Google Apps Gmail training dates announced

Whether you prefer to learn in a large group, small group, following written instructions, or watching a video, we have a Google Apps Gmail training session for you!

Written instructions for migrating from GroupWise to Oregon's Google Apps Gmail are now posted at http://sites.google.com/a/oregonsd.net/technology-integration-tool/Home/email?AuthEventSource=SSO

Training sessions for how to use Oregon's Google Apps Gmail, and moving from GroupWise, are now scheduled at all schools. The current list is posted online at http://sites.google.com/a/oregonsd.net/technology-integration-tool/Home/email?AuthEventSource=SSO

More will be added as needed. Large-group trainings are limited to times when labs are available, but we can help with smaller group as requested.

The last day to receive training on Google Apps Gmail, or to receive help migrating your mail, is June 12.

Mail sent to an oregon.k12.wi.us address will arrive in your Oregon Google Apps Gmail Inbox beginning June 18. GroupWise will go away on June 22. If you have not moved your mail and contacts from GroupWise to Google Apps Gmail by June 22, it will be deleted forever.

Getting more spam? It's not just you.

If you see an increase in spam, it's not your imagination. The following report from Postini (we are a customer) tells the story.

Threat Advisory: Spam Volume Increases in First Quarter 
 
Overall spam volume growth in the first quarter of 2009 was the strongest since early 2008. Spam volume temporarily dropped in November 2008 when the McColo web hosting service – allegedly a significant source of spam at that time – was taken offline. However, spammers have rallied since then, with spam increasing an average of 1.2% per day in the first quarter. By comparison, the growth rate of spam volume in Q1 2008 was approximately 1% per day – which, at the time, was a record high.

Data suggests that spammers are adopting new strategies to avoid another takedown of a web hosting service. The recent upward trajectory could indicate that spammers are building botnets that are more robust but send less volume – or that they haven't enabled their botnets to run at full capacity because they're wary of exposing a new ISP as a target.

In the past few weeks we've also seen the return of image spam – mostly in pharmaceutical ad images. Image spam was popular with spammers in 2007 but died out in 2008. It's unusual for spammers to re-use an "old" technique since most filters were perfected to block image spam back in 2007.

But spammers continue to prove their resilience. Whether it's bouncing back from the biggest takedown on record or finding new ways to exploit the ways we communicate for malicious purposes, they're clearly here to stay.

Source: Postini.com Threat Advisory email

Tech Showcase Monday, May 11, 5:30-6:15 PM at Rome Corner Intermediate School

As reported yesterday in the Oregon Observer, the 3rd Annual Tech Showcase will be held prior to the Board meeting on Monday, May 11, beginning at 5:30, in the RCI Commons. Please come support the work of teachers and students by viewing the projects they've been working on this year! It is free and open to the public.

Free electronics recycling this Saturday

If you have been looking for a way to get rid of an old TV or computer, you are in luck.


Dane County is sponsoring a TV and Electronics Recycling Drop Off on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Alliant Energy Center. Items can be dropped off at an area that will be set up in the back parking lot of the Alliant Energy Center.

Full details are available on this flyer (PDF).

Note: This is for personally-owned items only, and only for residents of Dane County.

Board report

Presentation to the Board of Education
April 13, 2009



Direct link

Registration now open for summer professional development classes!

Registration is now open for the Oregon Summer Series of professional development classes! 

Classes are held at various times throughout the summer, so you can take more than one. A variety of exciting options are available, including:

• Literacy and Technology
• Weaving Web 2.0 into the Classroom
• Connections, Collaboration, and Conversations using Digital Tools in an Elementary Classroom
• Intro to Improvisational Writing
• ELL strategies for the mainstream teacher 
  
• Google Apps for Educators

But wait, there's more! Go to http://bit.ly/SummerSeries to browse classes and register online.
All educators are welcome!

Planned phone outage Monday, April 6, 8:30-10:30 AM

The phones at BKE, OHS, OMS, and RCI will be unavailable on Monday from 8:30-10:30 AM.

If you recall that one of our phone switches died a few weeks ago, then you might also recall that we need to replace the spare switch that was installed as an emergency backup. It will be replaced on Monday, April 6, 8:30 - 10:30 AM. During this time, phones at the affected schools will not work. Staff working that day should plan to use cellular phones or the fax line in the main office for emergencies.

Sorry for the inconvenience.