1. PowerRanger History Game

• Power Rangers History Game- Power Rangers were asked to create questions about the history of the PowerRanger program and write them on the cards provided on the table. The questions were then shared with a nearby table, as a challenge. These questions will be gathered together as a welcoming activity for the next years' Power Rangers.
• Rangers then wrote out "advice" for next years Power Rangers, and were asked to provide feedback on ways to improve the PowerRanger Program.

2. Future of the PowerRanger program

• 51 new Rangers will be added next year.
• Next year will be Sam's last year. A summer curriculum project has been proposed to discuss the future of the program. The intent is that PowerRanger participants will be facilitators and leaders; it will no longer be run by Sam and Charlene. PowerRangers interested in becoming part of the leadership "team" should fill out the Feedback form provided on the link below.

3. PowerRanger Mentoring for next year

• PowerRangers who wish to continue working with a mentor for next year, or to be a mentor for someone specific, are asked to submit their request on the Feedback from provided. Click here to submit your request for either the leadership team or next year's mentoring!

4. End of year check out procedure

• PowerRangers can begin "checking out" on Thursday, May 30, and can sign up for a time through a web-based calendar at: http://www.calsnet.com/prcheckout
  Instructions for entering a check out appointment:
  1. Before you begin, observe and jot down which times are available.
  2. Click on the calendar "date" for your desired check out day.
  3. Enter the user name "power" and password of "ranger" when the screen pops up.
  4. Click the "Create" link near the top of the page, type your name and select a "15 minute time" slot.
  5. Check out times will be from 7:45 am to 5:15 pm daily, except where noted.
• Checking out will include:
  -Visual inspection of computer
  -Check that virus protection is up to date
  -On-Line end of year assessment completed
  -Verify attendance at meetings
  -Norton Spring Tune-Up is optional
  (This may cure software issues and makes things run smoother)
  -Anything you checked out during the year, should be returned.
  

5. Administrivia

• Upgrading: Sam needs to know your intent to upgrade by Friday, May 31. A memo was sent regarding the specifics on the new iBooks. The black laptops may be offered for sale at current market value, with just the original factory-shipped software, or software that we are licensed to install provided. This means that all current files will be wiped off the computer. Special Ed staff working on IEPs will need some type of removable data device.
• Care and Feeding Alert!!
  A recent casualty: When shutting down, a PowerRanger closed the lid of the computer, and did not realize the shut down sequence had not completed. The resulting heat caused the "melting" of some of the keyboard keys, as well as "blowing out" the screen. A word of caution! Please be sure the computer is off (power light goes out) or asleep (power light pulses) before stowing the laptop in the carrying bag.
  Other: it has been reported that some PowerRangers have been seen walking through the halls with the laptops open and some even with cords connected and dangling out. Please take extra care when transporting laptops!! Laptops must be in the closed position, with all "peripherals" disconnected before being moved.
• iBooks with problems: Several additional loaners are available so that iBooks with problems can be sent back this month. Although it may inconvenience teachers to work from a loaner, the repair cost of the iBooks could range between $300-$400. Typical iBook problems include: the CD drawer will not stay shut; the latch on the lid does not keep the screen shut, or in order for the power to work, users must jiggle and mess with the power cord. ANY iBOOKS WITH HARDWARE PROBLEMS WILL NEED TO BE SENT TO APPLE FOR REPAIR by the end of the May! Please contact Charlene if yours needs repair.
• Software updates: There will be a few new versions of software next year for several titles, including an update to AppleWorks. PowerRangers will be responsible for installing the necessary updates. All PowerRangers should install the new version of Making the Grade Software which is in the PowerRanger shared folder. You must copy the entire folder to your Applications folder! Upgrading can easily be done in 2 steps and will NOT affect your current grade files.
  1. Drag the existing Making the Grade icon from the Applications folder to the Trash.
  2. Drag the entire "Making the Grade Mac" folder from the PowerRanger shared folder, into the Applications folder on the Macintosh HD.
  Although not required, it would be a good idea to rebuild your desktop next time you re-boot.

Thanks to those who helped at the meeting: Carolyn Brumund for fetching ice, the projector and assisting with setup and tear down. Mary Finlay and Sean Carney for helping cook and transport the dogs, Sandy Washburn for cleaning up the kitchen. Lori Polin-Silva, Jane Kilby, and Lino Martinez for taking notes. Angela Sacchitello, Beth Sparacino, and Liz Kenney for collecting the finished paperwork.

Reminder:
Did you update your virus protection May 1st?