Graduation/teachers’ last day was Friday and I have to say this was a pretty strange year end for me.  Usually, I’m sad to see the kids go and all keyed up, but instead I was very calm and other than worrying over technical issues, I was just happy to have the whole thing over with. I guess it was because only one of “my” students was graduating, whereas, in the past I’ve had a handful or more graduating.  I did, however, enjoy the get together with some of our faculty at Hartley’s Pond to celebrate the closing of another successful year.   BTW, the image I’ve inserted was the one I wanted to use on the senior tribute video, but while it fit my personality, I didn’t think it would please everyone in the audience – not as dignified as the event should be I guess.  Instead, I used a photo of baby shoes.

This year was a busy one: ERT, HSTW, Five Year Renewal Plan, new administration, new policies and procedures, new faculty members, freshman academy, etc.  I think this year was a successful one – as with past years, it had it’s ups and downs, but overall, I think there were more positives than negatives.  We’ve got a handful of teacher turnover: 2 retireing, 2 moving on, 1 left in 3rd quarter due to her husbands job transfer, shuffling of positions, new teachers coming in, … things should be just as exciting and hectic next year.

But, I still have two more workdays left for me this year – both will be spent in meetings: Aiken County Media Educators on Monday and a TAV (Technical Assistance Visit) Workshop on Wednesday.  Then the summer vacation officially begins.  Hopefully, it will be a good one – time for me to recharge and prepare for next year.  Here is a short list of my plans for the summer:

√ Graduation Video – I have to work on the graduation video this week.  My deadline is June 16th and I don’t want to put it off – I want it to be a great souvenir.  This is only the 2nd year we’ve been selling them since I came to Wagener.  I don’t want anyone to be disappointed with it.  Completed!

√ Upstate Technology Conference, Greenville, SC (June 23-25) – Very much enjoyed my time there last year and looking forward to learning even more this time around.  I’m also looking forward to seeing some old and new friends.  Completed! Notes to follow soon!

2 Read or Not 2 Read Blog (not up and running YET) – I created a blog for my teens and the students from Midland Valley to correspond over the books they are reading for our book club(s) next year.  Unfortunately, I have to submit a proposal to the powers that be for approval before I can open it up.  Wish me luck.

√ Process new books – Our school received a Palmetto Silver Award that came with a monetary award that my principal graciously allowed me part of in order to place my one and only book order for the year.  I received the books ON GRADUATION DAY! *sigh* but at least I’ll have new books for the kids in August. Completed!

Reading!!! - I have a LOT of books to read over the summer.  My goal is to read most, if not all, of the SC Young Adult Book Award Nominees for this year.  I also need to re-read My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult as I’m going to use it as one of our book club selections next year.  There are a bunch of new YA titles I want to get to as well – see my LibraryThing widget/catalog.  I’ll be updating it with the books we just received.  I have a huge backlog of book review magazines (Voya, School Library Journal, Library Media Connection, etc.) that I have to go through and update my “wish list” in case we actually have money next year.  Of course, there are some adult titles/authors I want to finally get to this summer as well.

“Scrapbooking” – I put that in quotation marks as I’m not actually going to do any scrapbooking, but its the only term that comes to mind.  I’ve got 4 years of drama club photos and memorabilia that I need to organize and put in some kind of display.  The photos I want to turn into picture books to keep in the library.  The memorabilia I’m going to try to put in some kind of memory/shadow boxes or something.  Just not sure what since it consists of t-shirts, photos, awards/metals, programs, etc.

Moodle/PowerSchool – Our state is changing over its student records program/system.  I need to learn how to use it before the teachers get back.  I have to train them on how to use the PowerTeacher features (attendance, gradebook) and see what other perks it contains.  I was told it was “moodle-like” but from what I’ve “seen” I’m not so sure.  I have to figure it all out before our Moodle subscription runs out so decisions can be made.  I hope we keep Moodle, but if PowerSchool will do the same thing and is paid by the district, there is no point in paying extra for Moodle.  Anyone out there use PowerSchool who could answer some questions for me?

Ten Minute Tech – I want to offer short introductions to different technology at our faculty meetings next year.  I need to identify, learn to use (if I don’t already know!), and create handouts for the things I want to cover.  Basically, a mini 23 Things kind of overview where teachers can either explore the tools on their own or sign up with me for more indepth workshops.  There will be some software items in there, too, like: Windows Movie Maker, PhotoStory, Inspiration, Library Card Catalog, using/accessing the student drive, etc.

Okay, that’s a start on my “to do list” even though I have a LOT more to do over the summer.  I do plan to spend some time relaxing.  The pool is finally fixed and up and running – and as soon as it’s not green anymore I’ll be spending part of my days out there floating and reading.  Maybe I’ll actually get a tan this summer!

On year ago today the first blog article, Up and Running!, was posted here at Tech Tips & Timely Tidbits.  Since then there have been 86 posts with 115 comments – an average of seven posts a month.  Not too shabby, especially since I tend to forget and/or am at a loss of what to write about.

Reflecting back upon the posts from this past year, I would like to think that I achieved my initial goal – to share news and tips in technology and education.  I would like to think those of you who are reading the blog have found the links and news I’ve shared to be useful.

The most commented upon posts were: Up and Running! – with 13 comments;  Banned Book Week & My Favorite Podcasts – both with 7 comments; and “Books w/Bite” TRW 2008 – with 6 comments.  Of course, a few of those comments were my responses, but still, I appreciate the folks who let me know they were reading my words.  I hope more folks will drop a line just to let me know you’re out there!

Thanks for tagging along for the last year, and I hope you stick around for the next ones!

Heather

FlickrCC: “birthday – 1934” by Foxtongue

More from Thursday:

I forgot to mention the fun I had last night at dinner with Cathy Nelson, Jessica Donaldson, Chris Craft and Fran Bullington at the Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery – after Chris made us walk all the way around Broadway at the Beach!  Not that I minded, too much, as I don’t believe I’ve ever visited there at night.  It was neat to see the lights and walk over the bridges.  And I got a kick out of watching Chris get so excited about feeding the fish.  Those were some HUGE fish – they were even biting the ducks!  Of course, I also teased him about the idea that you’re supposed to work OFF a meal, not work up to a meal!

From the “Encouraging Reading Through Technology” session I wanted to expand more on my notes regarding the “Senior Athletes Read” program.  The READ posters/trading cards are of only senior student athletes.  The posters are displayed around the school and at the games.  Their school has a specific block/period during the school day (4th block?) for athletic practice.  During this block, the coaches have made arrangements for the athletes to read to elementary classes.  The media specialists design the posters and trading cards and photograph the students.  The posters are printed on an HP Designjet printer and are laminated.  Other items I failed to mention include banners promoting reading are paraded during pep rallies “Win, Fight, Read” or something like that.  Another program was their book club – they read The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson and invited their local coroner to participate & talk about her job. Resources on their handout:

• Photostory
• Scholastic Video Booktalks
• Blogs
• CrazyTalk
• Turning PowerPoint slides into a screen saver

Friday:

I did decide to sleep in an extra hour!  So there were only two sessions I attended; however, both were excellent and ended EdTech on a high note.

Reaching Out Beyond the Walls: Distance Learning for Everyone – presented by John Woodring.  Despite some technical difficulties with the Internet access, this was an interesting session using Wiziq for distance training/meetings.  I’ve been toying with learning a system (preferably free) that we can use in our district media specialist association to provide access to our meetings/workshops for folks who can’t make it in person to our meetings.  Despite the technical difficulties, I found it interesting to chat with folks he’s been collaborating with.

Using Excel for More Than Spreadsheets! – presented by Donna Goldsmith from the SC Department of Education.  She showed examples of using Excel for interactivity in the classroom.  This session was awesome and Donna was a blast.  I so would have loved to have been in her classroom as a kid (or adult!)  Since she said her materials would be on the EdTech website, I didn’t take notes; however, as of right now they are not there.  I’ve emailed her for copies and would be happy to forward them on once I get them.

I will say the items she showed were real “wow” as well as “duh” moments for me.  For example: inserting a map of the US as the background (turning off the grid lines) then using comments to enter the state name/capitals (making sure to resize the columns and rows really small).  You could also put a picture of any diagram (cell structure, disection photo, etc.) of anything you want to label and use comments and/or create a matching type worksheet.  DUH! moment for me.

I didn’t stick around for the Luncheon.  Mom and I had a nice lunch at Margaritaville and did a little more shopping and walked around The Gay Dolphin before heading back to the condo.  You can see more of the photos my Mom snapped while we were in Myrtle Beach on my Flickr Photostream.

Saturday we had an early breakfast (well early for me since I don’t usually get up unil well after 10am if I’m on vacation or weekends) and checked out of the condo.  We stopped at the 501 Tanger outlets, had lunch, and headed on home.  Since we were passing by the Sumter Outlet mall, we just had to stop – boy is it NOT worth the stop.  There were only like 8 stores, but Mom could have stayed there and spent some money at the Antiques store.  We got home after dark and couldn’t bring outselves to empty out the car.  Spent all day Sunday unpacking and getting organized for today.  Since there was no food in the house we headed into Orangeburg to the IHOP!  Pecan Coffee Cake Pancakes, YUM! So, another fall vacation has come and gone.  Time to get back to work.

PS:  Oooh, reminder for everyone to plan for the Upstate Technology Conference: “Teach Tomorrow Today,” June 23 – 25, 2009.  The Call for Presentations is open.