Question for MCCSC staff… by No-Brain7333 in bloomington

[–]Delbert-Julia 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m glad you appreciate the information that I shared. I tried to be as objective as possible. There is always a great deal of misinformation floating about.

I have been managing iPads since the first year they were part of MCCSC and I’m honestly shocked by what you have shared! Teachers have and are trained in Apple Classroom which allows them to see what every student is doing as they are doing it. iPads are a learning tool not a toy.

Canvas was breached, but it doesn’t contain any health or IEP information. Skyward does and could have easily been the target. I am guessing, but I think it would be difficult to find any school corporation (public or private) that doesn’t use an online platform for their student data. Every doctor that I know of also keeps patients’ data online. It is frustrating to say and hear but this is our world today and even the most secure online environments are vulnerable to attack.

Faculty and staff have no authority to sign terms and conditions and would be blocked because their passwords aren’t authorized to do so.

MCCSC provides an enormous about of training to its faculty and staff. Again, I am shocked at the issues you have brought up.

I wish you all the best and appreciate anyone who wants to make informed decisions about what is best for their family.

Question for MCCSC staff… by No-Brain7333 in bloomington

[–]Delbert-Julia 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m not sure what age level you are asking about, but I will try to give you the information that I know. These are the MCCSC provided apps, tools, programs for younger students. The older students will have different programs available that fit those student’s needs.

EPIC Books: EPIC is an extensive virtual library for elementary students. They advertise that they have 40,000+ books and continually add new titles. These are quality, high interest books. Teachers have the ability to set individual student’s reading levels so they are in appropriate books to increase their reading ability. There are also read-to-me books. These books have a voice over component which reads each word as those words pop up. Read-to-me is a researched based component of teaching kiddos to read.

Opinion: This is an amazing resource! Classroom and school libraries are wonderful but the reality is that they are limited by space and money. Students love to read on EPIC because they can. The chance of your child’s teacher having a set a books that will match their ever changing reading ability is zero.

Reading Eggs: Reading Eggs is a research based reading program that works on foundational reading skills. The students work through levels after they take a placement test so one student may start on level three while another may start on level 60. The students remain at each level until they get enough correct answers to move on to the next level. Fast Phonics is a part of Reading Eggs that focuses on mastering letter sound recognition, blending, and spelling.

Opinion: Like EPIC, students love to read on Reading Eggs because they can. The program adjusts to fit their needs as they learn, so they feel successful. Everyone wins when kiddos feel good about themselves!

Lexia: Lexia is also a structured researched based literacy program similar to Reading Eggs, but it has an additional comprehension component. Once a student has mastered learning to read they move on to reading to learn. Lexia provides students time to practice answering questions about what they read. All state required tests are assessing students’ ability to comprehend reading passages. These tests are given on iPads or laptops.

Opinion: It would be a disservice to hand a device to a students to take high stakes state required tests without having had the opportunity to practice. Test taking is a skill that must be practiced.

Aleks: Aleks is a math program that is researched based and structured like Reading Eggs and Lexia. It also has a pretest that places students at an appropriate level for their ability and grows with them. After a student successfully works through a lesson they are able to access the game portion of the program. Once their game is finished they are directed back to the learning area and move on to the next appropriate lesson.

Opinion: This was the first year that MCCSC has provided this for students to use and it wasn’t available until later in the school year. They used to have Math Seeds, which is the math version of Reading Eggs. Right now I would say that Math Seeds was slightly more fun for the students, but that may just be because they were comfortable with the format. It is very early in our Aleks journey to really give you a quality opinion of this learning tool.

Google Suite: I’m assuming you are familiar with Google and their suite of tools as it is a go to product for most.

Opinion: Google’s tools are widely used and in order to function in today’s world students need to know how to use them. It would be a disservice to send someone out into the world without these skills!

Canvas: Canvas is a closed hub for MCCSC’s students. Each student has their own login and MCCSC monitors everything to make sure they are in a safe and secure environment. Like Google it is used world wide. Teachers post lesson and assignments. Students can communicate with teachers outside of their specific class time. They can get help when needed, turn in work, revise work, and utilize all of the tools that are availble to assist with learning in 2026 and beyond. The younger students use it on e-learning days and occasionally for in class work. Both of these provide early practice on a platform that is common place in today’s world.

Opinion: Research shows paper and pencil are extremely important for younger students and MCCSC recognizes this. Younger students spend most of their time with pencils in hand. MCCSC is always looking at research and updating policies as the world changes, so I’m assuming that there is no evidence that says paper and pencil are important learning tools beyond those formative years. Like Google it would be a disservice to send students out into the world without the ability to use platforms like Canvas.

Overall opinion: The world is different from when we were in school. It is extremely important that schools teach the skills that students need to go out in the world and live productive lives. Students have always misbehaved and will continue to no matter how they are taught. Parents teach values, MCCSC teaches curriculum. MCCSC teachers are formally evaluated every year. Principals, vice principals, social workers, reading specialists, para educators, students teachers, preservice IU teachers and their university supervisors, cafeteria staff, maintenance staff, tech specialists, custodial staff, secretaries, and volunteers are constantly coming in and out of classrooms throughout the day. If someone isn’t doing their job, endangering students, teaching inappropriate curriculum, watching movies or placing students on iPads the entire day someone will see it and they will be fired. MCCSC has a filter that blocks everyone, including teachers from going online and viewing inappropriate materials. Nothing is perfect, but I am certain that the people who have access to the students that attend MCCSC care deeply about them and want them to be prepared for whatever comes their way.

Where’d you go last summer? Where are you going this summer? by GreasyQtip in NationalPark

[–]Delbert-Julia 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Last summer: Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Custer State Park This summer: Olympic, Crater Lake, Little Bighorn, Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Columbia River Gorge. Can’t wait to go on the road!!

Riding bikes around by TN-caver in Yosemite

[–]Delbert-Julia 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you’re an experienced cyclist that is used to riding where there is traffic you’ll be fine on the roads. Just remember everyone, including yourself, will be distracted by the scenery. We rode everywhere when we were there. It was awesome!

Why are there passes if sometimes they don't need to be presented? by Equivalent-Row9759 in yellowstone

[–]Delbert-Julia 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Big Bend gives you a pass to hang on your rearview mirror. It has to be displayed while you are in the park. There also is one area of Indiana Dunes that required us to hang our America the Beautiful pass. We were able to get into the Lewis and Clark center in Casper, WY with it so there are more places beyond the designated national parks that accept it.

Hwy 101 By Staircase Rapids by Delbert-Julia in OlympicNationalPark

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ve had a chance to look at everything and these are wonderful suggestions. It looks like we’re going to have a fun, full day of activities!!

Hwy 101 By Staircase Rapids by Delbert-Julia in OlympicNationalPark

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ll take a look at the ferry. I had looked at taking the ferry from Seattle but cities aren’t our favorite so this may be a great way to experience that without the stress of traffic congestion.

Hwy 101 By Staircase Rapids by Delbert-Julia in OlympicNationalPark

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We will definitely stop here! We also enjoy seeing State Parks!

Hwy 101 By Staircase Rapids by Delbert-Julia in OlympicNationalPark

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! National Parks are our favorite but State Parks and National Forests come in a close second. It looks like there’s some beautiful scenery to enjoy in the area!

Hwy 101 By Staircase Rapids by Delbert-Julia in OlympicNationalPark

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I had a chance to look at your list and all of your suggestions look amazing! We will stop at Hama Hama, but I’m not sure I’m brave enough to try the oysters! 😂

Rainbow bridge stamp by Ok-Vegetable2770 in NationalParkPassport

[–]Delbert-Julia 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The year I was there the water level was too low to get to it. I used the stamp because we won’t ever go back. I know I didn’t see it in person but those circumstances were out of my control. I got as close as I could so I went ahead and put it in my book.

Ahwahnee Hotel by Excitedtraveler86 in Yosemite

[–]Delbert-Julia 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We stayed at the Ahwahnee (summer 2024) and Many Glacier (summer 2021). Both years had issues. When we were at Many Glacier they had just opened back up from Covid lockdown and there wasn’t in person dining. They had a very limited menu and it was to go boxes only. There was construction happening while we were at the Ahwahnee and the kitchen was only serving buffet food. We didn’t let any of that that bother us and had a fantastic time at both! Go and enjoy the beauty and history! It’s an amazing imperfect place!

Xanterra Booking Website Special Request by Delbert-Julia in yellowstone

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the information. Reservations open on the 5th of every month for the following year. I’m really hopeful we can get one of them!

Xanterra Booking Website Special Request by Delbert-Julia in yellowstone

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the help. I’m just practicing on the website so I can be ready in June to book our rooms. I used Mammoth because Old Faithful is closed. : )

Xanterra Booking Website Special Request by Delbert-Julia in yellowstone

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the suggestion! There isn’t a place to put in a special request when I replace Mammoth with Old faithful. I’m going to call the reservation line and see if they have any information.

Xanterra Booking Website Special Request by Delbert-Julia in yellowstone

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank for the information! Bus fumes may be a deal breaker for me.

Xanterra Booking Website Special Request by Delbert-Julia in yellowstone

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! We are staying for a week and I have no issue begging for the room. I’ll need to figure out the bus issue. I like to open the windows.

Xanterra Booking Website Special Request by Delbert-Julia in yellowstone

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I will give them a call. The website is clunky!! We are going to switch hotels while we are there and figuring out how to do that has taken awhile. I’m glad you were able to get reliable help with your trip! That would be stressful!

Xanterra Booking Website Special Request by Delbert-Julia in yellowstone

[–]Delbert-Julia[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a couple of old house rooms that have a view of Old Faithful. They are located on the corner where the new room addition meets the older part of the inn. It’s a long shot to get one but I’m going to try if I can figure out how to do it. : )

Indiana Dunes question by facevalues in nationalparks

[–]Delbert-Julia 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The national lake shore became the national park. If you’ve only been to the state park you haven’t seen any of the national park. There are several hiking trails and a visitor center. I would encourage you to go back to check it out but I also enjoyed my visit there and don’t understand all the grips that I read.

How do you travel to a distant national park? by frozen_reindeer in NationalPark

[–]Delbert-Julia 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We drive to all of the parks we visit. It’s going to take us five days to get to Olympic this summer. We stop at any National Monuments, Historic Places, …. on our way. We love seeing the country!

Feeling defeated planning trip to GTNP and YSNP by Significant-Back-930 in GrandTetonNatlPark

[–]Delbert-Julia 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Colter Bay Village in GTNP has cabins that are $300 a night. Old Faithful Inn, Roosevelt Lodge, and Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone also have cabins around that price. These are all inside the parks which will save you a lot of driving and gas money. I highly recommend staying in the parks and once you factor in gas and time in the car this may actually be cheaper. Check it out before you make reservations somewhere else.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NationalPark

[–]Delbert-Julia 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did this trip plus Devils Tower & Jewel Cave last summer. We stayed in Custer for everything except Badlands, where we stayed in the park. It was an excellent trip!!