SCVi 2013 Projects

We've got a lot on our plate at SCVi over the next year and we could use lots of help!!  We took a pass at listing everything we know and what we think will be needed to accomplish these tasks. Of course, these are only estimates and estimates can be way off, but we at least wanted to get an idea of the relative scale of the different tasks.

• SCVi Admin Trailer has Internet And Phones
• We are expanding into a trailer behind what is currently Higher Vision Church.  We need to pull the Wireless bridge, router, cabling and phones and move it into the trailer. 
• Internet In New High School
• SCVi high school will be moving into the building that is currently Higher Vision Church.  We need to make sure they have Wifi. We may either bridge this from the main school campus, or set up a new provider.   If it is a separate drop, it will also have separate phones and a separate phone system.
• New High School Has Phones
• If we do a wireless bridge, we can tie the new High School into the main SCVi phone system.  If they have separate internet, this will be more difficult. We need to figure out what we will be doing and then make it happen.
• Summer 2013 Classroom Moves
• Every time a classroom is moved we find it takes about 3 hours of labor.  It is expected that several classrooms will move during the Summer of 2013.
• Phone System For iLead
  • A new phone system has been purchased for them.  Someone at iLead will need to install it.
  • Folks involved : Daniel Glen, Matt, Shannon, Lynn Boop, Natasha
  • Estimated Effort : 32 Hours
• ERATE 2013
• We have several bids from different vendors. We need to look at them and determine which will work best for us.
• Increased Internet at SCVi
• Once we choose an ERATE vendor, we need to look at increasing Internet bandwidth at SCVI and what will be involved in that
• iLead Internet Filters
  • We currently use OpenDNS for internet filtering and CIPA compliance at SCVi.   It's always been free,. but the service is being retired so we are going to have to find something else.  We are doing ERATE at  iLead Lancaster so we now need to add filtering for them as well.
    I started looking at a replacement that we can use at both sites.  The direct replacement for OpenDNS is called umbrella,. and it's expensive,. about $4,000 per year!   We are going to be obligated to have something so I don't see a way to avoid having this as a budget item.  There may be some other devices or services that are cheaper, but it sounds like this is an expense we're going to get stuck with one way or another.  
  • Folks Involved : Matt, Shannon
  • Estimated Effort : 16 hours
• Internet For Breezeway
• We purchased an outdoor access point that we believe will provide strong internet for the breezeway and parts of the cafe. However, it appears we got the wrong one.  We can probably make it work, but it will take some time to figure out. 
• Folks Involved : Matt, Shannon
• Estimated Effort : 8 hours
• Estimated Cost $100
• Wireless Network Accounts
  • We want each person on the wireless network to have their own account.  We hope to accomplish this by logging in with our Google ID's.
• Implement Adobe Cloud
• We have purchased 14 Adobe Cloud licenses.  We need to see how these can be use don Island or Apple Laptop Cart machines.
• Tech Ticket Web Site
• We have been using http://www.scvitech.com.  Though, there have been problems with reliability.  What other options do we have?
• All Technology Inventoried
• We need to know exactly what we have at the school.  Every computer, monitor, iPad and network switch should have a property tag and a vital statistics stored.  We should be able to know how many we have a particular type of computer, processor or iPad model.
• School Checkin / Google Intetgration
• We want to be able to send an e-mail to parents that don't have enough volunteer hours.  We are experimenting with google groups to send mail through \  volunteers@scvi-k12.org or  parent.volunteers@scvi-k12.org.
• If you add folks through the Web interface, it sends them an e-mail so we need to write a script that will create the group through GAM.
• The school checkin does not have e-mails so we'll need to merge two different lists in software and use that to generate the google group.
• Also looking at automated ways we can add and delete users from the system based on the school roster.
• JB is looking at backups and upgrades for the system as well.
• Folks Involved : Matt, Shannon, Cheryl Sena, Christine Chane, Ronald Johnson
• Estimated Effort : 12 hours
• Learners Can Checkout Laptops
• We will need to purchase  chrome books, a few Mac Airs and a few ipads for learners to check out and take home for short periods of time.  The computers on the carts need to stay on the carts.
• Paperless Business Office
  • We'd like for Accounting and records to be stored paperlessly. This will mean scanners and backed up reliable storage.  We are currently thinking 3 paper scanners.
  • http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=soho&cs=ussoho1&sku=A5718569&dgc=SS&cid=255160&lid=4522435&acd=12309163088460810
  • http://mashable.com/2010/05/01/small-business-paperless/
  • http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/06/switch-to-paperless-office.html
  • Estimated Cost : $6,000
• Electronic Time Card System
  • We purchased a time card system that will require IT support to get set up and configured. A lot of concerns have been raised as to whether this is a good fit for the school. We want to verify that this is the best option before we invest the work in deployment.
  • Specific concerns have to do with the "Punch In"/"Punch Out" time clock nature of the system since many people work from home and don't want to have to drive in to the school to punch in.
  • Some of the requirements that have been requested:
  • Remote access for folks working from home
  • Web interface to view and edit hours for use on iPad, iPhone, Mac, Linux,. ChromeBook,. etc.
  • Folks Involved : Matt, Ceci, Amber, JB Marsh
  • Estimated Effort : 40 Hours
• Network Documentation
  • We've made a lot of changes to our network over the last few weeks.  We need to document how these changes were made so that  IT staff can maintain these changes.  We need to document the commands and process for the following.
  • Static routes set up for the phone system.
  • Configuration on Ubiquity Dishes
  • Configuration on small Cisco switches.
  • Configuration of switch in 2'nd grade
  • Folks Involved : Matt, Shannon, Daniel Glen
  • Estimated Effort : 24 Hours
  Nightly Ubuntu Update
  • We'd like our Unbutu machines to run our update script every night. This can be done by CRON. Anything we need to do to make sure the machine is in working order should be added to the script.  
  • Folks Involed : JB Marsh, Matt
  • Estimated Effort : 8 hours
• Island Computers
• The tables in the Island need to have computers set up on them.  All the table space should be available for use with computers.  The tables in the middle of the room probably need to be secured for earthquake safety.  We'll probably put the light computers (Mac Minis) in the middle table and Heavy HP 8200 machines along the wall. 
• Folks Involved : JB Marsh, Kay McElvain
• Estimated Effort : 24 Hours
• Deploying Computers To Classrooms
• We have a lot of computers configured in the Island. We'd like to get them deployed to classrooms.  There are some issues that need to be resolved here:
• Network problems in Room 219. They would like 4 computers added.
• Tables in 2'nd grade are too tall for use by learners. Either need new tables or tall stools.
• Folks Involved : Kay McElvain, JB Marsh
• Estimated Effort : 40 Hours
• Phones Cont'd.
• We don't have all our phones up and running yet.  We need to get more phones set up in Maui Wowie as well. This may involve running extra cables in Maui Wowie.  We may also need to add phones to the Cafe.
• Folks Involved : Shannon
• Estimated Effort : 8 hours
• All Printers On The Network
• We have printers in most classrooms. However, not all are on the network.  We'd like all printers to be available for printing wirelessly. 
• Folks Involved: Shannon, Kay McElvain
• Estimated Effort : 24 Hours
• Estimated Cost $300
• Synology - SCVi Cloud Music and Photos
• We have purchased a Synology NAS to use for  picture and movie sharing. 
• Folks Involved : Matt, Shannon, Tad Miller
• Estimated Effort : 40 Hours
• Disney Computer Donations
• Disney will be donating more computers and maybe a cabinet for the server room
• 2014 Computer Purchases
• We may need to buy more Facilitator laptops in 2014.
• Donated Network Equipment
• We have a coule Cisco 4507 Catalyst switches and a Foundry POE switch we could be using for our network.
• Island Comm Closet Spaghetti Mess
• Our comm closet is a disaster!  We need to get wires organized,. maybe add a rack or turn switches around for better access.
• Cable Management / Tidy Byte
• Besides getting computers put into the classroom, we want to make them look good.  Wires should be minimally visible and CPU's should be tucked into places where they don't interfere with hands and feet. 
• Also open up machines and remove dust that has clogged fans.
• Folks Involved : Looking for fresh meat!
• Estimated Effort : 8 Hours
• Music In Hallways
• We'd like music playing in our hallways and we'd like a central PA system that is connected to it.  We should be able to bring learners back from lunch using this system.
• Televisions In Lobby
• We'd like to place televisions around the school. We'd like to stream video content to them.
• 3 at the front door
• 1 at the end of the high school hallway
• 1 outside the Island
• Estimated Cost is  $2,000
• Apple TV's in all Classrooms
• We would like to purchase an Apple TV for every classroom projector
  

Sending Mail From A Google Group

Google groups are a great way to address a group of folks under a single e-mail address.  They can be used for announcements and discussions.   At SCVi Charter School, we use them for two basic purposes.


1) A way to address many users under a single e-mail.Having a group with many users allows you to address many people at once. You don't  have to worry about whether you CC'd or BCC'd them, you simply send to the group and everyone will get it.  It is a very useful way for a Facilitator to address parents or for a a club to addres it's members.
 
2) A way to have multiple people read the same mail accountThere are times when multiple people want to be able to read messages going to a single mail address. They can all be given access to a group where they can read mail sent to the group, or even send mail as though it comes from that address. Since groups allow you to send mail as the group, it is o a way to show a mail as coming from a "generic" address such as "school-mascot@scvi-k12.org". Many folks may read, or send mail from the address, but it always appears to come from the same user.

This posting walks you through sending mail from a group instead of as an individual. This assures that replies go to the entire group instead of just one person. Anyone who is a owner of a group can do this. Here is how it is done.

1)  Go to the group page. 

You can see all your groups at SCVi by going to your groups page.

https://groups.google.com/a/scvi-k12.org/forum/#!myforums

As you can see here, I am currently a member of 4 groups and they are all listed on this page.  You can select the group you want to send mail from.

 2) Start a new topic

Once  you have selected the group you want to read, select "New Topic".

3) Choose to post as the group.

You'll notice that there is a "By" option for who should send the message. You can choose to send on behalf of the name of the group you are reading.

4) Send your message!

Your message will appear to come from the group instead of from an individual. Folks can then log in to the group and continue the discussion.  Here is the discussion I sent. You can see that it shows as being sent from "technology" instead of from myself.

But Wait,. There's more. 

If you have a group that you ALWAYS want ALL messages to show as coming from the group instead of as an individual user, you can set up the group this way.  First go to the Manage section (button in upper right hand corner):

Then under Settings:Email Options set the Post Reply option to "To the entire group."

Setting Up Your iDevice To Read Google Mail

Like many other schools and businesses, SCVi uses Google for Mail and Calendar hosting.  As a school, we get this for free!!  For folks using an iPad, iPod, or iPhone, setting up Google Mail for the first time can be a bit confusing.  These instructions walk you through it step by step.

1.) Click on the "Settings" App Icon

2) Choose Mail, Contacts, Calendars

3) Scroll down and choose "Add Account".

4) Select Microsoft Exchange as the server type.

5) Enter in account information

• Email          : Your First.Last@scvi-k12.org address. 
• Server         : m.google.com
• Domain       : Leave Blank
• Username   : Your SCVi Google Email again
• Password    : The password for your Google Mail
• Description : Put what you would like to see when this shows up in your list of accounts. For example: "SCVi Google".

6) Read your mail!

You should now see your SCVi Google mail listed as an option in your list of accounts.

SCVi's Internet and Phone Service Wiring

This posting explains the physical infrastructure that provides Internet and Phone service to SCVi. It was written to help Staff, Parents, and Voluteers understand SCVi's hard wiring for future troubleshooting or upgrades.

SCVi currently has two internet providers, Telepacific and Fireline Broadband.  Each has different physical infrastructure.

Fireline

Fireline connects to the school through a microwave dish on the roof.  We currently have 10 Megabits of internet service through this connection.

This is powered through a P.O.E injector in the data center.  The P.O.E. injector sends power up to the transceiver that is mounted on the back of the microwave dish to power it.  It is connected with an ethernet connection so that network traffic can be provided to our gateway router.

Overall, they have been a reliable provider.  There have been three times when this connection has gone down.

1. A fire on Mt. Wilson interrupted service. - Fireline let us know and restored things when the fire had cleared.
2. The P.O.E. injector failed.  Fireline's technicians promptly came and replaced it.
3. Config problems at central office. Fireline immediately resolved the issue after we called them and notified them. 

Telepacific

Telepacific connects to the school through the outdoor electrical room. This is the room in back of the school that says "Electrical Room F.A.C.P. Inside" on the door. We currently have 10.5 Megabits of internet service through this connection.

There are 8 different connections that come in to the school. They each have a small control interface locked inside a box.  There are two separate boxes for the 8 interfaces. One box has the voice connection and one data connection. The other box has 6 data connections.

These then travel through a large cable to the communications panel inside the Roof Access electrical room upstairs near the main stairwell.   Note, there are also two POTS lines that run from the outdoor electrical room to specific places in the building. One is being used for the elevator, the other is currently unused.

The 7 data connections are bound together in the data center.  This provides a single output that can then be connected to our gateway router.

The phone line goes to the call manager.

This table summarizes the circuits.

Connection Type	Circuit Number	Purpose
PRI (Phones)	13-HCGS-732952-PT	Provides phone connection for VOIP Phone system
Data 1	13-HCGS-746439-PT	Bonded to form 10.5 Megabit Data connection
Data 2	13-HCGS-792043-PT	"
Data 3	13-HCGS-792044-PT	"
Data 4	13-HCGS-792045-PT	"
Data 5	13-HCGS-792046-PT	"
Data 6	13-HCGS-792047-PT	"
Data 7	13-HCGS-792048-PT	"

Overall, Fireline has also been a  reliable provider.  The only time we lost service was due to a wire being unplugged in the outdoor electrical room. 

Overview

This diagram explains the entire system.

Cisco Router Versions

The PRI connection from Telepacific connects to a Cisco 2821 call manager.  

CVI-CM#show version
Cisco IOS Software, 2800 Software (C2800NM-IPVOICEK9-M), Version 12.4(24)T1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)
Cisco 2821 (revision 53.50) with 196608K/65536K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FTX1022A1X0
2 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
9 Serial interfaces
1 terminal line
1 Channelized/Clear T1/PRI port
2 Voice FXO interfaces
4 Voice FXS interfaces
1 cisco service engine(s)
DRAM configuration is 64 bits wide with parity enabled.
239K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.
250880K bytes of ATA CompactFlash (Read/Write)

The internet connections go into a Cisco 2801 gateway.

 Cisco 2801 (revision 6.0) with 195584K/66560K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FTX1116W1Z1
3 FastEthernet interfaces
1 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Module
DRAM configuration is 64 bits wide with parity disabled.
191K bytes of NVRAM.
62720K bytes of ATA CompactFlash (Read/Write)

SCVi 2012 Summer Technology Projects

Summer is a time to get projects done at SCVi.  There are many projects going on at the school with construction in the building and changes to infrastructure.   This page gives a summary of some of the things we'd like to accomplish this summer.  Accomplishing this ambitious list will require a great deal of help from our staff and parent volunteers.

Project	Description	Why Are We Doing This?	Estimated Effort	Estimated Purchases
New Power For Island [Jana]	Need at least one 220V circuit and 5 Dedicated 20Amp circuits to the Island.  These will have to be pulled from the utility closet at the stairs. At a minimum we need: 220V : Data UPS 20A : Network UPS 20A : Alarm System (Not yet installed) 20A : Data Center Air Conditioning 20A: Data Center network panel. (Telepacific and Fire Line) 20A: Data Center Expansion (Future UPS)	All power to the Island was cut in the construction.  We will not be able to supply internet to the school in the fall with the current power configuration.	Contractor + Permits	$10,000
Wireless Bridge For Cafe [Matt]	Install Aruba iAP-175 outdoor access point. Install switch and wireless bridge in cafe.	We don't have a conduit between the buildings. Price is per bridge.	80 hours	$4,000
Cafe POS System [Dawn/Matt]	Purchase and install a POS system for Cafe.  Purchase three laptops for staff use.	We will have a new cafe to replace the snack shack. POS system needs to be installed before school starts.  Dawn will have a laptop that runs the software and so will her assistant. One backup machine will be kept in the Island.	40 hours	$5400 (System) $2100 (Sony Laptops)
New Cabling For Downstairs [Melissa]	Run network cable and install a switch downstairs.  Install access points. This includes At least two ethernet connections per classroom.  Wireless Access Point Cables  Installation of iAP-175 outdoors.  Phone line run from AT&T Demarc to outside Heath Office.	Entire downstairs was gutted. Needs wiring replaced. Cisco switch from Kindergarten needs to be re-installed.	80 hours	$1,000 (Volunteers Price - Supplies Only)
Google Transition [Matt, Shannon, Jana, Cheryl]	Move to  our scvi-k12.org domain for all  mail, calendar, and groups.  Some Known SubTasks: Organize new calendars [ Cheryl, Jana] Help folks with moving to Gmail [Jana, Shannon]  Create Facilitator/Staff user accounts [Shannon] Create student user accounts Start looking at Google Sites [Jana]	Allows centralized mail, calendar and groups. Same system used at High Tech High, Disney, and  other schools and business.	160 hours	$0
Upgrade phone System [Elaine, Shannon]	Upgrade existing Cisco 2821 with a new Cisco 2851 Some Details: I believe the cisco 2851 is the newer replacement.  It can handle 96 phones where our current one can handle 48. If you look on CDW's web site, there are may different models of Cisco 2851's.  Which is the best one for us?  If we call CDW, will they help us select one?  Cisco 2851 Integrated Services Router Cisco 2851 Voice Bundle (Maybe we want this one?) We will likely need a Cisco professional to help us get it set up, but we want to maintain it after that. We will add and remove users just like we do now.   This is why I budgeted a few thousand extra dollars into the project. We really try to avoid re-curring costs, so be wary of any annual maintenance fees or subscriptions.  We need to clearly know the benefits of any program they try to sell us. Once we find someone who can answer questions, we need to ask these questions: Will the new system come with Voice Mail, or do we need to use our old Voice Mail system? If we have to use our old one, will our old voice mail system work with the new Call manager? Will the new system work with our old phones (7910 and 7960) Are there any other compatibility issues ? We don't currently plan to change anything about our phone service.  Our VOIP connection is supplied by Telepacific and we have 20 DID lines and a few POTS lines. Most of the on-site numbers  only exist in our system.  We just want to upgrade our current system to support more users.	Our current system is ready to crumble and at the maximum number or clients.  We are growing and our needs are increasing.	80 hours	$9,000
Apple Macbook Air Cart [Shannon]	Purchase 30 Mac book Air comptuers and cart. Sticker/ Add to inventory Image hard drives	Laptop cart for Middle School.	24 hours	$30,000
iPad Cart [Shannon]	Purchase 30 iPads and cart. Sticker/ Add to inventory. Resolve any iTunes ID issues	iPad Cart for Grades K-2.	8 hours	$15,000
New Computers [Shannon]	Purchase 20 Mac book Pro comptuers and cart. Sticker/ Add to inventory Image hard drives	New Staff, replacement for existing Staff, replacement for missing student computers and new Mac Minis.	24 Hours	$30,000
Drop Box Replacement [Tad Miller, Matt]	Replace our use of dropbox with a Synology NAS hosted on site. How many accounts can I create? Is there a annual support fee on the enterprise grade stuff (RS212 specifically) What disk can I use. Does it have all the same software supported as the consumer grade stuff? Other questions??	We have filed up our drop boxes and need something better. Synology works on computers and iPhones.   We can host for multiple iLead sites at SCVi.	20 hours	$1,000
Hallway Music	Play classical music in upstairs hallway - Project was stalled due to concerns with doing it properly	Gives a soothing and inspiring atmosphere -	20 hours	$600
PA System For Downstairs	Run speakers through entire downstairs and hook to existing PA system at front desk	This can easily be done why the school is open and we already have the Amp	40 hours	$600
Wired Conduit To Maui Wowie	Run a conduit to Maui Wowie and install a switch and Access Point	We could do a wireless bridge if we prefer, but a conduit might be cheaper in this case.	40 hours	$200
Lobby TV's	Install 4 TV's in the front of the lobby to stream media	Gives a nice presence when you walk in the building	8 hours	$1,500
Top Of Stairs TV's	Two TV's at the landing on the stairs. This will involve running power to this location	Announcements to see as you walk upstairs in the AM	4 Hours + Contractor	$3,000
Hallway TV	TV mounted on wall in new High School area.	Kim Adam would like a TV to show student work in the hallway upstairs. It will constantly stream student artwork projects as an interactive art display	4 hours	$500
Island Projects	Set up new shelving Set up new tables Clean up Accumulated items	We want to make daily life in the Island easier. Make more computers available to students	50 hours	$300
Donated Hardware	Catalog, configure, and deploy donated computers	We have many new donated computers and monitors stockpiled in Storage and the Island. We need to get them in the hands of our learners.	40 hours	$0
Inventory System	All computer hardware and other electronics tracked in inventory	We have a good start, but we need to make progress and get everything in the school stickered and added to inventory.	40 hours	$0
Tech Support Tent Cards	A tent card in classrooms explaining how to contact support	Make it clear to everyone how to get help for technical issues	8 hours	$0
Re-Image Macbook Air Cart [Shannon]	Update our laptop image to latest spec then wipe all the macbook airs to the new image Multiple Accounts New Software additions	Many of the macs were changed and we learned some things during the school year.	20 hours	$0
Broken Macs [Shannon]	Fix broken Macs in Island New Mac Minis White Mac Laptops Macbook Airs Old Mac Minis	We have broken laptops and Mac Minis in the Island. All need to be re-imaged and re-deployed. Some may need hardware upgrades	20 hours	$0
Class Web Sites	Work with teachers to get class web sites organized for start of school.	We will have a combination of different sites, Wix, Google Sites, Facebook, YouTube, etc. Teachers need help getting theset tied in to their EdLine landing page.	80 hours	$0
Matt's Tasks	---	----	---	---
Manage This List	Track progress of tasks on this list	I can't do all of this... I need lots of helpers.  List will probably move into Pivitol Tracker or Trello to track status of tasks.	40 hours	$0
Document Exit Process	Documentation clearly stating what we do when we exit someone	Folks stick around in email and groups. The steps required by IT staff should be clearly documented. Also document other procedures to be followed by IT staff.	8 hours	$0
New Ethernet Switch	Donated Gig-Ethernet backbone switch needs to be investigated and configured	This could greatly improve our internet backbone if we can figure out how to use it	4 hours	$0
SCVi Technology Web Page	A section on the SCVi home page explaining technology Presentations Vision Policies Internet Filtering iPad Program Tech Support Volunteer Opportunities Examples of student work	Communicate our vision and answer basic questions. List opportunities to volunteer.  Show this table so folks can pick up tasks.	20 hours	$0
Other Tech Tasks (Probably Not This Summer)	---	---	---	---
Wii Smart Boards	Try to get Wii Smart Boards Working	This project was stalled in 2011. Can we make it go now?	40 Hours	$0
Volunteer Hour Transparency	Show top volunteers and each person's volunteer status	There is no recognition for folks that volunteer and no reminders for folks that don't. We need to make volnteer hours fully visible so you can see where you stand and so we recognize those that contribute the most	40 hours	$0
iPhone App	App to show latest events and volunteer hours	An easy portal for parents to know what is happening on the school and see their contributions to voluteer hours and family giving	200 Hours	$300

My Little Bro-nies

Something odd happened the other day.  One of my sons started talking about "My Little Pony".  Now, what I remember of My Little Pony was that it was a collection of cartoons and toys targeted at little girls from the 1980's and 1990's. So, it seemed really odd to me that my son would know about it, let alone be interested in it.

 

I decided to investigate a little more.  He said he liked the show and that boys who like My Little Pony are called "Bronies." OK,. What? I remember that show.  What, if anything, could possibly appeal to him?  Turns out, the My Little Pony franchise was rebooted in 2010.  He had never seen the original show and didn't even know it existed.  It's the 2010 reboot that caught his interest.

This time, things were a bit different. They did a much better job of making shows that would appeal to to a larger audience. The stories are more clever and bring in more action, magic, and conflict than the original. Though, this alone still might not have been enough.  What really brought the show home was a small, cameo character named Dr. Whooves.

For those that don't recognize the caricature, this particular pony has a resemblance to actor David Tennant, who portrayed the tenth incarnation of The Doctor in the British science-fiction TV series Doctor Who. My kids are all huge Dr. Who fans. My son even asked to have his hair cut and dyed like actor David Tennant.  The appearance of this character, who just happens to bear his inspiration from their favorite TV character, was all it took to make them willing to start watching the show.  Once they started watching, the show was entertaining enough to hold their interest so they were hooked.  In fact, my son now says that My Little Pony is his second favorite show. (after Dr. Who)

Of course, bringing two long running Television Icons together, it was only a matter of time till the clever You Tube content came into being which gave the show even more appeal.

The creative My Little Pony reboot folks didn't stop with Dr. Who either.  They also have characters or episodes that mimic Indiana Jones, The Terminator, Q From Star Trek, and Spider Man. If you'd like to get a good idea of what the show is like, this particular clip gets a lot of play in my house. It shows you the quality of the animation and music.

If it had not have been for Dr. Whoove's, maybe I wouldn't have any Bro-Nies in my house.  Though, I really don't mind having a Brony or two, so it's OK. 

Understanding WASC Accreditation At SCVi

SCVi is a public Charter School in the northern Santa Clarita Valley.  For the 2011-2012 school year, the school covered grades K-10. The 2012-2013 school year will add 11'th grade and 12'th will be added in  2013-2014 school year.  With the prospect of a senior class graduating in 2014, parents and students want to be assured that the credits they have earned will be honored by the college of their choice.

Since SCVi is a new school, there is quite a bit of confusion about how the learning done at SCVi will be respected at higher learning institutions. Is SCVi accredited for college? Will the classes taken at SCVi carry the same weight as those taken at a traditional public high school?  Who accredits a high school and what is the processes?

In order for classes taken at a high school to be honored by a college, the high school must have accreditation through the Western Association Of Schools (WASC) at the time the first class graduates.  This means SCVi will need to have full accreditation by 2014.  Though, you don't have to have full accreditation at the time the class starts, but you must at least have what is called "candidacy status."

Having "candidacy status" means you have started the process of WASC accreditation and are working towards being fully accredited.  Getting WASC  is not as simple as filling out a few forms and getting a quick response.  It's a multi year process that can take 3-6 years.  For SCVi, we are going with a 3 year accreditation process. This means the process will be completed by 2014.

While this process continues, SCVi has "Candidacy Status'.  This is considered a good thing in the WASC world and credits earned at SCVi will be respected by other high schools.  As this process continues, you can check SCVi's status on the WASC web site.