December 2009 CRS Advanced Technology
IN THIS ISSUEGARDEN CITY USD # 457 YOU DON'T HAVE TO MANUALLY ENTERING SUBFINDER 5 K-12 TECHNOLOGY TRENDS FOR 2010 ECO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY GREETING
CRS EMPLOYEE BEING DEPLOYED QUICK LINKS CRS WEBSITE NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE SUBFINDER MEET MAXX
It is hard to believe – 2009 is almost over! Welcome to the December edition of InTouch Online; the final edition of the year! What a year it has been, and so much to look forward to in 2010!
Before we wrap up the year and head out on the holiday break, we have a great newsletter in store for you. Garden City USD #457 has been a customer of ours since 2006; I recently got to speak with their SubFinder operator, Lisa Sander, to discuss how they utilize SubFinder, as well as their recent upgrade to SubFinder 5.9. From our Client Service department, account specialist, Jim Gibson, provides some insight into SubFinder’s FREE feature, Data Exchange Pro, and how it can save organizations time and money. There’s much more, so enjoy!
We hope you have enjoyed the e-newsletter. If you would like more information about CRS Advanced Technology and our suite of products, please contact us at 800.782.3463, or email at subfinder@crsadvtech.com. Don’t forget to stop by our website at www.crsadvancedtechnology.com.
Customer Highlight:
Garden City USD #457, KansasNo More Manual Calling or Data Entry
Interview by: Corinne McLaughlin, Marketing Coordinator
Interview with: Lisa Sander, SubFinder OperatorHistorical and demographic information referenced from www.gardencity.net.
Garden City, Kansas is located in the southwestern part of the state in Finney County. The founders of Garden City and the first to make settlement on homesteads in Finney County were the Fulton brothers. William and James Fulton ranged over the Finney county region following the business of hunting buffalo and wild horses for several years. After surveying and filing for a section of land, Garden City was founded in the spring of 1878, having begun with the construction of only two frame houses. The Fulton brothers, along with others, had a vision to turn this desert like prairie into a town that would last.The first years of Garden City, and their original settlers, proved to be industrious, imaginative, and resourceful. Discovering that the settled land was fertile and produced an abundance of fruitful crops, people began to flock to the area, whereby the population soared over 6,000 by the year 1888. Throughout the growth of the sugar beet industry, the stock market crash, the Depression, and other timeline events, Garden City is still flourishing. Many newcomers are still arriving and bringing their ideas, work ethics, and families to grow and prosper. Finney County welcomes the growth, which is why they are the fastest growing county in Kansas.
A customer of ours since 2006, Garden City Public Schools is a kindergarten through 12th grade public school system. With a total enrollment of over 7,400 students, Garden City is comprised of eleven elementary schools, two intermediate centers, two middle schools, one high school, and an alternative center. I was lucky enough to talk with Garden City’s SubFinder Operator, Lisa Sander, about SubFinder and how they use as many features and functionalities as possible. Not only that, but as an ASP* customer, Garden City was recently upgraded to SubFinder 5.9, read along and find out what they think!
*SubFinder as an ASP is where the system is housed in the CRS Operation Center at our location in Pennsylvania.
Garden City USD has been using SubFinder since 2006. How long have you been working with the SubFinder system?
I was instrumental in the implementation of SubFinder. I have been working for Garden City USD since 1993. I used to manually call substitute placements up until I could not physically make 100 calls every evening; so SubFinder has been a welcomed friend of mine.
How often do you schedule SubCast reports to go out; how does this help your site managers?
I have SubCast reports scheduled to go out on a daily basis. SubCast is wonderful because you can schedule certain reports to be sent out to your various sites via email. On Fridays I have SubCast reports go out twice. The second report that goes out on Fridays is to let the building know who has put in for advanced leave. It helps the site secretaries know ahead of time what staff member will be gone for that day(s).
What do you feel that substitutes at Garden USD value most about SubFinder?
I think the substitutes value the fact that they can set their schedules in advance and know that they have work for future dates. Our substitutes value SubFinder for the proactive approach that the system provides them.
What benefits does SubFinder provide to those employees who use the system?
Our certified staff enjoys the benefit of placing absences year round. They also value being able to keep track of their absences, in the event we make a mistake.
Does Garden City USD integrate SubFinder with their payroll system?
We do! We export all of our absence information into our payroll system, Skyward. This has saved us time during the payroll process!
Garden City USD was recently upgraded to SubFinder version 5.9. Tell us what you think about the current upgrade process, and the newest features and enhancements.
I think SubFinder 5.9 is a great step for us! I am planning to schedule an appointment with our account specialist to go over some of the latest features and functions. As an ASP customer, our upgrade process was flawless; the CRS technicians had us upgraded on a Saturday when there was the least amount of activity going on in SubFinder. Come Monday, everything was set and ready!
How do you feel SubFinder has helped the most in the past almost 5 years?
Where do I begin? Relieving me of having to keep track of so many absences, typing emails to each site every morning, evening callings...I could go on. I love having the ability to pull absence reports for the day or in advance, so I can alert my sites if we are going to be short on substitutes for the day, or an advance day. I just love SubFinder, it really has made my life and job much easier!
I would like to give Lisa a BIG thank you for participating in the December Customer Highlight! Would you like more information about SubFinder and all the features and functions it has to offer? If so, please contact a CRS representative at 800.782.3463.
You Don’t Have To Manually Enter SubFinder Data
A FREE Feature That Also Saves Time & MoneyBy: Jim Gibson, Account Specialist
What is Data Exchange Pro (DxPro)?
DxPro is a FREE SubFinder tool that integrates SubFinder with human resource management systems and/or payroll systems. DxPro can import and export information manually and automatically. You can import information from your HR system into SubFinder, as well as export data from SubFinder. Not only that, you can subsequently import that data into your current payroll system. We integrate with almost all payroll systems and routinely add exports.
How will DxPro save me time?
DxPro will save you and your organization time and money by reducing the time you spend manually entering data into SubFinder and your payroll system. Below are some examples of how your organization can take advantage of Data Exchange Pro.
Employee and Substitute Information:
You can update your entire employee and substitute profile information with one quick import. This simply means that you can make updates to your employees and substitutes in your HR system, export that information, convert it to the required format, and import it into SubFinder. You can do this manually or automatically.
Exporting to Your Payroll System:
You also have the capability of exporting time worked, and importing the file produced by SubFinder into your payroll systems. Again, this can be done manually or automatically.
Exporting and converting to Excel:
One big function of DxPro that is often overlooked is the ability to import the text file that is produced into Microsoft Excel. This will allow an operator, administrator, or anybody in need of the data to manipulate the information much easier.I hope this has provided some insight on what this FREE feature can do for you. If you have any questions regarding DxPro, or would like further information about all the features SubFinder has to offer, please contact a CRS representative at 800.782.3463.
5 K-12 Technology Trends for 2010
A Look at the Top Technology Tools and Trends to Keep an Eye On in the Coming YearBy: Bridget McCrea, Business and Technology writer; article from THE Journal
With technology evolving at the speed of light, and everyone looking to benefit from the latest, greatest hardware and software, keeping up can be challenging for educators, administrators, and school districts themselves. To help, THE Journal spoke with a handful of technology experts and came up with a short list of top tech trends you'll want to watch in the New Year. Here they are:
1. eBooks Will Continue to Proliferate
eBook readers aren't going to replace traditional math and English textbooks anytime soon, but J. Gerry Purdy, chief analyst, mobile and wireless, for business research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan in Atlanta, said the devices will gain traction in the K-12 arena this year."The eBook phenomenon is gaining ground in the consumer space, where people are using them to read both fiction and non-fiction," said Purdy. "The way the stars are aligned, it won't be long before someone adapts eBooks out of the consumer space and makes textbooks available on these portable devices."
While eBooks would literally lessen the load that students have to carry around with them in backpacks all day, Purdy said, the devices aren't "quite there yet" when it comes to color, graphics, and symbols. "The eBook readers are mostly black-and-white right now," he added, "but when the technology advances to the point where color and animation can be integrated, it will become much more viable for the textbook market."
2. Netbook Functionality Will Grow
One-to-one computer initiatives are proliferating throughout United States schools and are expected to become even more popular in 2010 as netbooks become even more affordable. Priced at $200 to $300, these small, inexpensive computers are helping to bridge the technology divide that exists at those schools where individual students don't have access to their own laptops.
Netbooks, Purdy said, are opening the door for students to tap the Web as a learning tool, along with general computing--which will eliminate the need for multiple devices (one for computing, another for Web browsing, and so forth) by students, said Purdy, and will help streamline technology initiatives at the district level. "I know that if were administration, I wouldn't want to issue two to three devices to each student," he said. "I'd want one device that would fulfill multiple needs."
3. More Teachers Will Use Interactive Whiteboards
Large, interactive display systems that allow teachers and students to work together in ways that traditional blackboards could not are gaining ground in the K-12 environment. Expect the trend to continue this year, said Sheryl Abshire, chief technology officer for Calcasieu Parish Public Schools in Lake Charles, LA.
"These tools have been around for a while, but the educational landscape wasn't ready to use them 10 years ago," said Abshire.
Abshire said she credits federal economic stimulus funds for helping to advance the use of whiteboards, many of which are just now being installed and used in the nation's K-12 schools. "We're seeing a big resurgence in their use, and I expect that to continue in 2010," she said. "The buzzword for the 21st century is 'engaged learning,' and the whiteboards will serve as a catalyst for getting students out of their seats and up to the board to learn."
4. Personal Devices Will Infiltrate the Classroom
Sometimes barred from the classroom owing to perceptions of security risks and student "distractions," smart phones and iPods are now making their way into the K-12 space, and with teachers' and administrators' blessings. "We're definitely on the cusp of seeing more of these personal devices in the classroom," Abshire predicted.
The fact that most smart phones come with wireless capabilities and larger screens make them particularly relevant in the K-12 space, where "after the stimulus money runs out, we're going to be in trouble in terms of federal money for technology," said Abshire. "The next logical step is for the devices to come into school."
Purdy concurred and said the fact that some students are getting their own wireless devices by second or third grade will accelerate the trend. "We used to think this was a 'teen' phenomenon," said Purdy. "But it’s now culturally acceptable for someone as young as seven or eight years old to have a cell phone. It won't be long before every student will have access to one or more wireless, portable devices in the classroom."
5. Technology Will Enable Tailored Curricula
On educators' and administrators' wish lists right now is an easier, tech-based way to assess record and track individual student performance in the classroom. David Stienes, principal with private equity fund LLR Partners in Philadelphia, said those wishes could come true this year, courtesy of several emerging companies that are working on new student assessment tools.Once ready for prime time, the programs will allow teachers to track a child's progression through the K-12 years on a weekly basis to ensure that "things are going according to plan," said Stienes. The programs will also integrate benchmarking data for measuring a student's progress against other children, thus paving the way for more individualized, customized curriculum options.
"Historically, schools have given specialized attention to students who 'fall out of the system,' but not when it comes to applying individual curriculum to a broader population," said Stienes. "Look for technology to change that in the near future."
Visit http://thejournal.com/Home.aspx for daily news and resources for transforming education with technology.
Eco-Friendly Holiday Greetings
By: Corinne McLaughlin, Marketing Coordinator
Article from: http://agreenliving.net/
Believe it or not, but the holidays are right around the corner. It is the season of giving, which means the holiday cards will soon be arriving, presents will need to be wrapped, and lights will be hung. We all have the thoughts of giving to our family and friends, but this year we should also think about giving to our environment. There are some great ways you can give holiday greetings and gifts in an eco-friendly way. I found this article on http://agreenliving.net/; I hope these practices will find some savings for you, as well as help be a little friendlier towards our environment.
Use Wrappers that are Recycled
Make it your New Year’s resolution to save wrapping products, bows, and bags that you may receive throughout the year. Or you can even use items found around for home, such as old newspapers or wrapping paper from last season. This not only cuts down on trash, but will also save you money that you can put towards gifts!
Recycled Cards or Going with Electronic Greetings
What do you do with all of those cards that pile up during the holiday season? Most would throw them in the trash. Instead of sending the regular holiday card, why not try purchasing cards that are made out of recycled paper. To save on postage and purchasing cards, why not send your holiday greetings via email? For those creative individuals, to save some money, create your own greeting cards. (Editor’s Note: If you save your cards from one year to the next, you can save money by cutting off the printed side of the card and send the picture side as a holiday postcard!)
Cut Off the Lights
It’s a tradition to hang lights during the holiday season. With the lights come holiday cheer, and also a raise in your electric bills. You can still share the the holiday season with lights, but remember to shut them off before you go to bed; another suggestion, many lights can but put on timers, so you don’t have to worry if you forget. This will cut down on your electric bill, and conserve energy! (Editor’s Note: The new LED lights are more energy efficient. Some retailers have even created drops where you can turn in your old lights.)
Check Out Printers that are Eco Friendly
If you are sending out paper greeting cards that you are printing yourself, find printer that uses recycled inks and paper. Many companies provide this eco friendly practice; it could be a little pricier, but consider it a gift to the environment.
You can still keep your holiday cheer by sending greetings, decorating with lights, and wrapping gifts. Just remember to provide a little cheer for the environment this season, too!
From all of us here at CRS Advanced Technology, we want to wish you a happy holiday season. 2009 was filled with a lot of advancement for CRS - we started the year as CRS Incorporated, transitioned to CRS Advanced Technology and met Maxx, and ended the year by releasing SubFinder 5.9. What will 2010 bring? We are excited for the coming year, and look forward to what lies ahead! For more information about CRS, SubFinder, or our other suite of products, contact us at 800.782.3463.
Happy holidays and Happy New Year!
The CRS Advanced Technology Team
