UnderwoodES Media Tech

To complete a student device audit for WCPSS, please help us with the following details: The device audit will be conducted starting on Monday, April 4th throughout each morning. We will start with K-2 and work up to 3-5 classrooms.  Remind students that all devices should be on campus each day until the audit is completed.  Store all devices in the carts for this week as much as possible.   Roll device carts near the doorway for quick access so as not to disturb your classroom.  All devices with damage will be given a help desk request for repair during this time.  This audit will help us prepare for the needs of upcoming EOG testing as well as understand our needs for next year.   Thank you for your support! Let Elizabeth and I know if you have any questions.  ~Star

  ~ iPads ~ The transition to managed iPads was a great deal more work than I was anticipating.  Each step lead to more steps and we were audited in the middle of it all.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.  Here are the details of their status and ideas for their use.   Jamf is a program from Apple that WCPSS uses to support Apple devices.  Some of the benefits:   remote connection from tech services security for users and services virus protection customized, bulk pricing App store Some things that may take some getting used to:   Devices are in categories/groups and apps requested will be loaded to that group of devices.  The categories I chose were K-2, 3-5, Media Services, and Specialists. Currently, there is little difference between the categories. Anyone can check out a device from any category.    A  few are currently designated as Staff and checked out to those using them previously. ...

  #readacrossunderwood Although we tend to focus strictly on the day, Read Across America is actually a year-round event.  The National Education Association launched Read Across America in 1998. The goal has always been to encourage reading.  You may recall a previous focus of this event being centered on Dr. Seuss's birthday.  The NEA 'rebranded' Read Across America in 2019 to offer a more broad focus on celebrating diversity in literature. Each year, titles are highlighted where all readers can see themselves reflected in the pages.  At Underwood, we will celebrate #readacrossunderwood from Feb. 28- March 4th this year.  Here are the details and a daily Google slide to support you.   I encourage you as well to include Mrs. Mankin and myself in your week.  Let us know if you need books, a shared story time or anything else.  We are here to help.   ~Star

  “Google' is not a synonym for 'research'.” ―  Dan Brown,  The Lost Symbol Google it!  We are certainly all guilty of seeking out Google for everything from recipes to the latest weather report (come on snow!). As I work in my electives and throughout classrooms, I find that students are very much the same.  Don't know the answer? Google it!    Now, do not get me wrong with the meaning of this post...I am not by any means saying that we are leading students to do that, it is just a natural response and what they are often exposed to. Google is an amazing search engine.  However, here are some of the reasons we should encourage students to seek out their information elsewhere:  Google is a search engine and should not be cited as a source of information on school work.  Google is profit-driven, you get results that may make the company money, not always the most relevant information.  Anyone can publish anything online, you cannot ...

Lots of Technology Updates  "Getting information off the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant."   Mitch Kapor   https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mitch_kapor_163583?src=t_technology   Reboot ALL devices on Fridays From Chris Shearer,  Senior Administrator for Digital Resources: We currently have about 20,000 Chromebooks not running the latest version.  Regular rebooting would help cut down on that.  Since we went to ‘close lid to lock’ for devices for COVID, devices do not always get rebooted.  Chrome OS will download updates but takes a reboot to apply those updates.  The best practice for staff and students is a regular weekly reboot.  Underwood will work toward this on Fridays.  Videos for student and staff info will be created this week.  WakeConnect message referenced:  https://wakeconnect.wcpss.net/sites/technology/News/59189/action-needed-restart-wcpss-issued-devices-once-per-week KnowBe4 Phishing Tr...

 Read Strong Bookfair is coming! Underwood Media Center will be hosting a Bedford Falls 'Read Strong' Book Fair on December 2-9, 2021! Thank you to the PTA team for leading this process.  The following documents will support you with all things Bookfair-related!  Thank you to those who have signed up for Moonlight Reading Dec. 7, 2021 from 7-8.  You may still join in/share a space with someone for K-2 and 3-5.   Here is information for teachers .   This document includes details including these highlights:  Sign up for a buying day on the Shared document 2021 Teacher Preview and Buying Times in Google Drive.  bit.ly/2021BookFairTimeSlot   Create your own Wish list and please email Megan Delong bluemeg3@gmail.com  when the list is complete Teacher & Staff preview all day Friday, Dec 3rd. Prepackaged snacks and beverages will be available. Vouchers, Gift Certificates, and more Any questions, ask us or Email Astrid Olfenbutte...