CREdX Updates
All of our talks are revised and ready. Speakers have now entered the "practice every spare minute of your life" stage. Myself and our committee members will begin pulling speakers from class next week to practice. I don't have a set schedule, but it will a time when they aren't at specials or lunch. If one of us arrives to practice and it's not a good time, we can always come back. A reminder that the event is May 24 from 1:30 to 2:30. Please do not schedule anything during that time. I will most likely use Zoom webinars to stream to your classrooms because it's what we are used to.
Last week of checkouts...
Is next week. We will start sending you lists of checked out books after your last checkout to start the collection process. Just a heads-up, we might need to make some changes to our checkout schedule for next week. I'll email you ASAP if that needs to happen.
iPad Collection
I've decided to have each teacher schedule your own iPad collection. I know what you're thinking: less work for Matt. But other schools are collecting during Media class starting the week before and I think that's too early. I want you to have time to finish projects that might still be in progress. So my only hard deadline is that I need all iPads in the Media Center on May 25. You can complete the collection earlier if you want, but please keep them in your rooms. Once CREdX is over on the 24th, I can redirect my attention to iPad collection. Here's the basic process:
- During the last full rotation of Media, Mandy will walk students through the backup of files.
- You will pick a time from May 20-24th to prep your devices for summer. I will give you detailed directions next week for that process. Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.
- Keep your prepared iPads in your room.
- On May 25, I can come around with my cart to pick them up from your class and get them prepped for summer school or next school year.
I'm trying something different this year for end-of-year checkout. I'm asking all staff to turn in your library books and bookroom materials by May 20. Of course, if you are finishing a read aloud, just let me know. I would like to avoid the last contract day scramble to find materials. This change also gives us time to complete our inventory before the last day of school.
Sorry to be a downer, but I feel I should include a blurb about showing videos. Copyright is a complicated issue. I'm not a copyright lawyer, but these issues come up each year. When I saw Netflix was open last week, I contacted my coordinator to make sure I wasn't missing out on some big change. At the very least, you are violating your terms of agreement if you are using streaming services in class. I have no idea why Netflix isn't blocked on the filter anymore. It's not because it's suddenly allowed to be shown. Netflix does offer free one time use of some of its documentaries. You can find more information here: Educational Screenings of Documentaries. Maybe that's why is open now. Amazon Prime is open because if it was blocked, we couldn't purchase on Amazon. Disney+ is blocked because they sue. There is a process to determine "Educational Fair Use", but that does not apply to streaming services. That is for physical copies that are owned and only shown for specific purposes and for specific durations. With that being said, I'm not the copyright police and I'm not going to tell on you if I see you streaming something in class. With that being said...
