Capitol+Day+Planning

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May 6, 2009
Dear Colleagues,

Please excuse the following 9th graders from class today in order to participate in CFF Capitol Day in Harrisburg!

Karishma Purswani Johanna Reck Sara Symoczko Gwynne Richmond Luke Mikelonis Michelle Pham

Thanks,

Scott

May 5, 2009
Hi Susan

I just wanted to share with you a press release from the CFF Capitol Day tomorrow. Scott Cox and his students have worked REALLY hard on the project. Upper Merion was selected from MANY applicants to represent how Classrooms for the Future is changing teaching and learning across the state. We have been informed that the group is going to their our photo taken with Representative Tim Briggs. I will plan to bring my camera and cables so I can send you those photos before lunchtime tomorrow. Feel free to send to whomever or use in whatever way you see appropriate!

Kristin

May 4, 2009
Hi All,

I will be out of class tomorrow, but will be in the building. Let's meet afterschool for no more than an hour to practice our presentation.

Some last reminders:
 * Bring your permission slips (one for medical, one for transportation);
 * Dress nicely on Wednesday--look like you're going for a job interview;
 * Finish your weekend homework about the site (MP & LM: I am waiting for your replies!).

Thanks!

See you tomorrow,

Mr. Cox

April 30, 2009
Hi Anne,

I am pleased to hear than Rep. Briggs will be visiting our showcase! My students are hard at work on their presentation, and will be excited to get this news. Please thank Rep. Briggs for making time for this visit.

Best regards,

Scott A. Cox Upper Merion Area HS

PS: I have copied this note to our High School Principal, Jonathan Bauer, and our Technology Coach, Kristin Hokanson, as well as the students involved in the presentation!

On Apr 30, 2009, at 2:23 PM, Foreman, Anne wrote:

Dear Scott,

We have been notified that you a some students will be participating in the Classrooms for the Future student showcase next week. I just wanted to let you know that Rep. Briggs is planning to come see your exhibit and take a photo with you and the students at 10:15 a.m. We look forward to seeing you and your students on Wednesday.

Anne

April 29, 2009
Hi Presenters,

Thanks for meeting with me today and working out a presentation plan. I am excited about the work you have already done and the other work we have planned!

Please work on these two assignments, and get your ideas back to me no later than Sunday evening:

Poster Material: What should we put on the poster? I would like to feature screenshots of the Please send me your choices, and anything else that should become part of our posters!
 * Best Discussion Thread;
 * Best Navigation Guide;
 * Best Diagram;
 * Best Descriptions;
 * Best Connections;
 * Best External Links.


 * Postcard text: What should we put on the postcard? You will have less than 20 words to summarize what is important about Searching, Collaborating, Creating, Publishing, and Refining in the wikispace project. It will be quarter-page sized, with this basic look:

April 26, 2009 (2)
Hi Again,

I have attached a permission form for our trip. You can print it out at home or at school. I will need to have it in hand on a week from tomorrow (Monday, May 4).

Thanks!

Mr. Cox

April 26, 2009 (1)
Hi Capitol Day Presenters!

Just an e-mail reminder of our meeting on Wednesday after school. We will begin to prepare our presentation for Capitol Day on the following Wednesday.

I will be preparing a set of topics that other teachers would probably be interested in hearing about, and I will share that with you on Wednesday. We also need to plan presentations for a room where internet access is unreliable! We will need to plan ahead how to feature our work without spur of the moment browsing!

I would like you to prepare a list of topics that other students would probably be interested in hearing about. What made this project memorable? What made it challenging? What made it different from other projects you've done for school? How did your experience with the laptop change this project? What did you learn that you weren't expecting? Any other ideas are most welcome!

On Wednesday, we will be done in plenty of time to get the 4:20 late bus home. Depending on how much we accomplish, I may call another meeting for next week.

Thanks again for your interest in this project! I look forward to working with you on Wednesday.

Mr. Cox

April 8, 2009
Hi Virginia,

I have selected my team of six students (a difficult task as all 117 of my students contributed to the UMInfoTech Wikispace!), and they are listed below:

Luke Mikelonis Johanna Reck Gwynne Richmond Sara Symoczko Michelle Pham Karishma Purswani

Thank you for this opportunity,

Scott A. Cox Upper Merion Area HS

April 7, 2009
Hi X,

I hope there was no misunderstanding here, but I needed to finalize our registration for CFF Student Capitol Day today, and I had not heard from you about whether you were able to attend. Therefore, I chose one of the other students I had identified as replacements. I am sorry you won't be joining us, but I still thank you for your contributions to UMInfoTech, and you can be sure that we will be discussing some of the lessons you learned (and taught) as part of the project!

See you next week,

Mr. Cox

April 7, 2009
Hi X,

I had one cancellation for Student Capitol Day, so I am happy to welcome you onto the team! Please put the date on your calendar, and I will be in touch with you next week about some planning meetings we will also need.

Thanks for your interest!

Mr. Cox

April 3, 2009 (2)
This is a bittersweet email for me to send. Our school has been invited to present your UMInfoTech wikispace project at the Student Capitol Day in Harrisburg with students from approximately 30 other high schools in Pennsylvania.

I am unfortunately NOT able to offer you a spot on the team of students I am assembling for this day, but I have great respect for the work you did on the wikispace project.

If any of the invited students are unable to participate, I may contact you by e-mail this weekend to add you to the team. Because of deadline constraints, I need to know who is definitely able to participate by Monday, April 6. I have many worthy candidates for this recognition, and if I invite you and I do not receive an e-mail reply within 24 hours, I will offer the opportunity to another student. If you or your parent/guardian have questions, they can email me directly, or call me at 610-864-9971.

Here are details about the event:

DATE: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 LOCATION: EAST Capitol Rotunda TIME: 10AM - 2PM ARRIVAL/REGISTRATION/SETUP: 9AM - 10AM CLEAN-UP: 2:00PM

We will meet at the High School at 7:00. We will return to the High School in time for the late bus.

Participants will need to pack lunch or bring money to buy lunch in the Capitol cafeteria. Participants will need to be dressed professionally, as you may be photographed and/or interviewed for news media. Above all, participants should be prepared to speak about the project to interested individuals such as Governor Rendell, legislators, PDE representatives, and other educators.

In addition, participants will need to meet with Mr. Cox and other participants on at least two days after school in April in order to prepare our display and presentation.

Thanks for your excellent work on this project, and I will contact you if there is a spot on the team for you to participate in Student Capitol Day!

Best regards,

Mr. Scott A. Cox

April 3, 2009 (1)
Congratulations! You have been invited to present your UMInfoTech wikispace project at the Student Capitol Day in Harrisburg with five other Upper Merion students and students from approximately 30 other high schools in Pennsylvania.

Because of deadline constraints, I need to know be the end of today, (Friday, April 3) if you are definitely able to participate. I have many worthy candidates for this recognition, and I do not receive an e-mail reply this evening, after you have secured permission from home, I will offer the opportunity to another student. If you or your parent/guardian have questions, they can email me directly, or call me at 610-864-9971.

DON'T FORGET TO E-MAIL YOUR RSVP ON FRIDAY, APRIL 3!

Here are details about the event:

DATE: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 LOCATION: EAST Capitol Rotunda TIME: 10AM - 2PM ARRIVAL/REGISTRATION/SETUP: 9AM - 10AM CLEAN-UP: 2:00PM

We will meet at the High School at 7:00. We will return to the High School in time for the late bus.

You will need to pack lunch or bring money to buy lunch in the Capitol cafeteria. You will need to be dressed professionally, as you may be photographed and/or interviewed for news media. Above all, you should be prepared to speak about the project to interested individuals such as Governor Rendell, legislators, PDE representatives, and other educators.

In addition, you will need to meet with Mr. Cox and other participants on at least two days after school in April in order to prepare our display and presentation.

Thanks for your excellent work on this project, and I look forward to working with you as we prepare for Student Capitol Day!

Best regards,

Mr. Scott A. Cox