The Hour of Code

December 4 - 10 is Computer Science in Education Week, which marks a global effort to introduce students to computer science and learn the basics of coding. While some may think that computer science is all about learning technology, the reality is that computer science fosters skills that include logical reasoning, problem solving, and creativity. The Hour of Code offers an opportunity for teachers in classrooms around the world to introduce their students to the basics of coding. Check out the slideshow below for some facts and figures that highlight the importance of teaching computer science in K-12 institutions. If you'd like to participate in the Hour of Code, rest assured that YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW HOW TO CODE! The Hour of Code website is filled with lesson activities that can be sorted by grade level and topic.

Still not convinced? Check out the level of engagement and the collaborative efforts among Mrs. Chomysak, Mrs. Schulz, and Mrs. Gauthier's 4th-grade students at Onondaga Road Elementary. Please contact Barb Ritch if you would like support for coding in your classroom!

Winter is Coming...Prepare your Snow Day Tool Kit Now!

Let's face it...kids LOVE Snow Days. But disruptions to the schedule can really throw off a teacher's plans, especially with looming high-stakes testing on the horizon. Instructional technology tools and strategies and digital teaching materials can help make learning happen, even in the event of untimely disruptions to the school calendar. The trick is to be prepared.

Share Digital Materials
Cloud-based digital storage via Google Drive allows you to access and share your files with anyone from virtually any digital device. Further, your school Google account offers unlimited storage. Whether it is .pdfs, video and audio content, Microsoft Office files, or Google Docs, Google Drive allows you to upload your content and share the links to your files with anyone, anywhere. Learn more about Google Drive.

Establish a Web Presence
Having a web presence to act as a "storefront" for students to access your materials is key. From this hub, you could share digital materials with your students in one location, providing them the opportunity to read instructional materials, view instructional videos, or view custom screencasts. Google Sites is one tool that can help you share digital content with your students for 24/7 access. Learn more about the "new" Google Sites.

Provide Opportunities for Interaction and Assessment
Students today are immersed in social media--Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are but a few examples. Educators can capitalize on students' proclivity toward the sense of belonging or community that many of these social media sites provide by establishing a virtual classroom for students to interact in a supervised, positive, and instructional capacity. Google Classroom and several other social learning tools all have features that allow students to enroll in a teacher-created class to participate in discussions and online assessments, even when they aren't physically in class. Learn more about Google Classroom.

Communicate with Families
Snow days are unpredictable, which means teachers have little time or opportunity to let students know what they can do in the event of a school closing. There are several digital services, however, that allow for such communication. Students and families can opt-in to Remind, a website that allows teachers to send timely text messages as well as attachments. Learn more about Remind.

Featured Chrome Extension: Whisper by EdTechTeam

Have you ever wanted to announce something to your entire class, but didn't want to interrupt their workflow? Or perhaps you wanted to communicate with an individual student without addressing the entire class? The Whisper by EdTechTeam Chrome Extension will allow you to send a message right to each student's screen. Whisper imports students from your Google Classroom to allow you send messages to the entire class or to individual students. View the video tutorial below for a brief demonstration and visit the Whisper website to get started.

Featured Chrome Extension: Share to Classroom

Google Classroom offers teacher the opportunity to establish a digital workflow with their students as well as foster 21st-century skills like communication and collaboration. With Classroom, you can post announcements, create assignments, and ask questions.

There may be occasions, however, when you don't have time to update your Google Classroom. Perhaps you simply want to share a website on the fly during the course of a lesson. The Share to Classroom Chrome extension will allow you to do just that. View the video below to learn how to "push" websites to students in an instant, as well as how to post announcements, assignments, and questions. Further, the Share to Classroom extension allows students to share links directly to the teacher.

Superintendent's Conference Day: November 7, 2017

As many of you are aware, I was a part of the WGHS faculty prior to my career in administration, teaching 9th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade social studies. After eight years as the Model Schools Coordinator at the CNYRIC, I had the opportunity to work with 50 school districts across Central New York, learning what works and what doesn't in terms of instructional technology integration. Now that I am back at WG, I have been thrilled to support the district's instructional technology initiatives. Further, it has been a pleasure getting re-acquainted with the High School faculty and learning more about the day-to-day operation of the Middle Schools and Elementary Schools.

There is a genuine interest among all of the faculty I have encountered to do what is best for our students. It is no easy task to manage your classrooms, assess your students' work, collaborate with your colleagues, communicate with families, and learn new skills. Nonetheless, many of you have stepped up to share your expertise on our November 7th Superintendent's Conference Day. Whether it is leading a session on instructional technology at the secondary level, developing new curriculum at the middle level, or leading grade-level discussions about standards-based grading and reporting at the elementary level, I am grateful to our teacher-leaders and administrators for lending their expertise to make the day meaningful. Please review the day's agenda--you may want to print this document.

• Secondary Teachers and non-SPED TAs: Teachers Teach Teachers
• I recommend you print this document to review workshop titles, descriptions, and locations
• Please register on MLP. You are not required to pre-register for a specific session. You are welcome to attend whatever piques your interest. 
• Middle School ELA & SPED-ELA Teachers and Librarians: Curriculum Development
• Please register on MLP
• 6th-grade Teachers: meet in your respective buildings
• 7th-grade Teachers: meet at WGMS
• 8th-grade Teaches: meet at CMS
• Elementary Teachers, IS, non-SPED TAs, & SPED Teachers: Standards-Based Grading and Reporting (teachers); Collective Responsibility (IS); Progress Monitoring (SPED)
• I recommend you print this document to review locations of grade-level meetings.
• Please register on MLP.
• 5-Hour Literacy TAs: Using and Troubleshooting Classroom Technology
• Please register on MLP. 
• Elementary SPED TAs: CPR/First Aid Training
• Please register on MLP.
• Secondary SPED TAs: Test Accommodation Training 
• Please register on MLP.
• Elementary Librarians: Curriculum Development
• Please register on MLP.
• Nurses: Barrier Precaution & Infection Control Training
• No registration required. You will meet at the District Office from 12:30 - 2:30.