Media/Tech Updates - Week of April 26

Media Center, Makerspace, Ms. Chen's office

If you use or need to use one of these spaces on a regular basis, please let Andrea know the days/times ASAP. As more people use the media center, the calendar needs to be updated to avoid conflicts. 

• Media Center Calendar (includes Ms. Chen's room)
• Makerspace Calendar

Do you or a student need a Chromebook for the day?

Chromebooks are stored in a cart in the media office. Check out is "self serve" for staff members. Students will need to have a staff member pick up device. 

• Devices on top shelf are charged.
• Sign device out on sign up sheet (on clipboard on top of cart). 
• Take device only. We can no longer loan out chargers.
• Return device by end of day to table inside media center doors. (We will sanitize and check it in.)

Chargers

Unfortunately, we do not have any extra chargers. The few chargers we have need to stay in the media office. 

If a student cannot find his/her charger, a heat ticket can be submitted to request a new charger.  It may take a few days/weeks for the county to deliver *if* there are chargers available. 

If a student device needs to be charged, he/she can bring it to the media center to charge on the cart. Be sure device is labeled. 

Digital Resources for next year

Leadership will soon be discussing digital resources for next year. Please be thinking about what you have used and found beneficial. If there is a (WCPSS approved) resource that you are interested in us purchasing, be prepared to share how it would support teaching and learning at Underwood (ie. tell why we should purchase it.) Be on the lookout for a survey.

End of Year

It's that time of year when we need to start inventorying and collecting books and devices. A couple points to know...

• All books will be due on May 28. 
• Student Chromebooks that stay at school (labeled with blue tape) - turn in at the end of the year.
• Student Chromebooks that go home - stay with the student to be used next year. 
• Staff laptops - stay with staff member unless leaving WCPSS.
• Doc cameras - stay in classroom.
• Carts - stay in classroom.
• Miscellaneous Chromebooks and chargers - turn into Media Center.
• Chromebooks used by staff - turn into Media Center. 

More detailed information will be coming out soon.

Media/Tech Updates

 IMPORTANT REMINDER! 

ALL resources that a student uses at school (or for school) MUST be Approved or Allowed on the Digital Resource Product Library. 

Personal emails for students ARE NOT APPROVED and are a safety risk. Please remind your students of this. All students have a WCPSS issued email for school use. If you're interested, I'm happy to do an email best practices review with your students. Contact me to schedule a time.  

Connectivity Issue

We are aware that students with personal devices are having difficulty with connection at school. Tech services advises having the student use "Guest" mode on Chrome. Unfortunately, finding Guest mode is different for each device. Until we get more info from WCPSS, please help your students try to use Guest mode. If you need help problem solving email me and I'll make a time to come to your room. 

**If you figure this out and would be willing to share your solution, please email me (I'm at a loss with this also.)  Together we're better!

Bedtime Stories

Sign up HERE

Media/Tech Updates - Week of March 8

Mr. Dunston's Domain

Check it out if you have not already! https://bit.ly/3eh88K6

Underwood Bedtime Stories

Bedtime stories have been successful during Read Across Underwood week! Thank you to Elizabeth, Rick, Lauren, and Travis for reading.

We are going to try out continuing Bedtime Stories on Tuesday and Thursdays at 7:30pm for the next couple weeks. The reading sessions are no more than 15 minutes and feature 1 or 2 books of your choice. If you would like to read, sign up here - https://bit.ly/ugtmbedtimestory

Please continue to share this information with your students. 

UPDATED Circulation Policies

We are SUPER EXCITED to announce that library books can now be picked up curbside/dropped off in class on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Please continue to encourage your students to check out books and eBooks.  For more information on updated guidelines - https://bit.ly/30c9qhl

Chromebook Charging Cords

If you have extra cords in your room, please send them to the Media Center. We're down to only 1 charging cord per Chromebook model. 

If a student device needs to be charged, use another student's charger (after sanitizing). If you do not have one that works in your room, bring the device to the media office to be charged. 

Dunston's Domain - Episode 2

 Hey hey! Hope everyone has had a great week. Back with episode 2. Everyone knows I'm all about being productive so I think this new Google Chrome feature really helps me to do that.

The video is for anyone who has a million tabs open or find it difficult to quickly find the page you are looking for in the moment. 

As always if you have questions about the feature, anything else, or possible topics for future videos. Please send me an email or comment below and I'll do what I can to help you out. Also if you have a cool feature or tip that you use that saves time please pass it along or reach out. TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE MORE! 

Media/Tech Updates - Week of 3/1

 #ReadAcrossUnderwood

#ReadAcrossUnderwood is March 1 - 5!  Here are some easy ways to celebrate reading  - http://bit.ly/readacrossunderwood  This would be a great week to schedule Andrea or Elizabeth for a class read-a-loud or an introduction to checking out library books or eBooks. 

Specialists will be doing live Bedtime Stories March 1 - 4 at 7:00pm. Please share this information with your students and families - http://bit.ly/ugtmbedtimestory

Reminders

• If a student comes to school without a device (they've left their's at home), please email Andrea ASAP in the morning. Devices will be distributed between 10:30 - 11:30am.  **Device can possibly be distributed in time for 3-5 elective if we know early enough. 
• If you take a book from the library, it must be checked out. You can text Andrea or Elizabeth the WCPSS barcode if we're not available to check out.  We're finding that there are MANY books missing from the shelves, and they happen to be ones used in our curriculum. Thanks for your help.

FEEDBACK NEEDED: Destiny Collections

Have you checked out our Destiny Collections? These are customized resource collections available to staff and students. To access, go to Follett/Destiny (Rapid Identity), then scroll down on the Destiny Discover page to Collections. 

Unfortunately, we are not able to track usage of Destiny Collections. Please take 30 seconds to fill out this survey - Destiny Collection Feedback

Media Center Calendar

If you'd like to add the Media Center calendar to your Google Calendar, here is the link - Media Center Calendar

Smart TV's

We have 2 large brand-new Smart TV's, similar to the one we use in the media center, that can be used in classrooms (in place of Smartboards.) Ms. Weed and Ms. Koh are using one in their rooms if you have any questions about pros/cons. If you would like to try one of these TV's, let Andrea know. 

Media/Tech Updates - Week of February 22

Media Center 

The media center space is beginning to be used more as we're back in the building. This is wonderful as we've missed the hustle and bustle of the space! 

If you need the space for teaching, a meeting, testing, etc., please email me so I can put you on the calendar. In the past we've able to "make" space as needed, but now we'll need to closely monitor who is using the space to keep it safe. Thanks for your help!

Media Center Calendar

If you'd like to add the Media Center calendar to your Google Calendar, here is the link - Media Center Calendar

Presenting...Dunston's Domain! 

Tech savvy Mr. Dunston is sharing his knowledge with staff in Dunston's Domain! His tips are ALWAYS a BIG HIT (and super helpful)! Go here to check out the first issue of Dunston's Domain - Dunston's Domain Issue #1.

Smart TV's

We have 3 large brand-new Smart TV's, similar to the one we use in the media center, that can be used in classrooms (in place of Smartboards.) Ms. Weed is using one in her room if you have any questions about pros/cons. If you would like to try one of these TV's, let Andrea know. They will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Freebies for your Classroom Library

Everybody books, chapter books, and more! These will be out in the library until Thursday, 2/25. 

#ReadAcrossUnderwood

Let's celebrate Read Across America (formerly Dr. Suess Day) the week of March 1 - 5! The purpose is “....to help motivate kids to read, bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, and make all children feel valued and welcome.”   (National Education Association)   

Check out these ideas for participating at Underwood - #readacrossunderwood  Feel free to add your ideas to this collaborative document!

Specialists will be doing #readacrossunderwood Bedtime Stories this week!  Please share this doc with your families - #readacrossunderwood Family Information

Dunston's Domain - Issue #1

 Hey hey! Hope everyone has had a great week. So I've been asked (challenged) to create short videos with tips about whatever your tech needs may be. So here is my first attempt at that so everyone be gentle in the comments with you feedback 😂😂! 

The video is on how I use the Q&A feature in Google Meet. If you find yourself constantly posting the link in the chat bar for kids to join throughout the meet this video will show you how I no longer have that issue. 

If you have questions about the feature, anything else, or possible topics for future videos. Please send me an email or comment below and I'll do what I can to help you out. Also if you have a cool feature that you use that saves time please pass it along or reach out. TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE MORE!