RETN Newsletter Page 1		Vol. 8 - Feb. Issue 2007
In This Issue: Distance Learning Educator Conference Connect2Texas New RETN Help Desk Technician Schedule-at-a-Glance Important Dates Amon Carter Professional Development Texas Distance Learning Association Conference 2007 Distance Learning Support Contest ________________________ Schedule-at-a-Glance Don't forget the month-at-a-glance calendar of RETN events. See what is going on for students, teachers, administrators, and program providers in Region XI. Click here to access the Calendar of Events. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Important Dates Remember that ESC Region XI will be closed either Friday, April 6 or Monday, April 9 (decision is pending for the bad weather makeup day). Please check the RETN calendar and the ESC Region XI Web site for the scheduled closing date. ___________________________ Each newsletter will announce a contest winner and his or her reward for the RETN District Support Award! February '07 Contest Winner Roy Verges Denton ISD Roy may choose a free program from one of our local providers, or a free dial-out connection to a national provider.	Go to the Connect2Texas Web site and see the latest program offerings. The new content providers are anxious to use their new equipment, and are busy adding programs to the schedule. Many RETN member districts can receive these programs for FREE (click here to see a list of these districts). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ______________________________________________ Amon Carter Professional Development Programs Amon Carter Museum is continuing their delivery of professional development opportunities to teachers in Region XI. "Connecting Literature and Art" and "Framing America: The American Civil War" were presented in December and January. Coming up later in February and in April are "Picturing History Through Art" and "Art Basics," respectively. Many teachers can receive these training and related art materials for FREE! Please encourage your teachers to register for these exciting events, and remember to contact your RETN Site Manager to have your site designated as a receiving site. Click here for a listing of districts that are eligible to receive these events FREE. Click here for more information regarding these events, and to download the registration form.	Distance Learning Educator Conference Education Service Center Region XI October 17, 2007 Fort Worth, TX Make plans now for the 3rd Annual Distance Learning Educator Conference, to be held on October 17, 2007. This is a great way to get new ideas, get new contacts, see the latest and greatest technology solutions, and develop new collaborative relationships. Teachers, administrators, campus technology specialists, and technology directors will all find something here! ______________________________________________ Welcome Pat Schmuck - RETN Help Desk Technician! Pat Schmuck, previously at Watauga Elementary in Birdville ISD, has hit the ground running as the new Distance Learning Technician on the RETN Help Desk. She has been learning all the ins and outs of manning the Help Desk, making connections, troubleshooting and scheduling events on the bridges. With all the new technology to learn, she has had her hands full, but she is fitting in nicely! If you have a need to call the Help Desk, please remember to welcome Pat to the team. RETN Help Desk (817) 740-7616
	http://www.txdla.org/conference/2007 AHOY MATEYS! Look Out on the Horizon! Is it a Ship? No, it's the TxDLA 2007 Annual Conference approaching and the time to join the crew is upon you. Wade in the water and come aboard with those who will be attending to Discover the Treasures of Distance Learning at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX, March 27-29, 2007. Online registration is open for the best distance learning conference in the region and you are encouraged to REGISTER ONLINE NOW!
For more information and to see a listing of programs, events, courses, sites, and the designated Site Manager, visit the RETN Web site. http://www.esc11.net/retn To quickly see events in a month-at-a-glance format, check out the RETN monthly event calendar.
Click here to see past newsletter issues.