Summertime in Distance Learning

Hello Everyone,

School is out and kids are running wild!  What to do, what to do? I have a few suggestions for those of you attempting to figure out summertime activities for your children:

1) ACE Adult and Community Education offers Summer 2012 Games, visit www.nisd.net/ace
2)ArtWorks
Parent rating:
Location: 1840 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio, TX

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best artsy class for little kids in San Antonio, ... 3)San Antonio Botanical Garden
Parent rating:
Location: 555 Funston, San Antonio, TX

The San Antonio Botanical Garden brings a hint of green to 33 acres in the center of the city.

4) San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium
Parent rating:
Location: 3903 North St. Mary's Street, San Antonio, TX

The San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium

5)Witte Museum

Parent rating:
Location: 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX

The winner of our 2008 and 2009 Parents' Picks quest to find the best museum in San Antonio, the Witte 

 

Distance Learning will be hosting Summertime free tutoring classes for DL students.

Please call to make an appointment to attend one of the sessions below.

 

Conversation Club (ESOL Students ONLY): June 5th and 19th, 11:00AM-12:00PM

                                                            June 6th and 20th,  6:00PM-7:00PM

Writing Workshop(GED Students ONLY):   June 12th and 26th, 11:00AM-12:00PM

                                                           June 13th and 27th,  6:00PM-7:00PM

 

Distance Learning Summertime HOURS (June 4th through June 29th):

 

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 9:00AM-6:00PM

Thursday;                                     9:00AM-1:00PM

Friday;                                            CLOSED

Saturday;                                       Teacher Availability (by appointment only)

 

NISD Distance Learnig Office will resume Summertime Hours on July 23rd!

Have a wonderful and safe Summer!

 

Margo Hernandez

Distance Learning Supervisor

 

Brighten Your May in Distance Learning

Hello Everyone,

I would like to thank all the students and teachers who have put so much effort into distance learning.  For the student, it is a dedication to their education.  The distance learning student must be an independent learner.  Our DL students are determined to start a brighter future by continuing their education, working collaboratively with their teachers, and using the resources DL has to offer.  The distance learning instructor is equally dedicated.  Your teachers work day and night to make sure you are getting the online instruction and guidance you need to fulfill your educational goals.  Success in DL is a joint effort of both educator and student, whether it be obtaining a job skill, a GED or going on to higher education.  We are dedicated to ensuring that our students reach their educational goals.
This month we will be continuing with our DL Writing Workshop and DL Conversation Club.  Please register with your teacher or the DL instructional assistants if you are interested in attending one of the workshops.  There is limited space, so first come first serve.

May dates to remember:

May 1, 2 - Fast Track GED Testing 9AM-3PM
May 1     - DL Conversation Club Workshop, must register, limited seating, 11:00AM-12PM
May 3     - DL Conversation Club Workshop, must register, limited seating, 6PM-7PM
May 5     - Cinco de Mayo
May 7,8,9- GED Testing, 4:30PM-9:30PM
May 10, 11- Official Practice Test, 9AM-11PM
May 11    - DL closes early, Hours of Operation, 9AM-11:30AM
May 13    - Mother's Day
May 15    - DL Writing Workshop, 11AM-12PM
May 16    - DL Writing Workshop, 6PM-7PM
May 17    - Teacher Appreciation Dinner, DL closes at 4:30PM
May 22    -DL Conversation Club Workshop, must register, limited seating, 11:00AM-12PM
May 23    - DL Conversation Club Workshop, must register, limited seating, 6PM-7PM
May 24    - Student Orientation Workshop, required for New Students ONLY, Session I, 10AM-12PM
                   Student Orientation Workshop, required for New Students ONLY, Session II, 5PM-7PM
May 28   -  DL begins Summertime hours, Monday-Wednesday, 9AM-6PM, Thursday 9AM-1PM
                   DL will be closed Friday and Saturday throughout the summer
May 28   - Memorial Day, DL closed

We hope you have a wonderful May!  If you need to contact us, please feel free to email us:
northsidedl@gmail.com

Margo Hernandez
Supervisor Distance Learning

April 2012, TAX TIME

Hello Everyone,

We are in full Spring Bloom this month. San Antonio had serious rain showers and thunderstorms usher in  the Spring 2012 season, so now we can anticipate lots of bluebonnets and daisies this month.   April is not usually a holiday month, but there are many happenings in 2012:  Easter weekend holiday, taxes are due and  Battle of Flowers Parade.  It is our hope that you find time to enjoy April, but remain focused on your educational goals!

Distance Learning kicked off the Conversation Club and Writing Workshop for DL students last month.  It has been a great success.  DL students are getting the extra help they need, plus they are able to meet and work with other DL students in the program. The Conversation Club and Workshop are on a first come first serve basis, so make your reservation as soon as possible.

April 03  Fast Track GED Testing @ NISD GED Testing Center
April 04  Fast Track GED Testing @ NISD GED Testing Center
April 06  Good Friday, DL Closed
April 07  Easter Weekend, DL Closed
April 10  GED Evening Testing @ NISD GED Testing Center
April 11  GED Evening Testing @ NISD GED Testing Center
April 12  GED Evening Testing @ NISD GED Testing Center
April 14  Teacher Professional Development, DL Closed
April 17   TAX DAY, don't forget to file your Income Tax before midnight!
April 20  Official Practice Test, Bldg. F, 9 AM - 11:00 AM
April 21  Official Practice Test, Bldg. F, 9 AM - 11:00 AM
April 23  GED Testing Center Registration, 10 AM - 4 PM
April 24  GED Testing Center Registration, 10 AM - 3 PM
April 25  GED Testing Center Registration, 10 AM - 3 PM
April 27  Battle of Flowers Parade, DL Closed

We hope you have a wonderful April! We are here for your educational needs and goals!

Margo Hernandez
DL Supervisor

SPRING AROUND THE CORNER

Hello Everyone,


February is now behind us and time to think about new beginnings for Spring 2012!  We had more than 15 GED graduates this Winter.  We are hoping to exceed that number in the next couple of months.  There have been changes in the teaching staff this Winter, which means that many of you now have new instructors for your program.  Our Distance Learning program had four instructors who moved on to fulltime positions, we wish them well and thank each one for their dedication to the program.  This month we will continue with our Conversation Club for DL ESOL students.  The Conversation Club gives our ESOL students an opportunity to practice their oral language skills with peers.  We will also begin a GED Writing Workshop.  The workshop is designed to assist the students with their writing skills while applying them to real life situations.  We have a workshop in the morning and one in the evening.  There is limited seating so please contact your teacher or the DL office for reservations. Dates to remember for Spring 2012:


- Spring Break, office will be closed March 12 - 17
- March 11, Daylight Savings Time begins (spring forward an hour!)
- March 17, St Patricks Day
- March 19, regular office hours resume
- March 20, first day of Spring
- March 20, ESOL Conversation Club, 11 AM - 12 PM, DL Office, Portable 9 (limited seats)
- March 22, ESOL Conversation Club, 6 PM - 7 PM, DL Office, Portable 9 (limited seats)
- March 27, Writing Workshop, 11 AM - 12 PM, DL Office, Portable 9 (limited seats)
- March 29, Writing Workshop, 6 PM - 7 PM. DL Office, Portable 9 (limited seats)


Please visit your Instructors Page for hours of availability.  We look forward to a great and exciting Spring.  Our goal is to help you achieve your goals, whether obtaining a GED, acquiring skills for a new job, acquiring skills for promotion in your present job or getting you into college.  We are here to help you achieve your new beginnings.  Have a fun Spring season.


Margo Hernandez
DL Supervisor

WELCOME TO 2012!

Hello Everyone:  Welcome back!  We hope you had a relaxing vacation. It was a long break but the DL teachers are ready to get you back on track!  Many of you never stopped, and we appreciate the dedication towards reaching your goals.  There is quite a bit of information to share with all of you this month.  Many of the teachers have changed their program assignments.  More than likely, you will have a new teacher this semester. We have had many students inquiring about the time frame for classes, obtaining a GED, registering for the GED and hours for the Distance Learning Program.  So let's get started...
 1. Time frame for classes; As of right now our DL program had funding to last for a minimum of 12 weeks. We will be open our regular hours from February 6th until May 4th. These dates are subject to change, we will keep all our students notified and the blog updated.
2. The hours for Distance Learning will remain the same, Monday through Thursday 9 AM to 7 PM, Fridays and Saturdays 9 AM to 1 PM.
3. Teachers now have the capability to Skype with students.  Please see your teacher to register for a Skype account. All students should have received a Gaggle account upon registration.
4. Obtaining a GED does not have a particular time frame since this is an Adult Education program; it is on an individual basis.  Some of our students complete the program within a couple of months, others take their time.  We are here to accommodate your learning needs regardless of time. Remember, our program has regular classes in the day or evening in case you feel this alternative style of learning will better serve you in reaching your goals.
5. Registering for the GED has stringent requirements by the state.  Please visit the following website for up-to-date information:  http://nisd.net/ace/agedtestingfa11info.htm
6. New phone number for Distance Learning appointments:  210-397-7562
7. Teachers will meet with students as needed through Skype, chat sessions on Gaggle, email correspondence, IM, a few teachers have face time accessibility, text messaging, and/or face to face appointment sessions.
8. Teachers will also be conducting mini-tutoring sessions throughout the semester with 3-4 students at a time.  If you are interested in participating in these sessions, please contact your teacher.

We hope to have a great Spring semester.  Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Margo Hernandez
Supervisor, Distance Learning Program
Northside Adult Education
210-397-8982

Jingle All the Way

Hello Students,

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.  It will soon be Christmas and then year 2012!! How time flies when you are having fun!!  We are fortunate to live in a city that enjoys a colorful holiday season.  The San Antonio Riverwalk is especially gorgeous this time of year.  The San Antonio Symphony will be performing a cheerful Holiday Pop concert.  Incarnate Word has a fabulous display of holiday lights which you can view as you drive through campus.  In San Antonio, everyday is day to celebrate!  Get out and about to enjoy the season...not to mention the phenominal New Year Eves Party held downtown every year!! We realize you will be busy with all the holidays have to offer, but we encourage you to remain delingent and visit your on-line websites. When all the dust settles, your Distance Learning Team of Teachers will be ready to get you back on track! We hope to help you accomplish all your academic wishes and goals this season.



A few dates to remember over the next few weeks:

• December 6th, 7th, and 8th; GED Testing 4:30-9:30PM
• December 13th and 14th; GED Fast Track Testing 9AM -3PM
• December 19th through January 9th; Distance Learning Closed for Holidays
• January 4th and 5th; Registration for ESOL returning students
• January 6th and 7th; Registration for ESOL new students
• January 12th and 14th; Registration for all GED students

Winter Hours for Distance Learning beginning January 10th:

• January 10th and 11th; 9:00AM-6:00PM
• January 17th and 18th; 9:00AM-6:00PM
• January 24th and 25th; 9:00AM-6:00PM
• January 31st and February 1st; 9:00AM-6:00PM

Have a wonderful Holiday and Happy New Year!!




Distance Learning Teachers and Staff

Hello Students, Halloween is upon us, BOO! We have had a busy and successful year so far! Everyone who is ACTIVE in the program has made great progress. Many of our GED students have begun taking their test this month. The ESOL students have shown great progress in learning and acquiring English skills. We have had quite a few obtain jobs and/or move into the GED Program to continue with their English studies. Distance Learning had their first library tour this year at the Northwest Library Branch on October 15th. We are planning our second library tour at the Maverick Public Library on Thursday, October 27th from 7 PM to 8 PM. The library tours build community partnerships to help enhance our students learning experience. The employees at our public libraries are very welcoming and willing to assist our students in all their educational needs. Please join us for our Library Tour Day Day. Keep up with the Distance Learning Blog in order to get the latest information regarding library tours, tutoring dates, and activities happening in Distance Learning. These are some important dates for everyone to remember: October 31, Distance Learning is open until 3 PM November 1st and 2nd, GED Testing Registration (visit website: http://www.nisd.net/ace/agedtestingfa11info.htm ). November 8th, Election Day November 8th to 10th, GED Testing Dates November 18th and 19th, Official Practice Test 9 AM to 11 AM November 21st to November 27th, Thanksgiving Holiday November 28th to 30, GED Testing Registration (visit website: http://www.nisd.net/ace/agedtestingfa11info.htm ). With the Holiday season on us, we at Distance Learning wish you the best!