E-News

Brainpop - http://www.brainpop.com/

Have you guys ever used this resource? I loved having this as a classroom teacher because of the videos and activities I could do with students. Since I left the classroom, they have included the Texas state standards with their videos, so teachers can search my standard for the right video for their students.

Be sure to explore this resource. It has a lot to offer the classroom teacher. When we attended TCEA, our campus received a free 30-trial that I activated today. Our username/password are:

UserName - scottstar
Password - stars

Use it and let me know what you think!

Remind 101 - www.remind101.com

Hopefully most of you are receiving the Text Messages from me about updates and school news via Remind 101. I know our 4th grade team is using this service with their parents to communicate important news and send last minute reminders. Even Mr. Worthy is using this service with the principals to share last minute news.

Why use text messages to communicate? Generally speaking many of our parents don't read the paper reminders and updates we send home with students. If we send emails, only 22% of emails get read. However, about 98% of texts get read and 91% of adults have their mobile phone within arms reach 24/7 (Source: Mashable).

So check out the Remind 101 service and see if this is something that would be helpful for you to communicate with your parents or students (because you know kids have phones too).

Also, be sure you are subscribed to receive Text Messages from me. You can find those directions here. If you are having trouble, please just ask. This system was very helpful on Monday to share updates about afternoon schedule times.

Region 10 on Social Media

As many of you know, I love using Twitter and get SO many ideas from my Professional Learning Network (PLN). Region 10 has a Twitter account for you to see updates and resources available for you. You can follow them on Twitter:
@R10instruction
@R10ELA
@R10science
@R10math
@R10socstudies
@R10effectiveTP
YouTube
Region 10 Channel - www.youtube.com/user/Powerof10Texas
TEA Channel - www.youtube.com/user/TxEdAgency

Reminder for Tutoring Dates

Listing below are the dates we are having for tutoring this Spring semester. Again, these are for Tuesdays and Thursdays only:

February 25 & 27

March 4 & 6

**Spring Break**

March 18 & 20

March 25 & 27

** 4th Grade Writing STAAR**

April 8 & 10

April 15 & 17

Dates to Remember

• February 20 - All Pro Dads
• February 20 - Bedtime Stories (Grades K-2) @ 6:30pm
• February 22 - Edcamp Awesome
• February 26 - DI Dress Rehearsal @ 8:15am
• March 6 - Faculty, Spring and Class Group Pictures
• March 6 - Open House @ 6:30pm-7:30pm
• March 7 - Flashlight Friday
• March 10-14 - Spring Break!!
• March 17 - Staff Meeting
• March 18 - Visit from Dentist
• March 18 - 1st Grade Music Program @ 7:00pm
• March 20 - All Pro Dads