21st Century Learning Night

Top 3 Reasons to Come to 21st Century Learning Night

1.  Last year we had over 40 faculty presenters, over 800 attendees, and it is one of the top events the Curriculum Office organizes each year!  

In addition, we have raffles and door prizes for all presenters and guests!

2.  Many teachers invite students who "run" the table and to help showcase the topic.  Those students feel honored to be asked to come and share their work, as well as gaining a feeling of community.   Typically their parents feel very honored and happy to bring them on the night of the event.

In addition, have your considered signing up with another teacher?  By doing so, this allows you to take turns at the table, which allows you time to explore the other exhibits!

3.  As a spectator, you're able to get ideas to engage your students and may see something that you have "never thought of before".   

 In addition, your students (past and present) will love seeing you roaming the exhibits!   As a spectator, consider bringing your own family with you!

*And if all that is not enough- teachers get Act 48 hours, as well as 4 hours of pay for signing up as a presenter!  (More information in regards to these 2 items will come out in May after final teacher registrations are complete!)

If you are able to present, please fill in the form by May 1st. 

Click here for the 21st Century Learning Night website to see pictures and videos from the past, and to see some of what's in store for this year's event!

Why OneNote?

Why OneNote?

This weeks Thursday Three discusses several interesting uses of OneNote, a digital binder that students and teachers can use within the classroom.  While it has a tremendous amount of features, here are a few that work really well in the classroom.

A Digital Binder

OneNote functions just like a student notebook - a "file" for all their work.  Instead of multiple files to keep track of, students can place all of their information in one place, divided using virtual "tabs" just like a three ring notebook.  Check out a visual representation of the OneNote binder here, which becomes even better with the "Class Notebook" feature discussed below.

Class Notebook

OneNote becomes even more powerful with our Office 365 configuration at Pennridge.  The Class Notebook feature allows you to create a virtual "shelf" of digital binders, one for each student that you will have access to anytime, anywhere.  This is perfect for longterm assignments, as you can see and comment on their progress without students having to "share" or "turn-in" drafts - comments can go right in their notebook seamlessly.  Here is a guide to setting up a class notebook.

Teacher E-Mails and Notes

Teachers are constantly getting e-mails they need to "save" to look at later, and often get buried in their inbox or within a long list of folders.  OneNote is a strong solution to this problem.  After creating a notebook (see how to do so here) Outlook contains a button that will send any e-mail to OneNote, including attachments, for safe keeping and an ease of organization.  See how to do it with this short tutorial here.

Please contact Chris Brockman or Erin Reichert if you would like to give OneNote a try!

Please use this link to sign-up for 21st Century Learning Night!

Photos on iPads, PowerTeacher Gradebook email functionality, and Safety and Security

1.  Adding Pictures to Google Drive

If you are a teacher who uses iPads to take pictures, there are two options to move your photos from the iPad.  Please click here for directions on using Google Drive for picture files (to save and/or to print).   *Reminder, please remove pictures and videos from the iPads when they are no longer needed.

2.  PowerTeacher Gradebook Email Function is now operational.

After a tremendous amount of research, the e-mail functionality is operational within PowerTeacher Gradebook.  This function will allow you to e-mail parents that have inputted their information into the PowerSchool Portal, and should send you a copy of that e-mail within your Pennridge e-mail account.  Please see the tutorial developed by Cara Gurysh, the Media and Technology Integrator at Pennridge High School.  

3.  Safety and Security (contributed by Diane Miller, Director of Technology)

I want to ensure that everyone is aware of and comfortable with the paging capabilities and the emergency button on the new Cisco VoIP system.

Paging

Paging is accessible from each phone in the district by dialing a 6-digit extension.  The codes for all-call building wide paging are listed below.  It is your building code + 5501.  Deibler is different as they are set up to do some additional zone paging. The DAO is part of the HS paging system and can be reached separately or as part of the High School.

• Bedminster – 535501

• Deibler – 545506 – *different than other schools*

• Grasse – 555501

• Guth – 975501

• Sellersville – 985501

• Seylar – 525501

• West Rockhill – 605501

• Central – 705501

• North – 855501

• South – 995501

• High School – 115501

• District Administration Office –  115502

• High School and District Administration Office – 115503

Once you dial the extension, you will hear several tones and you can begin to speak.  This can be done from an admin phone or a classroom phone.  It is even possible to page between buildings.

Please make sure all staff members know the building all-call number.

Emergency Button

The classroom phones have an Emergency Button programmed.  This is NOT for 911 emergency calls.   This button rings multiple phones including the principal/vice principal/secretary/security (HS) in your building.  It is to be used when someone has to be reached QUICKLY in the event of a classroom/hallway emergency that does not require an immediate 911 call.  Once someone picks up the phone, the other phones will cease ringing.   The person who picked up first now ‘owns’ the call and should take the necessary actions to deal with the situation.   If an event occurs where you have to call 911 directly, you may do so by either dialing 911 or 8911.   The Emergency Button should not be used as a speed dial to get to the front office.

Click here for an Excel sheet listing those employees who receive the emergency call in each building.   The phone display will show Classroom xxx – Emergency. 

Please use this link to sign-up for 21st Century Learning Night!

Pete-C

PETE-C

Please take a look at some takeaways from the Pennridge teachers and administrators that attended this year's PETE-C Conference in Hershey Pennsylvania.  This Sway presentation (linked here or embedded below) offers a great deal of insight from the conference, and other great ideas will continue to be featured in upcoming posts.

Math App, Microsoft Updates, and Skype

1.  Math SchoolKit App (for iPads)- 

Recently approved for the app catalog is a phenomenal app for the iPads that includes math manipulatives.  Some features include money, drawing coins, 100s chart, arrays, fractions, number line and number tiles, 10 frames, bar graphs, shapes, and more!  Definitely worth checking out to use in your math class!  Seesaw Users- The kids can screenshot their work and upload to Seesaw quite easily!
     To view other apps on the Elementary App Catalog, please click here!

2. Microsoft Updates

Your computer should be restarted at least one time per week.  By doing this, you will notice that its functionality is more efficient because essential Microsoft updates can occur.

3.  Skype

Last week we shared some ideas for using Skype in your classroom.  This week, we saw classes visit Jefferson's Monticello, The Lincoln Museum and Library, George and Martha Washington, and Mount Rainier National Park.  If you need help contacting presenters, please let us know.  In addition, if you haven't added a Skype you took part in to the Pennridge Skype site, please take a minute to do so!  Pennridge has been traveling all over the world!

                                                              Click the picture to enlarge!

PowerSchool, Outlook, and Skype

Power School Drop Down Menu

Please make sure that, when viewing your grades in the second quarter, that you have selected "2017-2018" school year in order to see your current students.  It is easy to miss when changing menus for grading purposes.

Desktop Outlook E-Mail

By far the best way to view your e-mail at Pennridge is through the Outlook desktop application, which can be found in the Start Menu.  A more exhaustive calendar, a word processor interface for writing e-mail, and task lists that help organize upcoming due dates are a few of the features available.  Perhaps the best part of all - you don't have to type your username and password.  Check out the 15 second tutorial on how to set it up and a basic overview of Outlook's features.

Presidents' Day Skype Opportunities

The Microsoft Educator Community offers some excellent opportunities for most any lesson idea, including President's Day.  These Skype opportunities can be done all week, so it is a great way to work President's Day into your Social Studies lessons sometime in early February. 

• Inside the Vault at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum
• Mystery Skype at the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum
• Visit Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Save the Date!

May 29, 2018

6:30 to 8:30 P.M. 

Pennridge High School

Snipping Tool, VPN, and Online stories and podcasts

1.  Snipping Tool- 

 The snipping tool has been a user favorite in the past 6 months!  Once you use this tool, you'll never remember what you did without it.  To snip/cut a part of your screen, simply select the Window button in the bottom left, and choose Snipping Tool.  Then hit create new and use your mouse to snip around what you need.  This is especially helpful for screenshots, tutorials, making presentations, and so much more!

2.  VPN directions

Here are the reminders for logging into the Pennridge Network from home.  There are many reasons why you may want to do this.  Please note:  It is also imperative that you are on the Pennridge Network for signing into OTS.
Teacher Issued Devices Directions

3.  K-8 Online Stories and Podcasts 

Many teachers have been using Storylineonline.net (they just added some new books),  EPIC! books, or similar sites for online libraries, but I wanted you to also know about this wonderful site for listening to online stories, podcasts, and more!  Please take a moment to look at Kid Lit TV.