Communication

=Communication=

Please share your thoughts, opinions, suggestions and resources about how we can communicate more effectively with each other and administrators...

Not sure if this is where you want this info or not- but after the meeting the last day of school I emailed the technology deptment (I looked for the email but when cleaning out my email-I must have deleted it)and said that I had heard that they were already imaging the computers for 2003. I asked if I could have at least 2007 if not 2010 put on my jr. high computers so that I could begin using it myself and integrating it into my curriculum. At that point, Mr Leister asked me if that was "given permission" to do so with the articulated curriculum, and I said at this point there has been nothing written curriculum wise or any decision made as to what version we were to be using. My personal opinion was that yes, while it would be more work, I would prefer to start using the newest version. Mr. Leister said that he would be talking to Dr. Albaugh and that we would be notified of any decisions. Jr. high is probably different than the high school in that I have "made up" 95% of what I teach so that a change in software is not a huge issue. I actually am excited that I have "new" material to cover with the kids- challenging them to learn a new word version. While it will take more curriculum time than previous years- I think for the Jr. high it should not be a problem. I cannot speak for the high school teachers though, who have classes every day-using several new programs in each class without resources to use. This will be //very// challenging. It was my hopes that this new software could be //tiered// in that the seventh and eigth graders begin using it and then when they get to the high school- the new software could be implemented along with resources and prepared teachers. These are just my thoughts-hopefully no one will take offense to anything--as it isn't against anyone elses thoughts or opinions.
 * Wendy Varner**

=March 2010= (Specific notes about this meeting are at work. Please add to this or modify it as necessary.)

A meeting was held at district office. Administrators Present: Dr. Albaugh, Dr. Hughes, Mr. Apple, Mr. Fausey, Mrs. Holderman, Mr. Bennett (?) Teachers Present: Mrs. Varner, Ms. Mummah, Mr. Sieber, Mr. Devine, Mrs. Slocum We discussed the possibility of upgrading the Office software from 2003 to 2007. We brainstormed ideas about how to get away from version-specific textbooks. At no point was it determined that the upgrade was actually going to occur for the 2010-2011 school year. Dr. Albaugh asked us to explore the possibilities we discussed.

=May 2010= (Specific notes about this meeting are at work. Please add to this or modify as necessary.)

A meeting was held in Room 112 at East Juniata. Administrators Present: Dr. Albaugh, Dr. Hughes, Mr. Apple, Mr. Fausey, Mrs. Holderman, Mr. Bennett (?) Teachers Present: Mrs. Varner, Mr. Devine, Mr. Ritzman, Mrs. Slocum We discussed the junior high curriculum and how E.J. can more closely articulate with T.J.H.S. After discussion about what is covered at each school, Dr. Albaugh asked us to begin working on the 7th grade curriculum over the summer.

=Other Information=

May 2010
Mr. Leister sparked Mrs. Slocum stating that the Tech Dept. was beginning to build the image for the student computers for the 2010-2011 school year. He asked what version of Office to image. Mrs. Slocum stated that no final decision was made concerning the upgrade, but that we should use 2003 for one more year while we worked on the curriculum. Mrs. Slocum shared this information with Mr. Fausey, and he was in agreement.

June 3, 2010
Teachers met in Room 112 at East Juniata for the final work day. No one stated that they knew about an upgrade for the new school year. It was assumed that we would continue with Office 2003 for one more year.

June 21, 2010
Teachers received an email from Mr. Leister stating that the computer labs and the mobile labs will be equipped with Office 2010 for the 2010-2011 school year.

Mrs. Slocum spoke with Mr. Fausey about the poor timing of this decision and how unfair it is to do this to teachers and students at this time.

June 22, 2010
Mrs. Slocum spoke to Dr. Hughes about the upgrade to Office 2010. She stated that an intern working with the Tech Department will be gathering resources for teachers and arranging a possible training opportunity.