Albemarle County contracted with Kronos, Inc., to implement a Time & Attendance System beginning in 2017-18. This online system will replace our current manual and paper-based timekeeping, attendance, and leave-tracking processes and will integrate with our payroll system. Continue reading
#GlobalMakerDay Coming October 24
The next #GlobalMakerDay is coming up on October 24, 2017. Register now »
#GlobalMakerDay is an opportunity to Learn, Share and Play. Educators: Connect virtually and watch makers discuss various projects, learning spaces, creations, coding, 3D designs, art lessons, and more in a live Google Hangout (in YouTube Live). Each half hour will yield another session with a connected challenge. Your class will have the opportunity to solve problems, be creative, and PLAY. Learn more »
Belk Educator Appreciation Day: Save 20% on August 31
Thursday, August 31, is Educator Appreciation Day at Belk! For one day only, Belk at Fashion Square Mall in Charlottesville is offering storewide savings to Albemarle County teachers, administrators, and school employees who present a valid school ID. Get your coupon »
Virginia Board of Education Seeks Public Comment on the DRAFT Educational Technology Plan for Virginia 2017-2022
The Educational Technology Plan for Virginia 2017-2022 has been developed over the past six months with input from stakeholders, school divisions, and the general public. The DRAFT of this plan is available online for public comment.
The plan is a living Web document and is a series of interconnected web pages with links to Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) resources and other useful resources, which can be used by school divisions when developing their own technology plans. Continue reading
Global Read Aloud 2017 Kicks Off October 2
Global Read Aloud 2017 kicks off October 2, 2017! Since its launch in 2010, more than 2,000,000 kids from more than 60 countries have participated in this free event!
What is the Global Read Aloud (GRA)? The premise is simple: Educators choose one of the selected books to read aloud to their students between October 2 and November 10, and during that time, they connect with one or more classrooms around the globe. Continue reading
VSBA Announces 5th Annual Student Video Contest – Deadline: Oct. 4
The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) invites Virginia high school students to participate in their 5th annual Student Video Contest. This year’s contest theme is “Choice,” and students are asked to submit a 30-second video about all the choices students have when it comes to a public education in Virginia. Submissions will be judged on how well they address the topic as well as the quality of the production and the creativity of the video. The submission deadline is October 4, 2017. For more details, visit the VSBA’s Annual Convention web page and scroll down to “Student Video Contest.”
Note: Each participating student must complete a release form.
Call for Proposals – VSTE 2017 Annual Conference
VSTE’s 2017 Annual Conference, SuperEmpowering Kids & Learning, will be held December 3-5, 2017, at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. The Call for Proposals is open now through September 15.
Are you a classroom teacher who is using instructional technology in an interesting and engaging way? Are you transforming how technology is used in education? Are your students creating and sharing their learning in ways that other students and teachers would want to hear about? The 2017 VSTE Presentations Committee is seeking proposals from educators of all levels and backgrounds. Learn more »
How to Request Blackboard Classes for 2017-18
ACPS Educators: The integration between Blackboard and PowerSchool is now running and you can begin requesting Blackboard classes. Use the Blackboard Class Request Form as a reference for submitting your class creation requests to your school’s student information system (PowerSchool) contact. Your request will impact how your classes are created in Blackboard, and the form will help you pick the option that will best meet your needs.
In a Community’s Most Difficult Moments: A Guide for Educators
The impact from the events of this past weekend will continue to be felt well into the future. Many of the comments in the media this week referred to these events as being a teachable moment. I know all of you are thinking deeply about how you will engage students around this topic when they return to the classroom next Wednesday. Continue reading
Optima EAP: Two Sessions Tomorrow & Other Resources
Often in the immediacy of traumatic events like we experienced over the weekend here in Charlottesville, many of us are struggling to regain a sense of normalcy. It’s not uncommon that the full impact of the event may strike us days or even weeks later. As we heal as a community, it’s important that we pay attention to the signs of stress in order to aid the recovery process.
We are offering two sessions of “Acknowledging Traumatic Events” on Friday, August 18, for employees. Continue reading