computerdisc-l: Monday Memo Info

["Teresa Jones" <tjones@mde.k12.ms.us>]

The Southern Regional Education Board recently recognized Crystal
Springs High School (Copiah County School District) and Northwest Rankin
High School (Rankin County School District) for outstanding achievement
during the 2007 High Schools That Work (HSTW) Summer Conference in New
Orleans, Louisiana. Crystal Springs High School received the national
HSTW Gold Improvement Award for significant gains in student achievement
in all three content areas (reading, mathematics and science) of the
HSTW assessment from 2004 to 2006. They also met the following criteria:
had 50 or more students to complete the 2006 assessment; participated in
two assessments (2004 and 2006); assessed similar student populations in
both years; and met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Northwest Rankin
High School received the HSTW Pacesetter School Award, newly implemented
this year, for the depth of its implementation of the HSTW model and for
high student achievement. They also met the following criteria: 85
percent or more students met one or more HSTW performance goals; 85
percent or more students met one or more HSTW curriculum goals; 85
percent or more students completed one or more concentrations
(career/technical, mathematics/science, humanities); achieved HSTW
"high-implementation" status; participated in the two most recent HSTW
Assessments (2004 and 2006); 50 or more seniors completed the HSTW
assessments; met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and achieved an 85
percent or higher graduation rate.

The Best Buy te@ch program rewards schools up to $10,000 for successful
interactive programs they have launched using available technology.
Winning te@ch programs focus on kids using technology to learn
standards-based curriculum, rather than on teaching students to use
technology or educators using technology that children aren't able to
use hands-on. The deadline is September 30. Schools located within a
50-mile radius of a Best Buy store are eligible. For more information
and to apply, go to
http://communications.bestbuy.com/communityrelations/teach.asp. 
 
Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program funds school improvement
projects initiated by parents in recognition of the importance of parent
involvement in education. The maximum award is $5,000 and K-12 schools
(or parent groups (associated with a non-profit K-12 school) are
eligible. The deadline to apply is October 12. For more information go
to http://toolboxforeducation.com.
Long Beach High School is hosting the TI Navigator™ & More conference on
July 26 for middle school, high school, and college instructors. The
conference will give participants a chance to learn how to use TI
graphing calculators and APPS such as the new EasyData APP and other
data collection devices. Sessions will provide learning opportunities
for participants of all ability levels from beginners to advanced users.
More information and a registration form can be found at
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/acad/id/curriculum/Math/index.htm. 

The Mississippi Association for Career and Technical Education (MS ACTE)
Summer Conference will be held July 26-27 on the Raymond Campus of Hinds
Community College. The registration fee is $40 for members; $70 for
non-members. CEU credit (.5 hours) will be issued for a fee of $25. If
you are not a member of ACTE, consider joining so your benefits can
start immediately. Download a copy of the membership application from
ACTE's Web site at http://www.mississippiacte.com/. For more
information, contact MS ACTE Executive Director Linda Bath at
601-857-5763. 
 Download a free copy of the School Employees Wellness: A Guide for
Protecting the Assets of Our Nation's Schools, now available from the
Directors of the Health Promotion and Education at
http://www.schoolempwell.org/. The guide provides information, practical
tools and resources for school employee wellness programs. In addition
to the guide, the Web site also contains resources and more. For more
information, contact MDE's Office of Healthy Schools at 601-359-1340.



Business and Computer Technology
Mississippi Department of Education 
Office of Vocational Education and Workforce Development
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205
Phone: 601-359-3940
Fax: 601-359-6619
Email: tjones@mde.k12.ms.us