2008 Insomnia Competition

On November 15 at 9:00 a.m. EST, the clock starts ticking.

Apple will post the list of required elements for entries in the 2008 Insomnia Film Festival. Then you and your team will have the next 24 hours to make and upload your 3-minute movie. That's the easy part.

Once your movie's up, you'll need to get everyone you know—and then some—to watch and rate it online. If your movie makes the top 25, you can host a showing at the Apple Retail Store. Your adoring fans can download it from the iTunes Store. And it'll be screened by some big-time industry players: John August, Doug Ellin, Jody Hill, Masi Oka, Jason Bateman, Paul Haggis, Greg Mottola, Barry Sonnenfeld.

Earn the #1 rating from either the public or the pros, and you'll land one of two grand prizes. Everyone on your team will get a MacBook Pro, Final Cut Studio 2, Logic Studio, Shake, and a year's worth of One to One personal training to help you use them. Not a bad trade for one night's sleep.

Register your team now or find out more: http://insomnia.apple.com/home

More from our viewers!

Eagle Eye Sports is growing and expanding into an incredible resource for the students, players, and patrons of O'Neill Public Schools as well as the surrounding communities. The sportsbroadcasting team recently received another kind email following its Oct. 21 Volleyball broadcast which was watched live by over 41 viewers at one time!

Thank you to O'Neill for videoing this live.. I appreciate this as I was unable to attend this game. We had alot of trouble getting it to stay on however whent hey hd technical trouble then it stayed on about ten minutes and then started to cut out again. But who cares we got the best of it and that was great. We are EV Fans and we do appreciate it and the announcer was also very polite and nice to listen to. I tried to give the announcer a hint with the names as that is always funny to listen to as one was my niece and her name is Henseleit pronounced HENS LIGHT Funny how the names are pronounced nothing like they look. HA!!! Thanks again O'Neill Marlene Oelsligle

The next edition of Eagle Eye Sports will be tonight, Oct. 23rd, 2008 as they feature all three games of the O'Neill High School Volleyball Triangular. Catch all the action here:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ohs-live

iPhoto Nonfiction books - authored by O'Neill 8th graders

During the 2007-2008 school year eighth graders took part in a cross-curriculum project in both their science(Mr. Corkle) and English(Mrs. Pongratz) classes. Using MacBooks, eighth graders created a digital iphoto book over a science topic. The students first attended a writing workshop conducted by nonfiction author David Nieves. Then they began researching topics and putting together a nonfiction book for an elementary audience.

At the end of the project the eighth graders each had a digital book to present, and several books were then selected for printing. These books are currently on display in the O’Neill High School Library, and they will be given to the elementary library later this year. Printed books include – Eclipses by Laura Lueninghoener, How Mr. and Mrs. Igny were Formed by Jordan Mauch, Where Does it All Go? by Alexandria Hedlund, Asteroids, Comets, Meteors and Meteorites by Kelsey Appleby, Help Me! Ocean Pollution by Stephanie Nemec, Natural Resources: Resources Can be Conserved and Recycled by Lucas George, Exploring Space: Mission to Mars by Olivia Shoemaker, and Bye Bye Moon? By Kasey E. Hoffman.

21st Century Learning Leadership Institute

O'Neill Public Schools are proud to host an upcoming event sponsored by Apple Computers on December 3-4, 2008. This 21st Century Learning Leadership Institute will showcase the possibilities, potential for learning, and projects already underway at O'Neill Public Schools with our 24/7 Learning Initiative.

The cost of the institute is FREE and registration takes place here:
http://edseminars.apple.com/seminars/event_template.php?eventTemplateID=273

More to come in the upcoming weeks about this exciting event at O'Neill Public Schools.

Thank you note

Dear Mr. Brosz,

For many years I have moved from place to place, school to school. Never, however, have I experienced such kindness and generosity that I have here in O'Neill. The atmosphere alone has changed me. O'Neill Junior-Senior High School is filled with the most unique staff I have ever been fortunate enough to work with, and learn from in any of the multiple schools I have attended. Such a staff has never, in my life, touched my heart, inspired and supported me with their kind words and wonderful personalities. They have gone above and beyond to not only teach me valuable subjects such as math and English, but also teach me valuable life lessons that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Never has a small group of people inspired me to be myself, to never give up, and keep moving forward with my life. True heroes are role models and mentors, people who impact your life in a positive way (yes I did read that in the handbook and thought it would go perfectly with this letter). Every single person that attends or works in your high school is a true hero. Believe it or not, you all have changed my life in a way you could not possibly imagine. I walked out of O'Neill with a true sense of who I am and a spectacular new view upon the world. I believe now that I can do anything I set out to do. They also have helped me see that this world is a terrible and cruel place, but if you look carefully you can find true beauty. O'Neill is one of the world's true beauties, the people and their way of showing kindness to one another and their manners are things I believed had not existed in people anymore.

I come from the East coast, and to tell you the truth people there do not like each other, but being around the people in O'Neill they helped me realize there is still hope for the world to become a better place. Each and every student has such great potential to move forward in their lives. I do believe that their kindness and great potential is partly due to the influences from their teachers as well as their own willingness to accomplish great things. I have never, in all the high schools I have been to, have seen such determination among a single student body. This is exactly why I feel like a new man. Each person I had the pleasure to meet taught me something one way or another. The support they gave me in my time of need is something I wish and hope to be able to repay someday.

You all welcomed me with open arms, and I am eternally great full for that. My only regret is not being able to stay a bit longer. I would graduate with your seniors if I could. I never thought I would become so attached to a school in which I spent only 3 short weeks. In that time I did met people who I know will be life long friends and people who I will never forget.

I know I will never fail to remember the moments I spent here in O'Neill, and that this town has a very special place, the closest to any other, in my heart. I feel like I have succeeded in finding a great new family. My time here has been momentous. It has been a true highlight in my life. I do hope to visit some day soon. Thank you for all the vast experiences and for having me.

-With love, your friend and student,

Pedro

2008-2009 Student Sharing Gallery

We are starting to publish some of the exemplary student projects resulting from OPS's 24/7 Learning Initiative.


This year the projects can be viewed from: http://ops.esu8.org/users/katiemorrow/blog/

While you are there, make sure that you click the Subscribe in iTunes button on the bottom-right. Then, each new media file will automatically be downloaded into your iTunes library when they are posted online.

Last year's Student Sharing Gallery is still active at: http://ops.esu8.org/~katiemorrow/sharing_gallery/Gallery/Gallery.html

Keep up the great digital project work, kids!

Portraits of Learning Digital Photography Contest

Students,
I have seen some AMAZING digital images on your MacBooks and Facebook pages these past few weeks. Whether using picnik, Photoshop, or just a digital camera, there are some of you out there with amazing talent. Have you considered entering a image or two into a photography contest? I have just the opportunity for you. "Portraits of Learning" is an annual digital imagery contest for students sponsored by Technology & Learning. The deadline is this Friday (Oct. 17th). Entering is not a difficult process, but if you need any help at all submitting your photos, just stop by my room or send me an email at mrsmorrow@mac.com. There are some great prizes and if nothing else, some great examples of what can be done by kids with a little creativity and a digital camera.

Contest Website: http://www.techlearning.com/portraits/

The Student Lounge is back!

Under the leadership of senior Brett Rash, the OPS Student Lounge is once again up and running on Angel. Any students, staff, or other Angel users are welcome to enroll in this group and participate in conversations about O'Neill Public School. So, if you are already a member from last year, please start posting your thoughts, and if not, what are you waiting for? Group ID: OPS_studentlounge

Message from Brett:

This is the OHS discussion board, run by Brett Rash. This forum is meant for students to discuss and give their opinions on certain topics and issues. This group was started last year by Daniel Balderson and Ryan Lieb and I am working to bring it back. Feel free to share your opinions with the group discussions in this group. Keep in mind that it is a privilege for me to run this board, and it is also a privilege for you to use it. We encourage you to voice your opinions but please refrain from making inappropriate remarks, and remember that your name is attached to all of your messages. We hope this can be used for both fun and productive purposes, so we hope to see a lot of students contributing, and have fun with it! :)

Comment from an O'Neill student...

I just wanted to share with you a comment made by a student from O'Neill High school this past week. Pedro and his sister, Ivette, were two of our students the past three weeks. They were displaced by the hurricane activities in the Houston area. Anyway, Pedro has been in 15 different schools and told us that this school is by far the best he’s ever been in. He was impressed with the kindness of his teachers and the technology. Thanks for being there for both these students, they seem like great kids and you made their short stay in O’Neill a positive one.

Ten Technologies for the Laptop Classroom

An article entitled "Ten Technologies for Tech-Savvy Teachers to Use in A Laptop/Tablet Classroom" can be read here:
http://techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=196605456&page=4

A new entertainment podcast created by students

If you would like a good laugh or two or three, be sure to listen to Creston and Alyssa's new podcast with adventures in time travel and more.

http://ops.esu8.org/users/alyssasobotka/

Click on the "Subscribe in iTunes" button to never miss an episode. Better yet, create your own "Soundeffect Story" or even an informational podcast, and Mrs. Morrow will show you how post your creative productions to our podcast server.

Mrs. Morrow shares an update to all 24/7 Learners

Some important information for EVERYONE with a laptop at O'Neill Public Schools.

Email from our Viewers

Email from a viewer following the Ustream live play-by-play action on Eagle Eye Sports by Cody B. and Jesse A. on Oct. 3, 2008:

"We are watching the Crofton vs. O'Neill Football game from Delmont, SD. I use to teach at Crofton a few years ago and then moved away after getting married. I have kept in touch with the staff and students from Crofton and the head coach from Crofton let me know of this live game feed. It is especially great to keep in touch with the students - thank you for offering this chance to watch them live!

The two gentlemen that were announcing the game did a great job - no nonsense reporting! They did a great job being impartial and enjoyed a great play, no matter which team perfomed it. Fabulous job!!! They were quite entertaining and we look forward to watching this type of game via internet again. Keep up the great job and wonderful idea for those that cannot travel to every game. SUPERB!!!"

from Donna Bitterman
dbittersoul@yahoo.com

Maximizing your MacBook's Potential

"I have NOTHING to do!"
Those are dreaded words in a 24/7 Learning environment. With a MacBook at your fingertips, you have access to hundreds of educational opportunities that are just begging to be utilized. Here are 10 favorites to get you started. Please add comments of any other things to do with your MacBook to enrich your learning "when you're through."

10 Things to Do "When You're Through"
(Maximizing your MacBook's Potential) pdf document