In The Know
GSC Education Department Newsletter: September 2015
"Training Young Minds is Like Watching a Miracle Unfold Everyday!"
So let's always shun apathy and work fervently and enthusiastically as to the Lord! I am here to support, assist, encourage and yes, to cheer those miracles big and small!
As you read this month's newsletter be sure to scroll down to the very bottom where you'll see a few photos that I've taken so far this year. For those not pictured, I'll get photos during my upcoming visit.
This weekend will mark my second visit of the year to Faith Adventist where I'll be supporting our educational ministry there and conference wide during the Sabbath worship service September 12. Please pray for me as I do for you!
Stan (quotes taken from the NAD education website)
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8 Tips for Reaching Out to Parents
By David Cutler, as published in Edutopia this past year.
How can teachers can build and sustain positive relationships with parents and appropriately handle difficult circumstances?
Following are eight tips that I've learned from experience.
1. Avoid Doing Battle
I always log and take notes on parent phone calls, a good practice in case you need to recall the details of a conversation (or if one took place). When parents get overly angry, emotional or offensive (which rarely happens), I end the conversation quickly but diplomatically: "I hear you’re upset, but I no longer feel comfortable speaking with you on the phone. We should meet face to face, but with an administrator also present." I then report to my department chair. Sometimes, five percent of parents will consume 95 percent of your time.
2. Keep E-Mail Timely and Brief
When I receive e-mail from parents, I reply the very same day. By not responding in a timely fashion, you make your school and yourself look lazy and unprofessional. If the e-mail is anything beyond a simple request, like reminding Johnny to meet for extra help after school, it's always wise to avoid a detailed exchange and request a face-to-face meeting instead. It's remarkably easy to misconstrue tone and meaning via e-mail, which heightens fears and emotions.
3. Post Assignments Online
I post at least two weeks' worth of lessons and assignments online, and they are easily accessible to students and parents alike. Few things hurt a teacher's reputation more than being perceived as unprepared and disorganized. Besides, parents should know what their child is studying, and students should have a clear idea of what they will be learning. On many occasions, this planning has also allowed me to meet with parents and students in advance about how to prepare for more challenging assignments. Moreover, when students miss days of school, neither they nor their parents need to e-mail me about missed work.
4. Involve Parents in Their Children’s Education
Great teachers welcome parent support and curiosity. I've lost track of how many wonderfully positive conversations I've had with parents about my curriculum or assignments. Those conversations morph into how impressed I am with something in particular that Johnny or Sally did or said, letting the parents see that I really know and care about their child. Sometimes, parents ask what they can do to help their child succeed -- and it's crucial that you lay out an approach involving their direct action. Enlist their help as another coach, not as a surrogate.
5. Prepare for a Successful Back-to-School Night
Early on, the best way to earn parent support is to run a successful back-to-school night -- which, in many cases, can be a lot of fun. When speaking to parents, I do my best to bring the same vigor and eagerness I bring to my students in the classroom. I love what I teach, and I make that known not only by what I say, but also by how I say it. I'm animated, talking excitedly about my classes. All the while, I'm careful not to monopolize the short time we have together. I want to hear from the parents. I want to learn their hopes and fears for their student, and how I can support them in our collective mission to help all kids meet their greatest potential.
6. Call OR Email Home to Report Good News
Parents rarely receive a positive call home. Twice a semester, I make a point to call and tell them how impressed I am with something their student did or said. It surprises me when parents nervously answer the phone, as if a student did something wrong. They are all the more relieved and proud when I have just good news to report. These calls let parents know that I care as much about recognizing success and improvement as I do about spotting struggle and weakness. These calls also reassure parents that I'm not out to make life more difficult for their child, that I'm fair in my assessments and feedback, and that I genuinely want to see students succeed.
7. Look Professional
Nothing spells "unprofessional" more than a messy-looking teacher, especially when meeting with parents. Since you never know when you might run into a parent, it's a good idea to come to school looking neat and professional. I know some teachers who never come to work without wearing a tie, arguing that a visitor should never have any doubt as to who's in charge. I'm not sold that wearing a tie is essential to accomplishing this task, but it can't hurt -- and it’s an even wiser move for younger teachers, also looking to earn authority in the classroom.
8. Participate in After-School Activities
This could be anything from coaching to attending as a spectator. I coach varsity cross-country, and beyond adoring my engagement with students in a non-academic setting -- which has a host of benefits unto itself -- I enjoy interacting with parents on a daily basis. We speak not only about how their child is doing athletically, but emotionally and academically as well. I can't express how often this rapport has helped me realize how to communicate more effectively with teens, both on the field and inside the classroom.
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RESOURCES: SAFETY, PERFORMANCE, READING
@Adventistrisk
Are you a distracted driver? Learn how to control distractions before hitting the road. http://ow.ly/RLjMi #ARMCares #ItCanWait
@everwise
@edutopia
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15 Essential Apps for the Organized Teacher
SimplyCircle - Group Communication
With a focus on communication and attention to data privacy, SimplyCircle allows you to use a single, synced calendar for all parents, use group messaging or one-on-one, use one-click volunteer signups, and, in short, run a more efficient, organized, and productive classroom. With SimplyCircle, you can communicate with the entire group, or have individual conversations with parents as needed, all in a secure and private environment. In short, SimplyCircle is Remind, SignUpGenius and Facebook all rolled into one - so parents and teachers can ditch the burden of planning and remembering, and instead focus on doing.
Google Drive - free online storage from Google
Perhaps the most essential tool here, Google Drive is a cloud-based digital locker to save, share, collaborate with documents and related files for Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and more.
Create a channel for your classroom--flipped or not--where you aggregate lesson extensions, upload student work, or store digital content for lessons and units. All in one place.
Evernote and Evernote Scannable
Evernote is great, but what about Evernote Scannable? Scan and store documents, images, drawings, pictures, project-based learning artifacts, and more.
Store files, backup media, create shared folders for students to send and receive work, and more. It often ties in nicely with Apple's native interface as well for easier sharing.
Paperless Assignments with Dropbox and Google Drive | SubmitBox
Use Dropbox or Google Drive to collect, annotate, and grade your students' documents with a simple paperless workflow Tired of collecting your students' documents with email attachments or via a learning management system? SubmitBox harnesses the power of cloud storage apps like Dropbox and Google Drive to make collecting documents super easy.
Pocket: Save Articles and Videos to View Later
Save and tag essential media--documents, books, blog posts, social media posts, and more--for your curriculum and classroom application.
Newsify: Your News, Blog & RSS Feed Reader
Read and share your favorite websites, blogs, and other digital content with students in a newspaper-like layout. Easy skimming, reading, saving, and sharing of news-style digital content.
Google Calendar is great. Another possibility is Allcall, a unique social planning calendar for projects, academic coursework, or parent-teacher interaction.
Remind: Safe Classroom Communication
Remind (formerly Remind101) offers teachers a free, safe and simple way to instantly text students & parents. Teachers, coaches, or administrators can send reminders, assignments, homework, assessments, or motivational messages directly to students' & parents' phones.
Microsoft OneNote – lists, photos, and notes, organized in a notebook
Capture your thoughts, discoveries, and ideas with OneNote, your very own digital notebook. With OneNote you can seize that moment of inspiration, take your class notes, or track that list of errands that are too important to forget.
TeacherKit helps you organize classes and students easily. Create a seating chart, record attendance, log behavior, and track grades all with few taps.
Seesaw is a student-driven digital portfolio that empowers students of all ages to independently document and share what they are learning at school.
The Nearpod platform enables teachers, schools and districts, to use their iPads to manage content on students' iPads, iPhones, iPods or Macs. It seamlessly combines interactive presentation, collaboration, and real-time assessment tools into one integrated solution.
Engage, assess and personalize your class with Socrative! Educators can initiate formative assessments through quizzes, quick question polls, exit tickets and space races all with their Socrative Student app.
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DATA ROLLUP
August 2015
Greetings!
I hope you've had a good summer! Please take note of the following changes/additions to Data Rollup and NAD Resources. It would be GREAT if you could share the information with your teachers (where applicable) at teacher meetings. I will also send the information out to them via email. Thanks!!
Data Rollup Changes/Additions/Notes
- Watch for a brand new Directory Report - designed to meet the needs of all levels. Among new formatting additions are:
- Staff specific titles - Click to see the options to enter in RenWeb, iNow, or SSM
- Addition of Union & Conference personnel data - added to User Manager record
Title to show in Education Directory
Address
Mobile/home phone number
Work phone number
Only show them on the form for users who have a Conference and higher role.
- ability to choose which fields to include and to choose sort order
- size and scope of education system
- There is already an option in User Manager for individuals to check if they want their number ard/or address published in the directory.
- Reports show a warning at the top for any that are affected by school errors/warnings. This will help you know if your reports are accurate or not!
- School Type has been added to the User Manager listing. This is specifically for students taking classes from Griggs International Academy with the APLE program.
- Is APLE has been added to data fields for purpose of the Opening Report.
- Head count is now being calculated by ID number. ANY individual to be included in a school's head count must have an NAD ID number and record in the school's SIS.
- Staff degree, certification and education experience data will be pulled from eCertification. Schools no longer have to track that down.
- The Opening Report Assistant Tool will be available to assist schools in troubleshooting errors in the report. Also - the Troubleshooting version will include help for workload distribution.
- PK-8 Cumulative Record Report available soon. This replaces the student information collected for the Cumulative Record Folder. This will include IOWA test data.
- Accreditation document - A new online accreditation document is being piloted by a number of schools this year. Data will be exported from eCertification and Data Rollup to the document automatically. Think of the time saver THIS is - as long as data is correct in the SIS.
- Teacher Opening Report - Academy report will list classes they teach including the enrollment number. Elementary report will list students, etc. Please be sure ALL teachers are checking these for accuracy.
- New grade codes added for 9-12 subjects
- Addition of school logos will be an option for Data Rollup Report Cards by end of 1st quarter.
- Be sure you follow the report card marking codes found on the NAD Assessment page.
- Classroom Video OnDemand - specifically for grades 9-12. Offering a compilation of Films Media Group's best high school-level video content spanning the core subject areas with 9,300 titles. $3.00/student license. Purchase is by class or school size only.
- World Almanac Kids Online - includes exclusive online-only material as well as content from award-winning Chelsea House and Facts On File sets and series. Each subject area provides resources for elementary- and middle school-level homework, reports, and projects, and kids can explore age-appropriate topics while developing online research skills with a trusted content source.
Use http://find.adventisteducation.org/ to help market your school.
Conferences/Unions -
- Please update your information in eAdventist to include superintendents, associate superintendents, directors and associate directors. The union/conference directory will soon sync with eAdventist to be sure this data is always current.
- Help make sure the Data Rollup School Contact file is updated ASAP.
NAD "Report Card" - How have we done in the last 10 years? See the report here. Order them from Advent Source and share with your school parents and churches.
NAD Statistics for 2014-15 - See how things added up - based on Opening Report data.
Thanks for reviewing this information!
____________________________
Martha A. Ban
Director of Technology & Support
Office of Education
North American Division of SDA
adventisteducation.org
marthaban@nadadventist.org
FAQ for Data Rollup
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IN STEP FOR LIFE: LET'S MOVE DAY IS SEPTEMBER 20
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NEW LIBRARY MEDIA SPECIALIST INTRODUCED
Greetings Colleagues,
I am happy to inform you that Andrea Henry-Smith, our new Library/Media Resource Specialist, began work this past Monday. Andrea has worked as an educator and consultant for a number of years and has served in a variety of areas including instructional support, teacher effectiveness, and special education. The scope of her responsibility at the Southern Union will be to:
- provide leadership and expertise in acquiring and evaluating information resources in all formats
- master sophisticated electronic resources and maintain a constant focus on the nature, quality, and ethical use of information available in these and more traditional tools
- communicate with schools to explain the new library and information resources services
- work collaboratively with schools to define the policies of the library/information resources program and to guide and direct all the activities related to the program
- develop custom Mackin book lists to make certain books meet SDA standards
- assist with resource selection to ensure library collections are balanced and all Mackin services are fully utilized
- raise funds for books, e-books and other resources through the Mackin Funds4Books program
- locate free resources from state electronic libraries to support literacy and numeracy
- assist schools with cataloging services to generate MARC records and spine labels for books not purchased through Mackin
- maintain online catalog system (Surpass) which hosts each school’s online catalog
- update Surpass database as schools add new books and electronic resources to their collections
- assist with the transfer of MARC records from Surpass to the RenWeb Library Management component, as requested by schools
· develop statistical reports for schools, conferences, and the Southern Union
· develop and maintain library services website page
- manage budgets, equipment, and facilities
- oversee support personnel as needed
- plan, execute and evaluate the program to ensure its quality both at a general level and on a day to day basis
- identify additional services as indicated by school needs
You will receive additional communication from Andrea in the near future. As you have opportunity to interact with her please be sure to welcome her to the education team.
Debra Fryson
A.N.G.E.L. Transition Information
Dear Southern Union Educators,
In an effort to offer our schools twenty-first century library/media services and still maintain a viable program that is fiscally sound, the Southern Union Office of Education is in the process of revamping the library/media services we have provided through the A.N.G.E.L program. There will be a number of changes, and we will do our best to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible. Below is a list of some of things that will remain as well as a few things that will be done differently:
Things that remain:
·
We will continue to host the A.N.G.E.L program website (www.angelprogram.net) in order to provide continued online access to each school’s library catalog, while we transition.
·
We will continue to use Surpass library automation software. (A note to those who have any Surpass add-on services; for now your invoice from Surpass will still say ‘A.N.G.E.L Program,’ please remit payment to Surpass, as you have in the past, for the services you require for your individual program).
Things that have changed:
·
The Southern Union will order books for schools primarily through Mackin Educational Resources (www.mackin.com), an online PK -12 database of print materials, eBooks, audiobooks, videos and other resources. Mackin will ship books purchased through their program to schools with labels and barcodes affixed, and our office will up-date each school’s online catalog. This service will be available to schools after Data Roll-Up October 9, 2015. This process will ensure that book orders are based on actual enrollment data and not projected enrollment. Thus helping the library/media services program stay solvent.
· In addition, Christian supplemental materials will be ordered through the Adventist Book Center and Library and Educational Services, and will be shipped directly to the school. Our office will generate a MARC Record for each book, and add it to your online catalog. We will generate barcode labels for books listed, along with instructions for how to affix labels and barcodes.
· For all other resources that require cataloging—those either purchased by or given to the school—we are requesting that you email the office a book list containing the following information: Author name, book title, and ISBN. We will generate barcode labels for books listed, along with instructions for how to affix labels and barcodes. Our office will also generate a MARC Record for each book, and add it to your online catalog.
We will continue to update you as we go through this transitional period.
Yours in Christ,
Andrea Henry-Smith
Library/Media Resource Specialist
Southern Union Conference of S.D.A.
Mailing: P.O. Box 923868, Norcross, GA 30010
302 Research Drive, Norcross, GA 30092
Office: 770-408-1800 ext. 186 Fax: 770-408-1801
Email: asmith@southernunion.com
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Reporting Your Short Term Mission Projects
https://ovm.wufoo.com/forms/short-term-volunteer-survey/
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VIRTUAL SCHOOL INFORMATION
GSC TEAM. I RECENTLY RECEIVED THIS FROM THE ATLANTIC UNION. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE ALTERNATIVES TO OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND THE VARIETY OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE CONTINUE TO EXPAND. THIS IS ONE MORE REASON WHY WE MUST PROMOTE OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS, MARKET THEM AND DO THE VERY BEST JOB WE CAN TO BE SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE. THE OPTIONS ARE ONLY GOING TO INCREASE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT FOR OUR SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND PROFESSION!
August 2015
Dear Administrator, Pastor, or Teacher,
CCAVS, operating for more than 16 years, is an accredited Junior Academy in the Atlantic Union and an approved NAD Distance Education School open to students in grades 5-10. We do encourage elementary level students to attend their local church school if possible, but if for some reason they cannot, we gladly accept them. We do, however, encourage students leaving 8th grade to see what we offer for 9th and 10th.
Many 8th graders may be in a K-8 or K-9 school, are not near one of our day academies, may not want to go away to boarding school for 9th grade, may not be able to afford boarding academy, may not want to do correspondence studies with Griggs,and are left with public school as their only option. We offer one more alternative.
Students generally work from home with their computer,but in some cases where there is more than one interested student at a school (or church), sites may be set up there working with school or church boards.
If you are a pastor or administrator and know of children in your churches who have no access to our education system, please let them know about this. Visit our web site for information and contact numbers. www.adventist-home-school.com (it may say, when it opens, http://3angelschurch.com/ccavs but it is the same site). Also, feel free to call me with questions. (269-471-3981)
We want to keep our kids in the system.
Sincerely,
Sue Meikle
Principal, CCAVS
269-271-3981
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ORDERING MATERIALS: Dos and Donts
All schools should use the order forms and contact names/numbers published in the Textbook List found on line at adventistedge.org. When a school calls a company without going through this process, the reps who speak with them are often not familiar with the agreement established in the SDA contract for cost and receiving gratis (complimentary) materials. If orders are placed outside of our contractual agreement, although the materials may be the same, the company will not honor a request for a school to have the gratis materials. Schools may even pay a higher cost for items than what is stated in our contract, and the company may charge a restocking fee if materials are returned. In some cases, they may not allow the materials to be returned at all. This has already occurred and there is nothing our reps or anyone can do when this route is taken.
REPEATED FROM AUGUST NEWSLETTER: Resources: Free and Discounted!!!!
Free Resources
- Britannica - A leading provider of learning and knowledge products and is one of the world’s most trusted sources of information, Encyclopedia Britannica offers many resources geared toward schools, including free web instruction. NAD Education members have online access to Encyclopedia Britannica.
- Visual Thesaurus - An ideal teaching resource for children of all ages with a visually captivating display that engages students in learning new words and concepts. For school or conference virtual training, contact: Ed Antoine. For account information, contact Martha Ban
- AU Teacher Bulletin - A resource created by teachers offering integrated multi-age/multi-grade units and additional materials for Seventh-Day Adventist Christian educators designed to present teachers with creative and resourceful ideas that integrate Christian principles with cutting-edge technology, contemporary theories, and teaching trends.
Discounted Online Student/Teacher Resources
The following web-based resources are provided at special education pricing for NAD affiliated SDA schools. The Online Adventist Education Store opens for new orders on August 1. Orders for all resources must be placed and paid for in the online store and will not be taken after September 16. (NO EXCEPTIONS) Subscription periods run from October 1 (+/-) to September 30.Place and pay for your resources in our online store.
Elementary
- BRAINPOP
BrainPOP is used in numerous ways from introducing a new lesson or topic to illustrating complex subject matter to reviewing before a test.
BrainPOP: Jr.: $1.95/student BrainPOP: $2.30/student BrainPOP ESL: $1.50/student - IXL
IXL Math is a comprehensive learning solution that provides students with unlimited, adaptive math content.
IXL English Language Arts is a rigorous language arts practice program.
Math: $5.15/student ELA: $5.15/student Both: $10.30/student (Bundle) - LEARN 360
Access constantly updated relevant digital resources online to enhance your classroom instruction.
$3/student - LEARNING A-Z
Delivers the PreK-6 resources teachers need to do more. Prices for each product for a 12-month subscription
Reading: A-Z $73.06 RAZ-Kids: $73.06 Reading Solution: $137.56 (Bundle) Vocabulary A-Z: $25.76 Science A-Z: $51.56 Writing A-Z: $60.16 Headsprout: $137.56 - IMAGINE EASY SCHOLAR
Students are supported by digital annotation, writing and organization tools; educators get a window to students’ work.
$2.25/student/year - TYPING PAL ONLINE
Typing Pal Online is web-based keyboarding that provides engaging and effective instruction for K-12 at school AND home.
$0.72/student/year - VOCABULARY SPELLINGCITY
Interactive educational web site where students build vocabulary knowledge and improve spelling skills.
$18.00/10 students (minimum of 10, $1.80 for each student over 10) - WEBSPIRATION CLASSROOM
Online diagramming, graphic organizer, mind mapping and outlining tool for writing, brainstorming and collaboration.
$4/student/year - WORLD ALMANAC ONLINE KIDS - includes exclusive online-only material as well as content from award-winning Chelsea House and Facts On File sets and series. Each subject area provides resources for elementary- and middle school-level homework, reports, and projects, and kids can explore age-appropriate topics while developing online research skills with a trusted content source.
$1.00/student/year
- WEBSPIRATION CLASSROOM
Online diagramming, graphic organizer, mind mapping and outlining tool for writing, brainstorming and collaboration.
$4/student/year - IMAGINE EASY SCHOLAR
Students are supported by digital annotation, writing and organization tools; educators get a window to students’ work.
$2.25/student/year - TYPING PAL ONLINE
Typing Pal Online is web-based keyboarding that provides engaging and effective instruction for K-12 at school AND home.
$0.72/student/year - IXL
IXL Math is a comprehensive learning solution that provides students with unlimited, adaptive math content.
IXL English Language Arts is a rigorous language arts practice program.
Math: $5.15/student ELA: $5.15/student Both: $10.30/student (Bundle) - BRAINPOP
BrainPOP is used in numerous ways from introducing a new lesson or topic to illustrating complex subject matter to reviewing before a test.
BrainPOP: $2.30/student BrainPOP ESL: $1.50/student - CLASSROOM VIDEO ON DEMAND - specifically for grades 9-12. Offering a compilation of Films Media Group's best high school-level video content spanning the core subject areas with 9,300 titles.
$3.00/student license. Purchase is by class or school size only.
- CENTURION SmartShield® endpoint protection creates a virtual space where all unwanted changes are wiped away upon reboot. SmartControl Resource Manager allows you to manage all the features of your SmartShield® clients remotely without having to leave your office.
$4.50/single license $2.25/yearly maintenance fee
- ANONYMOUS ALERTS Helps students anonymously report bullying, weapons on campus, drugs, depression, cutting and other sensitive student issues. $215/school for 12 months (+$179 one-time setup & training fee.)
- WORLD ALMANAC ONLINE KIDS - includes exclusive online-only material as well as content from award-winning Chelsea House and Facts On File sets and series. Each subject area provides resources for elementary- and middle school-level homework, reports, and projects, and kids can explore age-appropriate topics while developing online research skills with a trusted content source.
$1.00/student/year
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Gulf States Conference, Southern Union, North American Division
September 22: Board of Education and Bass Memorial Academy Boards
September 24: SWECE at Montgomery Office
September 28-October 16: ITBS Testing Window
October 12: Gulf States Conference Executive Committee
College Drive, August 2015
Faith Adventist, August 2015
Community Christian, August 2015
Adventist Christian Academy, September 2015
Emerald Coast Christian School, September 2015
Pensacola Junior Academy, September 2015
Mobile Junior Academy, September 2015
Bass Christian Elementary, September 2015
Bass Memorial Academy, September 2015
GSC Educator Birthdays: September/October
Gulf States Conference of SDA
Vice-President for Education
Email: shobbs@gscsda.org
Website: www.gscsda.org
Location: 10633 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL, United States
Phone: 334-272-7493
Twitter: @GSC_Education