Thursday, December 19, 2019

Fwd: Check out the latest Google for Education newsletter

----- Forwarded message ---------
From: Google for Education


News, research, and resources for the Google for Education community.
News, research, and resources for the Google Cloud community.
Google for Education
The Google for Education NEWSLETTER ISSUE XXV | November/December 2019
Three Things to Know
Chrome Browser Cloud Management
Chrome Browser Cloud Management (CBCM) allows administrators to manage policies and extensions for Chrome Browser on all desktop operating systems from one console. Launched in April of this year, there are already over 630,000 users leveraging CBCM.
Reuse Rubrics in Google Classroom
Users who have joined the Rubrics beta program can now reuse rubrics in Google Classroom and Google Assignments. When creating an assignment, you can choose to reuse a rubric from your current class or another class you teach.
Getting Started with Google for Education
New, basic G Suite for Education trainings are hot off the press. Register to receive bite-sized, interactive video tutorials emailed to you weekly. Each lesson takes less than 15 minutes to complete and provides you with the skills to get started using G Suite in your classroom. Sign up today!
Educator Resources
Code your own Superhero with CS First
This year, the CS First team created a new activity where students use their imagination to turn a real life hero into a superhero using code. Using the CS First tutorial videos available in both English and Spanish, anyone can become storytellers and programmers for the day.
Master G Suite Apps with Applied Digital Skills
Do you want to help your students build stronger resumes? Have them practice for the G Suite certification exam with these ready-to-use lessons from Applied Digital Skills. These lessons can help your students sharpen their digital collaboration skills using G Suite tools such as Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Drive.
Join the Applied Digital Skills Reference Team
We're always looking for ways to improve our offerings. Join our Reference Team and we'll reach out periodically for your opinion and help. Complete this quick survey to indicate how you'd like to participate - you can provide feedback, request a visit from a Googler, share testimonials, or do all three!
Author books with Book Creator + Chromebooks
Encourage your students to author and create a book with the theme of 'A Better Future' using Book Creator, and your school could win five Chrome tablets from Acer, plus other fun prizes. Join the competition before the January 10th deadline.
Nearpod launches Add-on for Google Slides
Nearpod's Add-on for Google Slides enables teachers to create lessons directly in Slides and present with the engagement functionality of Nearpod. By working with a familiar Google tool + Nearpod, teachers gain time back in their day and improve their productivity.
Make more engaging Slides with Slido
Slido allows you to easily launch polls to check students' understanding, collect instant feedback, and run live Q&A, right from within your Google Slides presentation. Install Slido for Google Slides - try it out for free.
Product News
Google Assignments Now Available
Using another LMS but want to grade with Google? Try out the now live Assignments beta today. Assess originality, save frequently used feedback, and more. Check out our tutorial videos to learn our tips and tricks.
Virtual Desks on Chromebooks
You can now create and organize multiple workspaces within your device with Virtual Desks. Students can create a different desk for each class, or educators can dedicate a desk to multiple projects or tasks.
Customize Closed Captions in Google Slides
Using captions is a quick way to include and reach all learners- whether you have students who are deaf or hard of hearing, or if you're presenting in a noisy environment. Now you can customize closed captions when presenting in Google Slides by changing the placement or the font size.
Use Google Classroom to Support All Learners
Assistive technology helps students like Grace, a fifth-grader who is blind, learn alongside her peers. Using tools like Google Classroom, her teacher created a learning environment where all students are included and can thrive together.
Tell your story in Google Earth
New creation tools in Google Earth allow you to easily create and share maps and stories about our world with friends, students or coworkers that they can view anywhere on their phone, tablet or laptop. Better yet, you can invite others to collaborate and co-author custom projects with you.
Extra Credit
Google Sheets course on Coursera
We've launched a new course titled Getting Started with Google Sheets. The 4-5 hour course will be hosted on Coursera and is a great opportunity for faculty and staff to become experts in Sheets, covering everything from formatting to data analysis.
Dynamic Learning Project Offers Mentorship
The Dynamic Learning Project (DLP) is in its 3rd year and the data consistently shows that participants of the DLP find that the mentorship they receive is one of the most impactful components of the program. When asked "To what extent is the mentor essential for implementing an effective coaching programs?", year 3 coaches and principals rated mentorship at 96% and 86%, respectively.
Rivet is now available through your Clever dashboard
Calling all Clever users - you can now access Rivet's free reading app through your Clever dashboard! Rivet is a free app with over 3,000 leveled books that helps students practice with confidence by offering: Real-time pronunciation feedback, definition support on tricky words, and reading time tracking to meet daily reading goals.
 
Missed an issue of the Google for Education newsletter? Check out past issues here.
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Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Fwd: Save The Date for 2020 Clinics & Programs

-- Forwarded message ---------
From: Tony Azevedo

Save the Date for our 2020 Programs.

We already have a pretty full calendar for the first half of 2020! Check out our recently updated Clinics page to stay on top of everything we have to offer. 

We always send out notices to this mailing list first when any major registration opens, and we encourage you to register quickly as our programs have been selling out. 

A few highlights for 2020 include:

  • 2020 Aquatic Games, June 26 - 28
  • UCLA Summer Academy, June 29 - July 3
  • Tony Summer Training Program, 3 week-long sessions in July
  • 6-8 Tropic Games (Puerto Rico), November 20- 23
Check out Upcoming Programs

The Aquatic Games.

We're changing it up in 2020! This year the Games will take place at Marine Stadium, a beautiful open water bay in Long Beach.

The Games will highlight sports to take place at the 2028 Olympics. Athletes will participate in water polo, beach handball, open water swimming and triathlon in a fun & inspirational atmosphere. The program will involve the city's numerous Olympians and World Champions to lead each sport as well as focus on seminars and special appearances.

This event is the perfect opportunity for fun and challenging water polo training, coaching from some of the best in the world, and the ability to participate in and learn about other sports as LA prepares to host the Olympics. 

Tony Azevedo Summer Training Camp.

This is another program we designed at the request of YOU, our loyal followers. Athletes were looking for the opportunity for small group, high level training that can help them prepare for JOs. 

Tony's Summer Training Camp will feature 3 sessions, each limited to 20 athletes. The clinic will entail 2.5 hour morning sessions with Tony and guest star coaches, leaving the evenings open for athletes to train with their own teams:

  • Session I: July 6-10, 2020, 9-11:30am
  • Session II: July 13-17, 2020, 9-11:30am
  • Session III: July 20-24, 2020, 9-11:30am

The 6-8 Tropic Games.

This is definitely a program you don't want to miss in 2020! The brainchild of Tony and his 6-8 Sports partner (and current Captain of the Women's Olympic Team) Maggie Steffens, the Tropic Games will be an incredible pre-Thanksgiving event that is part Olympic-style training clinic and part tournament. 

The program will include gym sessions, video breakdown and seminars. It will end with a 4 on 4 open water tournament where Tony and Maggie observe and give feedback to each athlete. 

It will take place in Maggie's beautiful hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Parents will also have the option to join, participate and enjoy a fun vacation in the tropics!

Happy to help.

As always, we're here to help. Reply directly to this message or send an email to sara@azevedowaterpolo.com

Facebook
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Link
Website
Copyright © 2019 Azevedo Water Polo Inc., All rights reserved.
You have opted to receive the latest updates and information on all clinics and other Azevedo events.

Our mailing address is:
Azevedo Water Polo Inc.
--

--
Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com 
Executive Director of SKWIM USA, a 501(c)(3)
The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard
Coach at The Ellis School for Swimming, T&F and Triathlon
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team & Renegades (Masters) 

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Fwd: Obama Academy Information

This newsletter has an interesting mention about the swim team schedule. I blog about it at the Dystopia blog. See: https://dystopia.4rs.org/two-major-policies-changed-for-this-years-2019-20-obama-varsity-swimmers/


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Barack Obama Academy of International Studies



Nothing in life is so complicated that it cannot be achieved by discipline and hard work.
OBAMA ACADEMY INFORMATION
December 2, 2019
Seniors
See the bottom of this email for important information.
8th Grade Families!!!!!
Friday Dec 6 is the deadline to submit your magnet application to be able to return to Obama for 9th grade.
PTSA EVENTS

Zumba Classes
December 10, Tuesday, 4pm: BHS presents Zumba in the Obama cafeteria

December 17, Tuesday, 3pm: BHS presents Zumba in the Obama cafeteria


PTSA Meeting
December 10, Tuesday, 6:30pm: Obama PTSA meeting in the Obama library. Featuring Dr. Dwyer, Chief of Data for PPS.


PTSA PARTY
December 17, Tuesday, 5-7pm: Obama PTSA invites you to join us for an Ugly Sweater Happy Hour at Primanti's! 

5491 Penn Ave. (Garfield) Pittsburgh, PA 15206
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Ugliest Sweater Prize, Appetizers and Giveaways! Hope you will join us! Adults Only

High School Swim Team Schedule
M: 6-7:20; 3:30-5:00 (morning and afternoon)
T: 3:30 - 5:00 (afternoon only)
W: 6:00-7:20 (morning only)
R: 3:30 - 5:00 (afternoon only)
F: 6:00-7:20 (morning only)

GRADUATION INFORMATION
Graduation Practice
Friday, June 12 /11:30-1:00
@ Peterson Event Center

Graduation
Sunday, June 14 / 3:00-4:00 p.m.
@ Peterson Event Center

Barack Obama Academy of International Studies
Phone 412-529-5980
Fax 412-622-5983
Barack Obama Academy of International Studies | 515 N Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Friday, November 22, 2019

Fwd: PPS response to Auditor General DePasquale's review of district provided records

----- Forwarded message -----
From: Superintendent Hamlet 


Much has been reported in the media lately following Auditor General DePasquale's press release regarding his review of district-provided records.  As a valued partner of public education, I want to ensure you have access to my statement in its entirety.  Also, Board President Lynda Wrenn provided a response, which is below. 

 

I do believe that the best way for me to address these criticisms is by proving myself through my ongoing commitment to transforming the Pittsburgh Public Schools. And while nobody enjoys criticism, I do recognize that it is part of the territory when you have a job as important as overseeing the education of more than 23,000 children.

 

I also believe that information is power, because it allows us to base our decisions not on what we have always done in the past, but rather on what are proven best practices that will lead to the best possible outcomes for our children. That's why one of my first acts as superintendent was ordering the most objective look at the past and current practices at Pittsburgh Public Schools.

 

One result of that audit was a clear indication that we needed to upgrade our professional development significantly. Simply put, we need more people in our District to be better acquainted with cutting-edge theory and practice in public school education. We, therefore, expanded our professional development budget to allow for this type of development across a wider array of staff and administrators.

 

While we always seek opportunities to supplement professional development related travel utilizing grant funds whenever possible, our current spending amounts to .06% of the overall District General Fund expenditures. Furthermore, it is in line with what many comparable districts around the country are spending. The auditor's comparison to Philadelphia is clearly an attempt to make statistics work against the District. Philadelphia is a school district that was under state oversight for 16 years during which time all investments were minimal. Even so, a District survey in 2018, found overall travel expenses in Philadelphia totaled $924,000 compared to the $362,705 expended in PPS for travel-related professional development.  

 

I recognize that any new spending is cause for concern in a District that is funded by taxpayer dollars. I also know that an investment in our staff development will pay dividends for years to come in improving the quality of public-school education in Pittsburgh. We cannot continue to follow the same practices that have led to stagnation or deficits in student achievement — sometimes, to achieve different results, change is necessary.

 

Regarding contracts:

It's worth noting that our procurement process for contract approval aligns with the Pennsylvania state code and federal grants guidance. Whether a contract is procured through a competitive or non-competitive process, we still use factors to evaluate the effectiveness of a service before presenting it to the Board for approval. Technology is one of the great equalizers in education. It allows us to more objectively assess how well we are reaching students and more closely identify areas to target for further improvement. For example, the Edmentum program for intervention uses data to help teachers and administrators make better instructional decisions and create a better curriculum based on objective evidence. The Naviance program, widely used in large public-school systems across the country, assists students with college and career.

 

I believe that it is my job to serve as a role model for the children in our District, just as all educators should view themselves as role models. And what I would like to show them is that even when you face challenges such as public criticism, you cannot allow that to get in the way of doing your job to the best of your abilities. You must be willing to look at yourself with an objective eye and ask: How can I do better? And then do that. Our continuous improvement model includes regular check-ins to ensure the practices we are putting in place are getting the results we seek for our children. We take the information we receive in all audits seriously. We will review the details of the auditor's findings to use them to get better.

 

 

Statement from School Board President Lynda Wrenn in Response to the Auditor General's Press Release Related to District Travel

Let me be clear:  the board has addressed the superintendent directly  - and in a cooperative manner - as it relates to the district's travel policy. First, the board's charter states that we are only to be overseeing the superintendent's travel, not that of his administrators. Travel numbers pointed out by the auditor general include that of all administrators and staff. 

Even so, the board, along with the solicitor and human resources manager, went over district travel policy with the superintendent and executive cabinet. Moving forward, the superintendent has directed new administration policies to be in place that ensure there's clear employee onboarding of the district's travel policy. 

As a board, the outcome we want for our students is to ensure that they have the best possible education. In order to get to that outcome, we recognize the importance of professional development. We do not want our administrators to be isolated -- we want them to be aware of and engaged in best practices. The board has worked to resolve any ambiguity related to travel and will continue the most important work that we are elected to do: advocate for better education opportunities for Pittsburgh Public School students.

 

 

 

Dr. Hamlet

 

Superintendent

Pittsburgh Public Schools

341 South Bellefield Avenue. Pittsburgh, Pa 15213

412-529-3600(W) │ 412-622-3604 (F) │  superintendentsoffice@pghschools.org

Parent Hotline: 412-529-HELP │  zz-parenthotline@pghschools.org