Spot On!
A Monthly E-Newsletter for Spotswood Educators
Connect, Learn, Collaborate
Dear Colleagues,
In a blink of an eye we are at winter break. I am always amazed at how quickly we get to this point in the school year. As I get older, I feel as if the holiday season comes faster each year.
As we wrap up 2015, I think of the many great things you have accomplished in your classrooms, on the stage, on the athletic fields, and around the community with our students. Our success is a direct result of the dedication of our entire faculty and staff, and administrative team members. I look forward to what 2016 has to bring to our school community!
The end of 2015 also brings an end to Microsoft Outlook. As was announced a number times, the system will shutdown on December 31, 2015 as part of our full transition to Google Apps for Education. You will still have until the end of June 2016 to transition your Microsoft Office files to Google Drive. Should you have any questions or concerns with the transition of your information, please reach out to the IT Help Desk.
Finally, I wish all of you and your families, happy holidays and a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Scott
Tech Tuesday Tip #3 - Self Grading Quizzes Using Google Forms and Flubaroo
going google
Other Resources
FACT Committee Meeting Minutes for November Meeting
November 23, 2015
School Accomplishments
The FACT Committee has recommended:
To create a better sense of community within our district and help us better connect, learn, and collaborate with each other, we will add a new section to Spot On highlighting the great things that occur in our schools. If you or a colleague would like to share special events, projects, student work or activities in Spot On, please submit a picture and/or a brief synopsis of the activity you would like highlighted to your building FACT representative.
District Website
We should try to keep our district web-page pictures current.
If you have any pictures that you would like placed on the web-page, please submit them.
Please make sure all students in the picture have a signed form on file allowing them to be photographed before you submit the picture.
Do Not Photograph Form
It was suggested that the Do Not Photograph form be revised to show various degrees to which a student may or may not be photographed. (ex: Do not photograph for any reason; photos may be used for in school use only; photos may be used for web-page, etc.)
Laptops
Some of the three year old district issued computers are not working properly. If you are having battery issues with your computer or the computer operating system is not working properly contact the IT Help Desk.
Most laptop batteries have a three year life and may need to be replaced.
Our district issued computers are on a five year cycle.
Please backup your computers regularly.
If you are having an issue with your district issued laptop, please notify the IT Help Desk.
Restraint Training
To better serve the needs of our staff and students, it was suggested that the district offer restraint and de-escalation training to all district employees.
Referendum
Thank you for helping to support our referendum. It was through the joint efforts of all involved that the referendum was passed.
Dr. Rocco was also thanked for all his hard work in getting the word out to our community.
Architects have already been in some of our buildings and are developing renovation plans.
Many projects will be started in the early spring. We hope to have Appleby’s renovations completed by June 30, 2016. Other projects will be worked on over the summer.
The district is not sure when teachers will have summer access to their buildings to set up for the 2016-2017 school year.
Preparing our students for the future
One of the committee members discussed a teacher is working on a project with her class to show her students how a real life business is created and run.
Send e-newsletter ideas, articles or resources to srocco@spsd.us
Spotswood Public Schools
Email: srocco@spsd.us
Website: www.spsd.us
Location: 105 Summerhill Road, Spotswood, NJ
Phone: 732-723-2200
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Spotswood-Board-Of-Education/367110406701837?fref=ts
Twitter: @SPSChargers