Department+Reviews+2013

RSVP Form List of Participants School Stakeholder Survey = Day 1 - Core Services = Media - Staff Development - Technology

Follow-up || ** Location & Transition ** **Availability of Outside Resources**
 * Instructional Materials **
 * Date || Tue Jan 22 4pm ||
 * Department Reviewers || Polycom Connection to ACS, CKUS, KPCS, RCPS, VCS ||
 * Department Representatives || Becky LeZotte ||
 * Department Description || The Media Department works collaboratively with other agency departments and member school districts to provide support services and resources that enhance both teaching and learning. ||
 * Department Goals || * Increase awareness and usage of Media services, specifically Learn360, Visual Thesaurus, WorldBook Online, and Marshall Cavendish E-books ||
 * School Stakeholder Survey
 * "Not sure what they are now that Germaine is retired...??? Are videos at ESU in Ainsworth? "
 * Not sure if the media transition went as smoothly as expected. I don't feel we are very well informed about new and updated services.
 * Does not work well since everything was moved from Valentine and there is no longer a regular route.
 * I am not sure how we will transport Media from Valentine to Ainsworth.
 * Sure do miss the Media Center. Will use the internet or order my own stuff. I don't need you anymore
 * "Be a bit more open to the public about your intentions when making major changes."
 * I honestly haven't used the media services much with the ease of internet access. I probably should see what is available to check out for things that I would have to purchase. (If the search I do results in an item I'd have to purchase; I just search for something else that is free off the internet.)
 * The changes in Media services are a bit confusing.
 * Training**
 * It's been a long time since we had a training on this, and I see you're switching to Learn 360. Will we have an introduction to this?
 * Multiple Subjects**
 * I am a math teacher and have not used any media services through ESU.
 * There are ample media services available to teachers, however not all teachers have the adequate supplies needed to make all the media services work. Music and the arts do not get as much media services as the rest of the other subjects. ||
 * Department Commendations || * Learn360 is a great resource ||
 * Department Recommendations || * Visit schools to promote availability of Learn360
 * Teachers can have duplicate of videos to keep (VHS and DVD for duplication rights) ||
 * Additional Comments ||  ||
 * Staff Development **
 * Date || Tue Jan 22 4pm ||
 * Department Reviewers || Polycom Connection to ACS, CKUS, KPCS, RCPS, VCS ||
 * Department Representatives || Jeff McQuistan ||
 * Department Description || The Staff Development Department works collaboratively with other agency departments in the coordination and communication of adult learner opportunities. The Staff Development Department also assists constituent school districts with school improvement initiatives:
 * Continuous Improvement Planning
 * Data Collection & Management
 * Curriculum Revision
 * Professional Development and Graduate Credit Opportunities
 * Carl Perkins Grant Consortium ||
 * Department Goals || * Coordinate Principal-level meetings to promote awareness and networking ||
 * School Stakeholder Survey Follow-up || **Programming**
 * We need varied offerings not just technology.
 * Pretty heavy-loaded in technology. There are other needs, but maybe not the interest from others.
 * More classes offered for college credit
 * I would like to see more content specific workshops and classes for disciplines in the high school. It seems that it is mainly focused on Elementary topics. I understand that there are limited numbers of math/science/social studies teachers that would be attending grade/class specific trainings; but we count too. We are here, so it would be nice to include us even though we are low in numbers.
 * Communication **
 * Good, maybe more communication with principals so they are more likely to let us go.
 * More communication between esu and principals so that principals can pass information/training onto us, and they might let us be more involved
 * I am new to the district, so I am unaware of staff development as far as professional development is concerned.
 * Better communication! What happened to the regular newsletter?
 * Miscellaneous**
 * Please continue to bring in speakers and continue to provide very useful opportunities.
 * We would like to have them on site so we could utilize them more.
 * Possibly think about bringing your group to some scheduled school events to reach parents and community members in that way. I know that there has been difficulty in getting parents to come to sessions....so, maybe you need to come to them???? Just a thought!
 * If the state is considering replacing NeSa testing with the MAPS testing, please consider informing schools and faculties. ||
 * Department Commendations || * Good use of Distance Learning to cut down on travel. ||
 * Department Recommendations || * College courses in Reading, Technology, Human Relations.
 * Professional Development (workshops for teachers, administration,course offerings etc.) offered more in the summer rather than just the school year. ||
 * Additional Comments ||  ||
 * Technology (Infrastructure and Support, Training) **
 * Date || Tue Jan 22 4pm ||
 * Department Reviewers || Polycom Connection to ACS, CKUS, KPCS, RCPS, VCS ||
 * Department Representatives || Patty Finney, Ben Anthony, Mary Beel, Phil Brown ||
 * Department Description || The Technology Department works collaboratively with other agency departments in the coordination and communication of adult learner opportunities. The Technology Department assists constituent school districts with technology planning, purchasing and maintenance, technology training, distance learning opportunities, data collection and reporting, and networking infrastructure. ||
 * Department Goals || * Provide training on the integration of technology in all core curriculum areas.
 * Train and assist school districts on how they can utilize technology to collect and disseminate student performance data.
 * Assist districts with interventions and training plans based on student data. ||
 * School Stakeholder Survey Follow-up || ** Technology Infrastructure and Support **
 * It seems like there is quite a bit of time between a request for services and follow through.
 * I feel that there is a need for improvement in this area. There are times that it is difficult to get in contact with someone when an issue arises. I am also not in favor of moving the Internet provider to the one we have now.
 * Our internet service is terrible! I do not know where the glich is, but many times the internet will not work when a teacher sits down to enter grades. It drops the connection when you are in the middle of an e-mail and you have to re-do the whole e-mail. The resource teachers have trouble with loosing information on the SRS system when the are doing their paperwork, etc.
 * It seems like we have to wait for our technology services. I realize there is a distance factor, but I feel like we are at the bottom of the ladder when it comes to tech service.
 * Don't feel we get the support needed.
 * Our service person doesn't do much for us.
 * Also wish we had more tech support for repairs and issues within the school."
 * Technology services are great when we get them. We just need to have a full-time person.
 * More tech support staff. Network people are not available to be proactive. They are always trying to fix what is broken instead of doing preventative maintenance.
 * More technology people. If we have to have something worked on, sometimes it takes weeks before it gets fixed?
 * We could use one or two people to travel from the ESU troubleshooting / fixing / improving the technology that we have in each individual school. Then someone else could be dedicated to finding free apps or inexpensive sites to assist teachers in what they would actually use; this person would also be responsible in contacting individual teachers to ask if they need help finding a particular activity online or help them plan a project. I dislike being given technology or being expected to have my students use technology just for the sake of using the new gadget. I want it to mean something and be important for the particular concept I am trying to teach.

Infrastructure = Day 2 - Student Services = Special Education - Health Services
 * Technology Training **
 * Programming **
 * "Very good at introducing new technology. Wish we could get more ""hands-on"" experiences with staff available to help.
 * The last workshop I went to was a total waste of my day. I didn't feel it was advertised correctly and I was way beyond what the class was. Frustrating and it has made me shy away from future trainings. However, individually I think the tech staff is very knowledgeable and can help with nearly all tech issues on an individual basis.
 * I would appreciate trainings to use some of the new technology, i.e. smart boards, ipads, etc.; however, I have attended a few that are mainly come and "play around' to find something that would apply to your classes. I want info on something that works for me in my class. I don't want to waste my time searching if someone has already found something that is awesome and it works. This also goes for websites, activities, group projects, etc
 * Like to see more workshops on clickers, mobi's, iPads
 * iPad and whiteboard trainings are great...for those who have them. Can you please plan more technology trainings with those of us who are limited to student laptops in mind?
 * --if programs are a part of this I would like to see an upgrade in PowerSchool. This grading system is not user friendly and I think there are better options. One possibility would be RENWEB. This system is user friendly and would eliminate (I think) the necessity for Angel.
 * More technology classes after school hours or on weekends
 * Maybe there could be more sessions offered to the subject areas of the arts and music. Since there is no testing required in these areas, maybe offer more on implementing technology.
 * Location **
 * Better workshops, more on technology, bring some workshops to Valentine
 * Distance traveling for workshops. Couldn't workshops rotate once in awhile so we didn't always have to travel so far?
 * Miscellaneous **
 * You have a wonderful technology staff but I wish they could multiply themselves when we are having issues. I believe you have adequate staff but like all good things we want more!
 * This seems to be an area that I keep saying I need more help in but it often comes down to time!
 * This has been sufficient right now, but will it be if many schools go to one-to-one computers, ipads, etc.?
 * Would love to see more technology in the schools(ipads, smartboards, laptops, etc.), but staff would also need training. I wonder if there are any grants available for technology. ||
 * Department Commendations ||  ||
 * Department Recommendations || * school district doesn't have the equipment that the ESU is providing training on
 * help school district with a technology plan
 * focus on mobile learning - teachers need training before they give it to the kids
 * need help on determining PD regarding teacher technology needs
 * which way to spend money on tight budgets: tablet or laptop? tablet is not NeSA compatible
 * 1:1 initiative ||
 * Additional Comments ||  ||


 * H **** ealth Services **
 * Date || Wed Jan 23 4pm ||
 * Department Reviewers || Polycom Connection to ACS, CKUS, KPCS, RCPS, VCS ||
 * Department Representatives || Leanne Maxwell ||
 * Department Description || Nurses are available to provide direct student care for those students who present with health concerns and needs, therefore promoting wellness and physical stability. Healthy kids are better learners. Nurses provide continued health education to teachers so they can assist in caring for their students with acute and chronic situations, as well as identify and act upon emergent situations. ||
 * Department Goals || * Satisfactorily answer questions that school staff may have related to student healthcare
 * Satisfactorily train staff to act appropriately in a crisis situation
 * Satisfactorily meet state healthcare regulations
 * Provide appropriate and satisfactory responses to student healthcare needs and concerns ||
 * School Stakeholder Survey Follow-up || * We only see the health professionals once a year. It would be nice to utilize these individuals for other health issues as needed.
 * Would like to see more classroom visits and expand learning for children in health concerns. Life-long learning about health--from identifying poisonous plants and such to best ways to bandage a wound...etc.
 * I know they do health checks,but do they offer any other services to our school? ||
 * Department Commendations || * ||
 * Department Recommendations || * wellness program at school for staff
 * maintain current health services (staff member on site)
 * Jan promote wellness program at ACS ||
 * Additional Comments ||  ||
 * Special Education **
 * Date || Wed Jan 23 4pm ||
 * Department Reviewers || Polycom Connection to ACS, CKUS, KPCS, RCPS, VCS ||
 * Department Representatives || Dennis Radford, Lisa Schlueter, Peggy McDaniel, Scott Steinhauser ||
 * Department Description || The Special Education department is comprised of specialists in the areas of speech language pathology, resource education, school psychology and transition who are available to schools on a contract basis. To enhance learning, these providers deliver services to assist children with disabilities, parents, and educational staff members. ||
 * Department Goals || * Increase communication among all members of the IEP team
 * Use data to make programming decisions
 * Schedule time to meet with colleagues, in the same profession, to discuss student interventions and research based practices ||
 * School Stakeholder Survey Follow-up || * Testing results sometimes take a long time to get results back...
 * Need leadership from esu for rti plans.
 * There is a great need for another speech pathologist.
 * O/T??? do we even have any? Everything else seems good.
 * Our coordinator does not get back to staff in a timely manner.
 * I see many positive benefits of the one-on-one time that these services provide. In some cases, however, I worry that some students are allowed to simply function instead of being challenged to improve at a new level or higher goal.
 * I wish we had more access to Special Education services since our number of students keeps growing.
 * The special education services are good. It does seem to take quite awhile to get children tested but I know that is due to so much paperwork and everyone is stretched pretty thin.with some students I think there should be more interaction with the speech therapist.
 * This may not be feasible, but would like to have discussion about the development of a regional alternative school.
 * We need a behavior specialist on staff to help students and to help teachers deal with students who have problem behaviors . ||
 * Department Commendations || * Happy with trainings/speakers that Special Education department training has brought in regarding behavior management
 * MANDT training is good - scheduled again in Valentine in Feb
 * Geraldine - caps copes cops - good assessment that is used with students ||
 * Department Recommendations || * Add Sped trainings to ESU #17 website
 * email schools to remind administrators/special education about IEP/MDT timelines regarding regulations ||
 * Additional Comments ||  ||