High Tech Update

HIGH Tech!

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SURVEY

CONGRATULATIONS to PPE! Yes, we did it! Percy Priest ES has been awarded $145,245 from the Leading with Learning Environment Technology Grant.

The funds to be awarded are Race to the Top funds and must meet the compliance issues set forth by the federal government and state department. A special thank you is extended to Technology Coach Donna High and Consulting Teacher Jennifer Coats who were the main writers of the grant.

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Typing Pal —Practice for 10 minutes a day at home to become an expert!
We have introduced the Typing Pal Program to all classes in first through fourth grades. You received a letter at the beginning of the year which gave you the link to the site, as well as your child’s username and password. We are sending that information again this week. PLEASE KEEP THIS INFORMATION IN A SAFE PLACE where your child can access the information each day. We have suggested a minimum of 10 minutes of practice each day in order to see significant growth in mastering the keyboard. Students who do not have Internet access from home can practice on the classroom student stations and on the computers in the PPE library. If you’d like to volunteer to help your child’s teacher in using the COW (Computers on Wheels) mobile cart, I’m sure they’d LOVE to have help in setting it up and in working with the students on Typing Pal and other interactive programs and websites. I will provide training on using Typing Pal and our other site-licensed programs if you’d like to become a volunteer. Just let your child’s teacher or Leslie Hud-son know of your interest or email me at donna.high@mnps.org.
Discovery Education Probes (Practice TCAP tests for 3rd and 4th graders only)

We are currently in the process of creating practice tests which can be taken from home via the Internet. We found that these practice probes made a HUGE difference in the success of our PPE students’ test scores last year. They do make a positive impact! Watch for an information flyer coming home with your students SOON!

Look for the yellow paper in your child’s folder this Friday. It has your child’s login information for Typing Pal.

LINK HERE access Typing Pal.

A quick link will also be provided on the home page.