A Must Read!

We know we're a few days late on Website Wednesday, but we sure are excited about this week's topic. We don't want anyone to miss out. This week it's all about Language Arts. Check out these exciting sites!


Catch the Spelling
http://www.manythings.org/cts/
Has a huge collection of spelling games. Game have falling letters, you catch with a paddle, much like the popular arcade game Breakout. Select from word categories (birds, kitchen, body parts), difficulty, level of hints provided, or grade level. (Dolch site words for kindergarten through third grade.)

Lexical FreeNet
http://www.lexfn.com/
Type in any two words and look for synonyms, antonyms, rhymes, anagrams and more. There's even an option to find words in the database with similar spellings.

WritingFix
http://www.writingfix.com/
Writing Fix has hundreds of ideas for teaching writing. Their site supports resources and ideas from K-12th grade.

Language Arts for Middle School and High School
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/lang_mid.htm
This site has a plethora of sites to help with citing sources, grammar exercises, Homonyms and Homophones, and soooo much more.

Wordle
Wordle.net
Wordle allows you and your students to make “word clouds.” Use it for vocabulary, spelling, writing, and more. One of the ways I’ve seen Wordle used is by copying and pasting a speech by a Democratic President and a Republican President and comparing. Great tool for all ages!

Myfakewall.com
myfakewall.com
Ever wonder what Benjamin Franklin’s Facebook page might look like? Ever wonder who he might have friended? What about Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird? What would her Facebook page look like? Well why don’t you or your students create a fake Facebook wall with myfakewall.com. It’s simple and free. Check it out!

Seeking Full-Time Custodian

PIKES PEAK PREP charter school, located near downtown Colorado Springs, is looking for a full-time School Custodian.

Job Objective:  The Pikes Peak Prep School Custodian is responsible for the physical condition of our school, including keeping facilities clean, orderly, stocked and repaired. The School Custodian will also provide technical expertise and manual skill in the inspection, servicing, and maintenance of the buildings, grounds, equipment, furnishings and systems.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (some days may require flexible scheduling)

Minimum Qualifications:

· School or related building custodial or maintenance experience.

· Meets all mandated health screening requirements (e.g., negative tuberculosis test, etc.).

· A record free of criminal violations that would prohibit public school employment.

· Ability to perform the physical activities necessary to this position.

· Embodies high ethical standards and integrity and accepts responsibility for decisions and conduct.

· Complies with drug-free workplace rules, school policies, and administrative guidelines/procedures.

· Ability to comply with environmental, health, and safety laws/regulations, building codes, and ADA accessibility guidelines.

 · Desire to work in a school setting as a positive member of an educational team that includes students, staff, parents and community members.

· Ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule to support special school events.

Desired Qualifications:

. Skill/experience in maintenance/repair procedures (e.g., mechanical, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, etc.).

· Skill/experience in building systems (e.g., HVAC, fire suppression, security, communication, etc.).

· Valid driver’s license. Meets all prerequisite and ongoing qualifications to be covered by the district’s insurance carrier.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Heavy cleaning duties, such as washing walls and windows, shampooing rugs, cleaning floors, removing rubbish and performing routine maintenance activities.

· Replenishes stock in bathrooms, cleaning restrooms, gathering and emptying trash, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, monitoring building safety and security and dusting.

· Moves heavy furniture to reach corners, cracks and crevices of covered parts of the room. They may have to clean equipment, such as computers and tables.

· Performs maintenance duties. Installs equipment. Repairs structures, windows, doors, equipment, and furnishings. Takes the initiative to perform routine responsibilities independently.

· Keeps school administration informed about ongoing building maintenance activities and emerging issues.

· Advances the school’s professional image.

· Maintains open/effective communications.

· Uses problem-solving techniques to tactfully address and resolve questions/concerns.

· Assists as needed to facilitate community participation in school activities.

· Anticipates and replenishes consumable supplies to avoid work schedule interruptions. Helps with the receipt of deliveries. Inspects packages. Verifies quantities. Complies with safety and environmental regulations. Ensures that supplies are labeled and stored safely.

· Cleans, moves, and arranges furnishings, supplies, and equipment as directed.

· Performs repairs. Avoids disrupting building activities except during emergencies. Consults with school administration to schedule major repairs and ensure compliance with building codes and ADA accessibility standards.

· Deals with unexpected situations (e.g., accidents, equipment failure, etc.). Follows approved safety procedures to clean up injuries involving chemicals, solvents, blood, body fluids and/or body tissues. Participates in occupational safety and health training programs, as directed.

· Monitors, regulates and inspects equipment as directed. Helps prepare equipment for annual inspections, maintenance activities, and/or shutdown.

· Maintains playground areas and equipment as directed.

· Assists with snow removal operations as directed.

· Performs routine preventive maintenance activities (e.g., lubricates moving parts, replaces filters, cleans equipment, adjusts/replaces belts, changes oil, prepares items for storage, etc.).

· Documents all injuries that require treatment.

· Picks-up and delivers equipment, materials, and other supplies as directed.

· Checks daily schedule and coordinates preparation and clean-up activities for building events.

· Assists other staff as needed to deal with unexpected or urgent situations.

· Monitors building conditions. Reports suspected problems and/or unsafe conditions (e.g., unusual odors, discolorations, noises, leaks, etc.).

· Anticipates and prepares for fire, health, and safety inspections. Monitors safety equipment (e.g., electrical, lighting, alarm systems, etc.) as directed. Maintains clear routes for emergency egress.

· Takes appropriate action to protect school property. Ensures that assigned buildings and job sites are secured at the end of the day. Responds to emergencies as needed.

· Helps uphold security procedures. Assists rental groups as directed. Directs visitors to the office.

· Reports discipline problems, vandalism, graffiti, equipment malfunctions, and other concerns.

· Takes precautions to ensure safety. Watches for conduct/situations that may indicate a problem. Works with staff to manage or eliminate risk factors.

· Prepares/maintains accurate records. Submits required paperwork on time.

· Maintains the confidentiality of privileged information.

· Reports suspected child abuse and/or neglect to civil authorities as required by law.

· Participates in staff meetings and professional growth opportunities as directed.

· Strives to develop rapport and serve as a positive role model for others.

· Helps students understand and embrace ethical conduct and democratic values.

· Maintains a professional appearance. Wears work attire appropriate for the position.

· Demonstrates professionalism and contributes to a positive work/learning environment.

· Effectively uses active listening, observation, reading, verbal, nonverbal, and writing skills.

· Maintains an acceptable attendance record and is punctual.

· Reacts productively to interruptions and changing conditions.

· Works efficiently with limited supervision. Prioritizes tasks to meet deadlines.

· Performs other specific job-related duties as directed.

Working Safety is essential to job performance. Employees must exercise caution and comply with conditions, standard safety regulations and district procedures when involved in the following situations:

· Balancing, bending, climbing, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and/or standing.

· Exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature extremes.

· Exposure to air-borne particulates, chemical irritants, combustible materials, electrical hazards, equipment vibrations, noises, and odors. Exposure to wet and/or slippery surfaces.

· Exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases.

· Interactions with aggressive, disruptive, and/or unruly individuals.

· Lifting, carrying, and moving work-related supplies/equipment.

· Operating and/or riding in a vehicle.

· Performing tasks that require strenuous physical exertion.

· Traveling to meetings and work assignments.

· Working at various heights, in confined spaces, and/or in variable/diminished lighting.

· Working in proximity to moving mechanical parts.

Two ways to apply for this position:

1.  Reply to this posting with a resume and/or or letter of interest listing past experience and qualifications.

2.  Apply in person at 525 E. Costilla Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Pikes Peak Prep is an equal opportunity employer. This job description identifies general responsibilities and is not intended to be a complete list of all duties performed. This document is subject to change in response to student demographics, staffing factors, funding variables, modified operating procedures, program/curriculum changes, and unforeseen events.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2012.

Celebrating Pikes Peak Prep

Students Helping Students

 

 

Ms. Groves’ 4^th grade class enjoys mentoring time and spelling practice with their high school “wing buddies.” What a cool example of students helping students!

Tech Tip Tuesday 9/4/12

 Don’t you just hate it when you call the doctor and his remedy is, “just take an aspirin?”

… or when you get to the mechanic and the suddenly car quits making that funny noise?

… or you call IT and they say, “Did you check the power button?”

Well, it happens to the best of us! Here are some simple troubleshooting tips to try BEFORE you call your friendly IT Department:

The Problem	The FIX
Deleted a file	Open Recycle Bin-right-click-restore
Can’t exit a program	Alt+F4
Can’t find a program	Type “WORD” (or program’s name you need into the Search bar found under the Windows Button in the lower right hand corner of your task bar.
Keyboard doesn’t work	Plug cord into back of the computer and then reboot machine
Mouse doesn’t work	Plug cord into back of the computer and then reboot machine
Start button is gone	Push Windows button on keyboard
No Sound	Un mute, turn volume up, plug headphones in Reboot
Can’t find a file	Start button-search for file name by using search bar.
Menu command grayed out	Push escape 3 times
What’s today’s date?	Hove mouse over clock in the lower right hand side of menu
Taskbar Gone	Push Window button-drag border up to expose
Taskbar was moved	Drag it to the bottom of screen
Desktop icons messed up	Right click on screen-arrange icons.
Icons on Desktop too small	Highlight and hit Ctrl+ to enlarge
Computer frozen	Reboot (it’s the Microsoft thing to do!)
Erased text in a document	Ctrl+Z
Tool bar missing in Internet Explorer	Push F11 key
Internet window too small	Ctrl+to enlarge; Ctrl-to decrease size
Shift key doesn’t work	Push cap lock to disengage
When I type, it types over the words	Push the ‘insert’ button
The document says ‘read only’	Just click on file-save as and name it a new name.

Let's Talk Numbers!

GEO Foundation's Director of Instructional Technology has a "Website Wednesday" with educational sites for students, teachers and parents. This Wednesday's topic, MATH!

Brain Nook: http://www.brainnook.com/

Great little site that works on Math and English skills.  Student’s work through different series of scenarios that they have to resolve by answering mathematics and language arts questions.  Great for students under 5^th grade!

Learn your Tables: http://www.learnyourtables.co.uk/

Great site for students to learn and develop multiplication skills.

Ten Marks: http://www.tenmarks.com/tmother/free

Ten Marks provides educators with an online forum in which they can assign mathematics practice problems to students and track their students' progress. If a student gets stuck on a problem he or she can open a tutorial to help him or her through the problem. 

Yummy Math: http://www.yummymath.com/

GREAT website for sharing mathematics problems and scenarios based on things happening in the world today.  For example, today’s problem has to do with a Hurricane! 

Conceptua: http://www.conceptuamath.com/fractions.html

Provides interactive visual mathematic lessons for teachers when teaching fractions. 

Math TV: http://www.mathtv.com/videos_by_topic

provides an extensive collection of high quality mathematics tutorials.

Have a safe holiday weekend!!!!

-LeaAnn, Director of Instructional Technology, GEO Foundation

Free Spirit Shirt- Deadline August 31st