SUMMER BEGINS!

Summer is officially here on Saturday, June 21st!  The summer solstice occurs in the Northern Hemisphere at 6:51 am EDT on the 21st!  This is the day that has the most hours of

sunlight during the year ---- so get out there!

For more info on the SUMMER and SUMMER activities:

Fact Monster - Understanding the summer solstice for kids!
KidsGeo.com -  The Days the Sun Stands Still - Geography for Kids
At AccuWeather.com - Summer:  Definitions, myths of the season explored
The Old Farmer's Almanac - First Day of Summer 2014:  The Summer Solstice
Wikipedia - Summer
 MyConnecticutKids.com - The online source for family fun - event calendar
PBSparents - Camp PBS Parents - Free (or almost free) summer fun ideas
sixsistersstuff.com - 50 outdoor summer activities for kids
care.com - 101 fun things to do with kids this summer!

Okay as the school years begins to come to a close, perhaps you might be interested in some WEBINARS?

From Education Week:

 

Content Provided by: The Five W’s of Mobile Malware Mobile malware is a growing menace, even though many cybersecurity practitioners don’t fully grasp the situation. This presentation will address the "Five W’s" of mobile malware, namely: Who is developing it and who is being affected by it? What exactly is it? When does it get dropped on mobile devices and when does it execute on mobile devices? Where are botnet operations that harvest mobile devices most prevalent? Why is mobile malware developed in the first place? This high-level presentation will stimulate thoughtful discussions and commensurate actions amongst cybersecurity professionals who are tasked with defending their schools students and faculty, data, and infrastructure. Guests: Kevin McPeak, CISSP, ITILv3, technical architect, security, Public Sector Strategic Programs, Symantec Ben Orencia, education practice manager, Public Sector Strategic Programs, Symantec This webinar will be moderated by Sean Herdman, associate publisher, Education Week Register now for this free live webinar. From AbleNet: Google Chrome as AT Thursday, June 19 With the proliferation of 1:1 programs and Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT), schools are exploring more EdTech solutions to meet the technology needs of learners. With all of this technology – what happens to the struggling student? In this session, learn about an array of Google Chrome apps and extensions that could be beneficial to ALL students. By leveraging the power of this common browser, we can make significant customizations to meet the needs of all students, Including on web enabled devices so students can use any device and have their supports follow them. The session will highlight Google apps and extensions to assist students in the areas of reading, writing, organization, study skills, mind-mapping/ brainstorming, executive function, and math/ computing. • Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM CDT • Presenter: Mike Marotta, ATP • Level: Beginner

From eSchool News:

How to Transform Instruction by Empowering Learners
Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - 3:00 pm EST / 12:00 pm PST

Webinar Overview: Technology is a powerful tool, capable of empowering students to become lifelong learners—but to realize its full potential, we must stop using technology as an “add-on” to instruction. Instead, we must transform the practice of teaching and learning. Join Cameron Evans, chief technology officer and “harbinger of education transformation” at Microsoft, as he leads a conversation for K-12 leaders on how to create a culture that empowers today’s learners to become thinkers and creators. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to: Empower your teachers and students with modern technology. Engage students and prepare them for college or a career. Successfully leverage mobile devices as tools in driving teaching, learning, thinking, and creating. .

Webinar Speakers: Cameron Evans Chief Technology Officer (Harbinger of Education Transformation) US Education, Microsoft Corporation  Sponsored by:

Google for Education: New Caney Independent School District Embarks on 1:1 with Chromebooks

Thursday, June 19, 2014 - 2:00 pm EST / 11: am PST

Webinar Overview: In this webinar, you’ll hear from Dustin Hardin, director of technology at New Caney Independent School District, who will describe the three-year journey New Caney ISD took from not having any wireless access on its 14 campuses to starting a 1-to-1 program with Chromebooks in just three years. Dustin also will discuss why the district chose Chromebooks—and how it was able to pay for the program. New Caney ISD is 45 minutes north of Houston, Texas. The district has over 12,000 students and is one of the fasting growing districts in the Houston metro area. In this webinar, participants will: Learn about the Google for Education solution, which includes Chromebooks, tablets with Google Play for Education, and Google Apps for Education. Hear how this solution can be used to improve student learning, collaboration, and innovation. Get a first-hand account from a district using Google Apps for Education and Chromebooks. Learn how New Caney ISD has put the ingredients in place for a successful pilot and rollout.

Webinar Speakers: Jamie Neuwirth Regional Program Manager for Google Education Dustin Hardin Director of Technology, New Caney Independent School District Sponsored by: