SLES PTA Meeting January 14 2014 Agenda January

SLES PTA Meeting January 14, 2014

Agenda January PTA Business O Approval of November Meeting Minutes O Budget Update O Upcoming Events Technology Discussion O SLES Technology Needs O Where other cluster schools stand O Discussion

January PTA Business O Approval of November Meeting Minutes O Review Nov. 12 - Jan. 13 Budget Report O Upcoming events

November 12 - December 9, 2013 (cont. )

Upcoming Events O Sixth Grade Bingo O O O Night Spelling Bee Science and Engineering Fair Multicultural Night Spring Fling Trash to Treasure Art Night Volunteer Needs O Multicultural Night Chair O Teacher Appreciation Monthly Lunch Coordinator O Spring Fling Help O Arts Coordinator

Technology i. Pads O Total cost of 30 i. Pads is $22, 218 O Main wish of teachers O 77% of parents surveyed approved of purchase O Of those saying no, many wanted more details before agreeing to purchase Laptops O SLES is severely short of laptops and many that we have on hand are in poor condition

Where the Cluster Stands Elementary Schools Carl Sandburg Middle School O Waynewood now has O No plans for i. Pads at 120 i. Pads, 4 carts O Hollin Meadows has a few since they had 20 stolen last year O Fort Hunt has them for Special Needs Program O Belle View has a handful this point O Focusing on bettering the student/laptop ratio O Beginning work on BYOD

Waynewood (furthest along in Cluster in i. Pad usage) Here are the reasons Waynewood has invested heavily in i. Pads and some results WW has seen: 1. Ease of use 2. Instant on not wait time for boot-up 3. Less repairs and problems than computers 4. Kids are very comfortable using them 5. With little training teachers are very comfortable using them 6. Allows kids to learn in new ways 7. Using technology that kids are already using 8. Apps that target specific skills and standards 9. Promotes a great deal of creativity and thinking 10. Research, create, and present on one device 11. Allows for exciting learning projects not possible on computers such as QR Codes, Augmented Reality, and apps that do some amazing things 12. Engaging: - Kids with behaviors tend to have less behaviors - Kids who are very talkative tend to become more engaged - Addresses the needs of a variety of learners

How Waynewood uses i. Pads O O O Popplet (like Kidspiration & Inspiration), allows students to research a topic oni. Pad, gather info, organize it into a web & add pictures, then project & present to class. Scavenger hunts - going around the school looking for shapes & then taking photo Learning about other people and topics, such as bringing i. Pads to the science fair, taking notes and pictures of science presentations. Then this is brought back to class to present to peers. Accessing Blackboard and school websites. ; center work Todaysmeet. com to encourage discussions and share info such as websites. Polleverywhere. com to gather data and create exit tickets. Storytelling apps such as Toontastic or Puppetpals to create stories which may include pictures, artwork, text and narration. Also great for developing social skills Whiteboard apps such as Screen. Chomp and Showme to demonstrate and share skills and ideas with others. QR Codes - links to videos, student writing or artwork, scavenger hunt, general information, answering questions, games Google Apps - creating documents and presentations individually or as a team, sharing with other students and teachers, email, calendar/shared calendar Access to My. On or Tumble. Books for reading

Money Matters O Rock ‘n Run Funds O The PTA is currently working on writing grants for technology and art initiatives O Asking for donations of equipment from businesses, families, etc