll down instead of buying new ones which are currently on the list @ $760 each/ 9 in all
 * Teacher replacement laptops to desktops b/c more economical (9)


 * Library is currently housing the oldest systems
 * Library would like a cart of 8 laptops ($569) for a total of around $4,500.+
 * Laptop for teacher ($805)
 * Interactive Board


 * Additional Cart for Centrums Dell Inspiron Mini 12 about 15 @$569.00 each


 * Dukane Document Cameras 9 @$535.00 Move to above the additional cart
 * Suggestion to write grants for this or the Smartboard
 * Must have a projector to function-there are projectors floating in the library
 * Complications related to mounting/wiring issues
 * Some 5th grade teachers have requested the camera and projector-so there is interest


 * Smartboard proposals need to be identified so that Smartboards can be hung
 * Need to identify which parts of the cart will be used/reused
 * Two different methods of hanging: Static Mount for vertical movement and Hang Ten for horizontal movement only
 * Could distribute them while waiting for mounting-so they're used-wait for mounting until another time
 * Proposal grants need to be utilized-will use sample copy and add to it


 * Memory has been ordered


 * Need to address license issues-who is responsible for fees
 * So far our school does: Brainpop, Wiki, Accelerated Reader
 * Compass Learning is being used by our school-no others at this point
 * TeacherWeb will most likely be renewed for the 100 users throughout the district -users need to be adjusted now
 * Powerschool is an alternative
 * Revision of the Wiki is necessary at this point
 * Delete some pages, change others-overall reorganize it
 * Train people with writing responsibilities


 * iBook Carts: Carts not charging, what do we do with them? Discussed moving the iBooks into classrooms as "assets" instead of being signed out and shared. Kelly has to check w/ admin. to see if that's ok.
 * Dell Carts: Can be signed out by other pods, if not signed out by that cart. Special Areas, Pat, etc. also sign out carts. Important to sign out ALL people using it (if people are sharing) so that we have a record of how many people are using the carts. Everyone should be signing them out so that we have a record of them so that it can be seen how much use they are getting.
 * iBooks as of now can print, possibility that those on OS X will be able to.
 * We are getting refurbished computers from the High School. Failing computers in the centrum are being replaced with these.
 * Our "computer count" in the building is going down. Kelly will get us exact numbers for this.
 * We need to go back to Todd about what to do with the current Smart Boards, mounting them, etc. (We had talked about allowing teachers to submit a mini-grant for these). Some rooms may not work well with mounting projectors and the wiring in the ceilings, floors, etc.
 * Budget Questions:
 * What do we have to use? Can we replenish for the loss? What is the minimum we need each year to replace yearly losses. We need a replacement cycle.
 * 5th Grade Projection Systems will be put back in the budget?
 * Our priorities:
 * Teacher Station for each teacher and memory upgrades for teacher station.
 * Cart for Blue Downstairs
 * Replacing computers that have broken
 * Get a laptop cart and Promethian Board for library, as a learning center that the whole school could have access to.
 * After we get our heads above water then we ask for more student stations (2nd carts), Document Camera (Elmo), Promethian Boards, etc. We should be replacing the overhead projector with Document Cameras and Projectors.
 * Look at possibly replacing computers in the Computer Labs (lose Warranty in April) and moving the current ones down to the rest of the building.
 * Look at possibly replacing computers in the Computer Labs (lose Warranty in April) and moving the current ones down to the rest of the building: Replace and build in the centrums.
 * Replace Staff Development Lab (compass learning).
 * Look into the possibility of leasing??
 * Looking into the possibility of lower-end laptops.


 * ITLT meeting worked on the 21st Century Skills Task Force Matrix
 * All schools worked on their own document through google docs
 * Must have it finished before the next ITLT meeting on March 10-send ahead to have all school documents merged
 * The team will meet again to complete the document


 * The team has identified 3 specific objectives:
 * Plans for professional development
 * Coteaching
 * Utilizing technology at meetings -even as part of the presentation of info
 * Training sessions
 * Plans for acquistion
 * Identify specific needs as well as long term goals which fit into budget
 * Ideas for replacement laptops and computers were discussed-factors involve age, location, and specific use of computers-etc.
 * Age
 * Ibooks are on the way out-in the spring, the carts will be collected to put together any working ibooks
 * Some of the laptops, especially the 600 series will need to be replaced shortly, after that will be the 610s
 * Library desktops are some of the oldest computers in the school
 * Most of the computers are out of warranty
 * Location and use
 * Some ideas include placing two carts in Centrums or one cart with some desktops
 * Specific uses and needs to be clarified in order to design an optimal long term plan for re/placement and ease of use
 * Plans for distribution
 * A method of allocation of Smartboards and digital projectors has been determined
 * Persuasive applications/grants will be utilized - open to all staff
 * Standards/ideas for application will be forthcoming
 * 8 Smartboards will be mounted in winners' rooms
 * The digital projectors will be allocated for a specific time period
 * A priority list was developed:
 * Ensure all teachers have working stations-4-8 new stations will need to be purchased
 * Purchase cart for blue pod so there's equity of laptops between pods and floors
 * Additional purchases include but are not limited to:
 * Digital projectors (4)
 * Consumables-ink, printers etc
 * Language has been clarified:
 * Replacement will be understood as "new"
 * Teacher computers will be rolled down to students as they are replaced
 * The library will be getting a Promethian board and projector in ceiling-it will be for everyone to use
 * 8 laptops will be added to the desktops so there will be more workstations
 * Other devices are being looked into -this includes digital cameras (purchase via the library)
 * Wiki page
 * All staff members have been reminded to join the Wiki-one reminder (as well as directions) will be sent out this week
 * By the end of the week, the Wiki will be identified as the "common" communication device for staff


 * Regular monthly meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of each month
 * ITLTs and Todd will meet to discuss technology needs as well as continue communication (language and needs)


 * The staff has been provided a session relating to the Wiki
 * All members have been encouraged and repeatedly reminded to join
 * Several follow-ups have occurred
 * Discussions related to purpose and use have been addressed


 * The Wiki will be implemented on Friday, December 9, 2008 during house meetings
 * Follow-up will continue on Monday during principal meetings

October 7, 2008

 * [|Avon Grove Intermediate News]
 * [|AGI Google Calendar]


 * setting up regular meeting time, after school, with Mr. Harvey (weekly, monthly?)
 * working on a five year plan for technology purchase, use and staff training
 * determining basic level of acceptable staff expertise
 * discuss possibilities of providing new technology to teachers who write successful grants
 * scheduled November 5th curriculum marketplace meeting to "launch" new electronic news for staff (meet on Thursday October 30th to coordinate training)
 * determine ways to follow-up with principals and office support staff to help train them on wiki use and editing


 * placing the date on the Eye on Instruction so that there is a reference point -most likely, dates should be placed at the top of any submission
 * dividing up or partitioning the jobs/sections for the Wiki so everyone can equally participate as well as not be overloaded with too much


 * We won't be able to have a full faculty meeting on November 5th. Instead we will discuss our Wiki talking points during house meetings. We will also arrange extra time for Special Areas, Specialists, etc.
 * Pat McKeon will be available to facilitate
 * We will have them: sign up, show them how to add to their favorites, discuss what's there. We'll explain that they won't be editing for now. For now it's being used as a communication tool.
 * We'll also spend a few minutes showing how to maneuver through the Google Calendar, and use it as a resource.
 * Responsibilities have been divided to facilitate communication and use:Monica- SDMT & House Meetings


 * Jobs and other communication issues will be addressed as new revisions and responsibilites are necessary


 * What are 3 big ideas that would be useful for the ITLTs to address out of the data
 * Data questions and discussions need to be addressed universally in order to provide a common language for understanding as well as data results-and ease communication issues
 * Word to integrating Wiki and Blogs-it's a matter of transition to a new tool,
 * Focus should be Problem Solving instead of telling how to do things
 * Training still needs to be provided to reinforce and supplement teacher skills in order to promote students use


 * Does our current focus on wikis, blogs, and Google Docs drive us to improving our performance as reported via PATI
 * Reponse Yes, -more and more people are learning and using the new tools
 * We feel the implementation of the school wiki will reinforce skills as well as reduce anxiety related to use