Categories for 2nd Semester Secondary Gradebooks

Attention all secondary teachers! Remember to set up your categories and percentages for each of your 2nd Semester gradebooks! Even though your 1st Semester gradebooks are set, you will need to make sure that 2nd semester gradebooks are ready to go as well. Once the first progress report period of the 2nd semester ends, you will no longer be able to change your categories and percentages. If categories and percentages are not set, your students' progress report, report card and Family Access grades will show as a zero.

If you need help setting up your categories follow the steps below.

1. Open one of your 2nd semester gradebooks and click the Categories tab.

2. On the next screen, click the Add/Edit Categories button.

3. Click the Unselect All button to remove the checks from all the categories.

4. Place a check next to each category that will be used in your gradebook.

5. Enter the percent (weight) for each category that will be used in your gradebook. Be sure that the
    total percent adds up to exactly 100.

6. Click Save.

7. Do this for each one of your gradebooks! Do this before the end of the first progress report period
    of the 2nd semester. Once the first progress report period ends you will no longer be able to set up
    your categories and percentages.

Adding Email to Your Android Phone

The following will demonstrate how to set up your SBISD Email on your Android Phone. This way you don't have to be at a computer to check your email. You can check it from wherever you happen to be standing!

Please note that these steps may vary from what you actually see on your phone screen. Android Phones may differ slightly from one to another.

1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap Accounts & Sync.
3. Tap Add Account.
4. Different phones have different wording but you should see a button titled Corporate, Corporate Sync, Exchange, Exchange Active Sync, or Microsoft Exchange. Tap this button.
5. In the Email Address field, type your full SBISD Email Address. ex: john.doe@springbranchisd.com
6. In the Password field, type your SBISD email password.
7. Tap Next.
8. In the Domain\Username field, type "sbm1\" followed by your SBISD username. ex: sbm1\doej
9. In the Server field, type "owa.springbranchisd.com"
10. Select the box to Use secure connection (SSL).
11. Select the box Accept all SSL certificates.
12. Tap Next.
13. On the Account Options screen, choose how often you would like your phone to sync your email
14. Tap Next.
15. Tap Done.
16. Your SBISD email is now synced to your Android Phone.

EdTech Headlines and Happenings

EdCampSpringBranch - Winter Edition 2016

Educational Technology will host our 2nd EdCampSpringBranch! Typically referred to as an "unconference," we'll meet up in the morning to set the schedule and then engage in authentic conversations and training as determined by the attendees. Mark your calendars and register in Eduphoria to attend EdCampSpringBranch - Winter Edition 2016 on Saturday, January 23rd from 8:30 - 12:00 at Spring Forest Middle School.

The mission of EdCampSpringBranch is to break free from the idea that technology is a skill set that needs to be learned in isolation from other subject matter and teaching elements. Professional development that is centered on a technology tool or idea feels lop-sided and leaves the learner wondering what to do next. Today, technology is an integral part of the pedagogy of teaching and professional development should seek to strengthen educator understanding of how technology empowers learners.

We’ll begin the morning setting the agenda. Bring your burning topics that you want to discuss and/or tools you want to learn to better incorporate into your classroom for your learners. We’ll have 3 sessions, end the morning with door prizes and hopes that you’ll continue the conversation with fellow attendees over an impromptu lunch at a local establishment.

Feel free to invite other educators in the area. They will register on EventBrite.

Questions? Email or call Karen (2405) or Amy (2294) in EdTech or Krystal Weiss (6332) at MDE.

BrainPOP ESL

Campus eTrainers and the Bilingual/ESL department are spotlighting the BrainPOP ESL lessons and online activities for our ELL students. BrainPOP ESL provides students opportunities to interact in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing using interactive modules, games and videos.

Here’s a Top 10 Slide Presentation about BrainPOP ESL!

Watch an introductory video here. Contact your campus eTrainer for additional information and training.

https://esl.brainpop.com/

Get the district username and password here!

Follow BrainPOP ESL on Twitter! https://twitter.com/brainpopesl

itslearning Update

Spring Branch ISD has purchased itslearning as the content and learning management system for the district. With itslearning, teachers can create activities and assignments that cater to a variety of individual learning styles including educational videos, interactive learning games and applications that enable students to make videos, animations, web pages, podcasts, music and more.

The platform allows teachers to tailor learning objectives, content, method, pace and environment to each student’s unique learning needs. All this helps drive student engagement and ownership, and ultimately, performance. Recently, core directors and curriculum writers were introduced to the platform and are in the process of designing templates tailored to our curricular needs. Stay tuned and watch for further news on how this tool will help to transform learning opportunities in Spring Branch!

PK-2 Classroom Technology Refresh Project

All PK-1st grade classrooms are receiving 8 iPad minis and 2nd grade classrooms are receiving 12 Chromebooks!

• We have completed our first round of campuses (BBS, LLS, PPS, TTS, WWS, HBE, RCE, SOE, WWE, SWE, TWE).
• We will complete our second round by Winter Break (BHE, EWE, HES, MWE, PSE, SBE, SSE, TCE, WCE).
• We will complete our third round by March 2016 (BCE, CBE, FWE, HCE, MDE, NHE, TFE, VOE, WVE).

Educational Technology has created two residencies to support PK-2nd grade teachers (who have received their new devices) with new strategies to develop literacies using digital tools. Each residency meets 3 times - 2 half-days and 1 after school meeting.

Residencies for campuses in the second round of deployment are as follows:

• Developing Literacies in Digital Environments in the PK-1 Classroom
  Participants will explore ways Symbaloo, QR codes, Book Creator and Explain Everything can be used to enhance their instruction and enable students to present and share ideas. Participants will create lessons that include the use of these tools and share student outcomes.
  
  
  Day 1 – January 14, Day 2 – February 4, Day 3 – March 3
  

  AM Link - http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=14290

  PM Link - http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=14293
• Developing Literacies in Digital Environments for 2nd Grade Success
  This residency will focus on how teachers and students can use Google Tools to create and collaborate in core content areas. Participants will explore ways to enhance their instruction and enable students to present and share their thinking. Participants will create lessons and share student outcomes.
  
  
  Day 1 – January 19, Day 2 – February 9, Day 3 – March 3
  

  AM Link - http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=14283

  PM Link - http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=14286

Apple Professional Development for PK-1 Teachers

We are also bringing in Kevin Sheppard, Apple Professional Developer, to work with principal-appointed groups of PK-1 teachers. This session will engage participants with two apple PD’S: Engaging Early Learners (iOS) and Cross-Curricular Connections for Elementary Learners (iOS). Those teachers will take what they learned from this session and collaborate with the other PK-1 teachers on their respective campuses.

Adding SBISD Email To Your Smart Phone

We know that many of you will be receiving new Smart Phones for the holidays! Of course you will want to set it up with your SBISD Email. Or perhaps you received yours early and are eager to set up email but aren't sure how. The following will show you how to do just that!

iPhones >>    Android Phones >>

Holiday Procedures for Technology Items

As we approach the end of the semester, it is important to keep in mind the procedures for dealing with technology items before leaving for the holidays.

1.      COWs and Carts

         a.      Make sure that all of the devices in your Carts and COWs are plugged into electrical power.

         b.      Make sure that the COWs and/or Carts themselves are plugged into electrical power.

2.      Printers

         a.      Make sure that they STAY PLUGGED IN.

         b.      Turn the printer OFF.

         c.      Leave the Surge Protector ON.

3.      ActivBoards

         a.      Use your remote to turn the projector OFF. Letting the projector turn itself off actually                          leaves it on and uses “Bulb Life."

         b.      Do not disconnect any of the wires.

4.      Desktop Computers

         a.      Turn them OFF.

         b.      Leave them plugged in.

         c.      Turn the monitor OFF.

         d.      Leave the Surge Protector ON.

5.      Laptops/Netbooks/iPads/iTouchs without Carts/COWs

         a.      Turn them OFF.

         b.      If at all possible put them in a Cart where they can be plugged in.

         c.      Otherwise, put them in a secure location.

         d.      Feel free to take your teacher laptop home. Please remember to keep it secure.

6.      MacBooks

         a.      Please make sure that all MacBooks are charged. If they run completely out of “juice,” they                    HAVE to be re-imaged.