EPT Admin Asst Meetings
UPDATE ON ALL THINGS EPT... March/April 2016
WHO WE ARE-
The Administrative Assistants for the Educational Programs and Technology Department meet monthly to collaborate and share information and resources. The EPT Department is comprised of the following areas-
*Adult Education Services (Centennial)
*Career and Technical Education (Lawrence College and Career Center)
*Lawrence Virtual School (Wakarusa Valley)
*Technology Services (ESDC)
April 19, 2016 Meeting Location- ESDC -District Office (March 2016 Mtg was Cancelled)
Special thanks to Joe Smysor for spending the morning with us discussing Google Hangouts!
1. Send out revised contact list (Dawn)
2. Follow up regarding revised ESDC directory (Dawn)
3. Follow up on LVS Work Order (Dawn)
4. Use the Galaxy Tab 4's and contact Dawn with any questions/concerns
5. Review info on stress/imbalance and try to incorporate atleast one suggestion in your life (page 6-7)
6. Send Dawn info regarding where you hope to be in 5 years
CALLS TO ACTION-
- Dawn- Continue to share info with the group regarding health insurance - medical, dental, voluntary benefits, etc.
- Dawn- Share info with group regarding Lunch & Learns and after hours professional learning activities.
- Dawn/Joe- Touch base with everyone prior to the next meeting to ensure the Galaxy Tab4's or work devices are working in order to utilize for a Hangout!
- Group-Use the Galaxy Tab 4's and contact Dawn with any questions/concerns.
Topics of Discussion
Today was spent discussing and learning about Google Hangouts/Hangouts on Air (web conferencing)
Google+ Hangouts brings one-on-one and group conversations to life with photos, emoji, and video calls for free. Connect with friends across computers, Android and Apple devices.
Make Sure to download the app to your mobile device if you want to utilize it for Google Hangouts-
- Google Play Store (Android devices)
- App Store (iPad/iPhones- ios devices)
If utilizing from desktop- you must connect via Chrome. Go to www.hangouts.google.com.
For info and tutorials on Google Hangouts, visit
https://www.atomiclearning.com/google-hangout-training
Remember-Everyone in the district has a Google account and a Google email. The email is the same as your current email address. If you also have a personal gmail account- be sure you know which one you are are working in.
There is so much to learn regarding Google and its programs. You truly just need to jump in and start using it in order to gain a true understanding. Please remember that you can access Atomic Learning for info/training on all things Google!
Did You Know?!?
Joe Smysor is the district's Integration Support Specialist. He is our technology guru (Apple certified, Google certified, etc...) He can provide trainings for groups or individuals. If the Admin Assts group has specific areas that they would like to receive trainings on - please let Dawn know so that she can coordinate with Joe. If you need assistance with a task or a specific question, you can contact the help desk (x4357) or Joe at 330.4831, jsmysor@usd497.org. Again, Joe is a big advocate of staff utilizing Atomic learning (sign-in should be your computer login and password).
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*26th Annual Foundation Follies event was Friday, April 15th at Liberty Hall. This action-packed variety show was full of fun and original entertainment, and showcased the many talents of our faculty, staff, administration and school board. This Lawrence Schools Foundation event raised approximately $20,000 which will provide Innovative Teaching Grants for the 2016-17 school year!
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LVS held their Prom Saturday, April 9th from 7-11pm at their location- 1104 E 1000 Rd. It had an 80's Theme! Students danced, played board games and played games in the gym. There were approximately 100 people in attendance- 63 students and the remaining guests were family/siblings and/or friends. LVS again utilized one of the districts two robots (Lewis & Clark) so that two of their students who were in North Carolina were able to participate and enjoy the evening festivities! A couple of students from other areas in KS who could not attend in person were also able to Skype in and participate during the evening! A good time was had by all and staff said it was the biggest and best prom thus far!
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Lawrence Transit will offer a student summer bus pass for K-12 kids. The pass is $10 for three months (June, July & August). The pass can be bought at the following locations-
Starting May 1st-
- City Hall, Dillon's stores, Hy-Vee stores, The Merc, The Community Building, East Lawrence Recreation Center, Holcom Recreation Center, Rock Chalk Park
Starting May 23rd-
- Indoor Aquatic Center
Starting May 28th-
- Outdoor Aquatic Center
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Ticket Monster Perks offers exclusive discounts to our employees on ALL sports, concerts and theme park tickets nationwide. Follow these three easy steps below and start saving today.
1. Go to http://www.ticketmonsterperks.com/?perksCode=LAWRENCE
2. Sign up & save $10 on your first order! Enter your company identifier: LAWRENCE
3. Start searching for discounted sports, concert and theater tickets nationwide
Contact the Ticket Monster team by calling (866) 217-4777 or emailing service@ticketmonster.com with questions.
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Need HELP- Contact the HELP Desk (Technology assistance)- x4357 or contact MaryAnne (x2499).
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~~~Staff Related ~~~
*In early March, Kyle Hayden was selected to be the next Superintendent of Lawrence Public Schools, beginning July 1, 2017. Currently Kyle is the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations. With his promotion to Superintendent, Anna Stubblefield (Director of Human Resources) was promoted to fill his vacancy as Asst Superintendent of Business & Operations. As such, Samrie Devin, the current Principal at Quail Run Elementary was selected to be the new Director of Human Resources. ( Interviews are underway to locate a new Principal for Quail Run.) Congratulations are indeed in order for these individuals!!!!
*The 1:1 iPad initiative for the middle schools was approved towards the end of March. The district entered into an agreement with Apple Inc. that includes 5,000 iPads for implementing 1:1 at the middle schools, equipping additional blended learning classrooms and deploying iPads to all administrators, TOSAs, learning coaches and 6-12 teachers in 2016-17; an Apple project manager to assist the district with the 1:1 rollout, professional development for teachers, cases for the iPads and additional MacBooks to be used to refresh old devices at all grade levels and provide additional devices for checkout at the high schools. The district plans to study a proposed 1:1 high school initiative next year.
*The Fringe Benefit Committee met with representatives from Delta Dental in early April. Delta Dental is our current dental carrier. Delta Dental is the largest, most experienced dental benefits carrier in KS and the US. 94% of dentists in KS participate in Delta Dentist network. Our dental plan is up for renewal Sept 1, 2017. Currently our plan does not provide any coverage for implants. The average cost for an implant (per tooth) is $3900-$5,000. We are considering adding implant coverage to the Buy Up Plan only for 2016 (limited to $1500 annual maximum) and adding it to regular dental plan at renewal time (Sept 2017) depending on how much it would increase the current rates. As we obtain more info- I will update you!
*USD 497 All-Staff Mixer (Food + Drinks+ Fun) will be held Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 4:30-6:30 pm at Wayne & Larry's Party Room (933 Iowa St). Come mix and mingle with teachers and staff from across the district (adults-only, staff function), while enjoying complimentary appetizers and drinks in a relaxed and casual atmosphere!
RESOURCES-
Next EPT Admin Asst Mtg
Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 09:00 AM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." - Maya Angelou
Dawn Downing
Email: ddowning@usd497.org
Location: 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
Phone: 785.832.5000 2360