Weekend Update: October 11, 2013

First of all, Good Luck to all our Elk teams and organizations this weekend.

The Marching Band is marching today at Sioux Valley.
The Football team is playing tonight at Colman-Egan.
The Volleyball team is playing tomorrow at the Chester Classic.

Go Elks!

Reminder that there will be NO SCHOOL this coming Monday, October 14th for Native American Day.

Cross Country will participate in the Region meet this coming Wednesday in Howard.  Good Luck to all the athletes and parents involved.  Both the Head Coach and the Volunteer Assistant are excited to continue the excellent season.

Nate Wolters in Sioux Falls.

Last night, former SDSU Jackrabbit standout, Nate Wolters, played in the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD for the Milwaukee Bucks.  Wolters got a "ceremonial" start for the game, and acquitted himself well, scoring 10 points.  For more info, see Argus Leader writer Terry Vandrovec's Excellent Coverage.



Did anyone see the PBS Frontline Special "League of Denial"?  It aired on Tuesday, and I watched it (streaming and online) on Wednesday evening.  Really shocking information on there, and it really makes you stop and think what the future of football is.  If you are interested, it is available for online streaming for free, just click on this link.

As far as weekend plans go... the Harmings will be painting some bedrooms.  If anyone is interested in coming over and grabbing a brush or roller, you are more than welcome!  :)

The rest of the weekend?  Well the SDSU Jackrabbits will be traveling to Macomb, Illinois to take on the Leathernecks in Football action.  The Jackrabbits need a win, in a big way.  Got to end the 3 game losing streak.

Go Big.  Go Blue.  Go Jacks!

Go Bolts!

The Chargers don't play until Monday night this week.  Taking on the Colts.  The way the two teams have been playing this year, it looks like it could be a tough one for the Lightning Bolts.  But, I'll keep cheering anyway.




For the Friday Video.... Next Week Pearl Jam is releasing their new album, so here is one of the songs from that....

Enjoy, "Sirens"

Weekend Update for September 6th, 2013

Well, it's been another busy week in the Technology Office.

The new machines for Roland Colony are almost completed (I am working on the last one, right now).

The Smarter Balance Technology Readiness Tool is completed.  This is something all schools in SD have to complete as the testing moves to online this year.  It was actually quite a lengthy process and complicated...took me a long time to get it figured out.

We've had a few staff computers with some issues, I've been able to solve most of them so far, although there are a few still giving me some trouble.

The images for all the student machines have been updated for duplication.  There are a few students who had trouble with their machines in the first couple days who were issued loaners...Their machines are being imaged as I type this.

Chromebooks are off and running with grades 5-8.  All students 5-8 have learned how to log in to the network, and into their chromebooks with their state e-mail credentials.  This is really going to benefit them down the road, especially judging by the number of Freshmen who are struggling with their logins and passwords already... they were used to just logging in with the general "student" credentials...the younger students are developing skills at an earlier age.

Completed the 2nd School Podcast yesterday... that link is available HERE.  These have been pretty fun to do, and really...now that I have the program set up, and the intro and outtro music done...they don't take very long to put together.  I have also been in talks with Mr. Farnham about his communications class doing their own podcast... a student version, I guess you would call it.  Still working out the details, but that could be a really cool opportunity for our students

The WEEKEND:

Good Luck to the Elk Football Team tonight as they take on the O-R-R Raiders in Rutland.

Go Elks!

First Cross Country Meet of the season tomorrow at White.  I'm excited to see what the Elks and Lady Elks can do.  Could be the start of a special season.

Saturday afternoon the SDSU Jackrabbits Football team will take the field against the University of North Dakota.  The game will be broadcast on Midco Sports Net and Fox College Sports Pacific.

Go Big, Go Blue, Go Jacks!

Sunday, the NFL season kicks off for most of the teams.  Hope it is a fun and exciting season for all the fans.

Today's Friday Video is from 3 Doors Down... Enjoy "Kryptonite"!

August 23, 2013 Weekend Update!

Since Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers are now both going to be gone from SNL, I should probably find another picture.

Wow!  What a week it has been!

I was joking with a few staff members yesterday that if you struggled with making friends as a teenage, you should become a Technology Director at a school, because the first week or so...you'll never be more popular in your entire life!

I great majority of the student netbooks have been issued.  There are a few that have not, for various reasons, but most of the students should be good to go for the year.

We had an issue early on with the Forticlient software blocking all websites, however I believe we have this issue resolved.

Anyone who needs a website opened up through the Fortinet Firewall should contact me.  If it's for a legitimate educational purpose, I can't see why we can't open it up.

Next week, I'll continue to work on getting staff all the things they need .... there are a few things that need to be done for a few staff members.

Don't know if you've checked out the School's webpage lately...but I put a very short little video of our Elkton Fall Sports Athletes in action.  You should check it out...please use Windows Media Player to watch the video.

Also hoping to record a conversation with our coaches next week, and put the files into a podcast.  Of course that is only time permitting, but something I'd really like to get done.

For today's Friday Video...thought I'd go with something different than the usual stuff.

I heard this guy a couple days ago on the Adam Carolla Podcast, and he was really good.  So I thought I'd include this video here, enjoy "The White Buffalo"...

Weekend Update: March 22nd

Well, the dream run for the Jackrabbits Men's basketball team ended last night with a loss to Michigan in the NCAA tournament.  The loss ended the careers of both Nate Wolters and Tony Fiegen.  While it is sad to see their time with the Jackrabbits end, it's important to recognize their accomplishments.  Two straight Conference Tournament Championships, 2 straight NCAA Tournament births, and a school record for most wins in a 2 year period.  They help raised the program up from a difficult transition from Division II athletics.

However, not all is lost in Jackrabbit Land... The Womens Basketball team still has a chance.  They will play in their 5th straight NCAA Tournament tomorrow against South Carolina.  Good Luck to Coach AJ and staff, and the ladies as they look to upset the Gamecocks.

Go Big, Go Blue, Go Jacks!

Elkton will be holding it's annual Prom this weekend, and I certainly hope everyone has an enjoyable time.

Not much else on the weekend agenda, other than watching the NCAA tournament.  Hope everyone has a safe and restful weekend!

With Prom coming up, I thought today's Friday Video should channel something in that vein.

Enjoy OMD's "If You Leave" from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack.

Weekend Update! March 1st...

Started the Weekend off with a really good night on Thursday Night!

1. I got a 30 minute "Tempo" Running Workout in.
2. I was able to give M and M a haircut, which was long, long, overdue.
3. The Jackrabbits Won, and clinched their first outright Summit League regular season title!
4. The Tarheels Won!
5. Duke Lost!
6. Coach K was upset about Virginia storming the court.
7. The Lakers Won!

We just need the Elks to win tonight, and it will be a perfect couple of days!  

Go Elks!

Today's Friday Video is posted with the Elks game tonight in mind!  

Enjoy Muse..... Let's have a bit of an Uprising tonight in the Elmen Center.

Good Luck tonight Fellas!

Also just for fun... a great photo of Coach K from last night, that I must share.

Serendipity?

Weekend Update

Welcome to another addition of weekend update.

North Lab

This week the Tech office was super busy.  I am continuing to work on the North Lab in the school, making sure that each machine in there is being used and treated properly.  I have found many of these computers that have had changes made to the desktop over the week.

Other things that students are doing to the computers include:

1. Changing the background image or wallpaper
2. Students are adding "shortcuts" to the desktop.
3. "Pinning" programs to the task bar, so they stay up and running.
4. Changing the size of the icons on the desktop.
5. Changing the resolution of the screen.
6. Changing the size of the display
7. Changing the mouse (or pointer)
8. Changing the color of the windows (Pink and Black seem to be the favorites).
9. Moving icons on the desktop around.
10. And general mischief... mouse unplugged, keyboard unplugged, etc, etc...

Please keep in mind, and remind your students, all of them, that the North Lab computers are for the use of all students... Particularly those that don't get their own netbooks (Grades K-8).  The computers in the lab should not be "personalized" for individual students, as the computer is not set up for one person, but the use of all.

The more settings and/or changes made to the computers can lead to problems down the road.  I would like to see the number of programs on the desktop and/or taskbar minimized.  The more programs that are on there, the more RAM is being dedicated to have those programs "ready to run".  While I know it is common practice to have your commonly used programs on your desktop with a shortcut, the LAB is not a personal computer... we'd like to keep it "streamlined" so that everyone sees the same screen.

Two easy ways to ensure that the lab is being used correctly:

1.  Do NOT send students to work in there, unless they are being supervised.  (I chased two JH kids out there again this morning).

2.  When supervising watch your students... are they working on their programs, or are they changing the screen resolution?  Are all of the keyboards still plugged into the machines?  

Mobile Lab

In addition to the North Lab, I focused on getting some more computers ready for the Mobile Lab.  We had 20 in there, earlier... but #20 died, and a few others have started to show some problems (there's one that has a sticky keyboard, and another that has a noisy fan).  I worked on getting a few more in there, so that we can have the lab filled, and then remove the problem ones, and see if we can get them running, as well.

I know that having a lab that will work consistently, each time you use it is the number one goal.  I am hoping that the changes we have made to the lab, and to the machines, will help us.

Weekend!

Not a great deal planned this coming weekend, the 3rd and 4th grade boys will have their final BB game tomorrow at Deubrook.  Good Luck boys!  (It has been a joy and a pleasure to help these guys this year)

Saturday Night the SDSU Jackrabbits will be on espn2 facing Murray State in the annual "Bracketbusters" challenge.  Should be good exposure, but I hope we get a little better end result than the last game on espn2. (Game vs Alabama, that they lost on a last second shot).

Otherwise, some household duties, a few maintenance issues, and a few good runs (hopefully outside) to look forward to.

For the Friday Video, enjoy a little Black Keys "Tighten Up"

Have a great weekend everyone!

Weekend Update: Feb. 8th-10th

In case you missed it ... Last Night South Dakota State University's Nate Wolters exploded for 53 points in a Summit League conference game at IPFW.

Nate Wolters - National Celebrity?

SDSU beat writer Terry Vandrovec has a host of links on his blog.

One of the coolest things about this is waking up in the morning, and turning on Sportscenter and seeing the accomplishments of a Jackrabbit on the "Scroll" at the bottom of the screen.  But having his own highlight package, is pretty cool too.

53 points for Jackrabbit?  Sounds interesting.

And another thing to add... seeing your school have a headline on espn.com college basketball page, is also pretty nifty.

I'm sure USD graduates can't wait until they get a player and/or team that can do something like this.  Don't hold your breath, coyote fans... however, if you'd gone Division I when you were supposed to, maybe you'd be at the point where you could have a super star too.  (I kid, I kid)

Weekend Update

Tonight the Lady Elks will be hosting the Arlington Cardinals in Girls Basketball action at Lake Benton... Go Elks!

Tomorrow, the Elkton Boys JV team will host a JV tournament in Elkton.  Good Luck to Coach Leuning and the JV Elks!

Also on Saturday, the Jackrabbit Mens basketball team will face off with Oakland, Michigan, and the Lady Jackrabbits will host Oakland.

Sunday will be a day of rest and recovery in the Harming household... Hope everyone has a great weekend!

For the Friday video, let's listen to some Loverboy... in honor of Nate Wolters game last night.

Weekend Update: Super Bowl

The Return of the Weekend Update!  (It's been awhile)

Certainly has been a cold couple of days, with no school yesterday, and a late start today.  On the bright side, it is supposed to start warming up throughout the day, and through this Sunday.

Congratulations to the SDSU Jackrabbits for their decisive victory over the USD Coyotes last night in Men's Basketball.  The victory was the Jackrabbits 27th straight Victory at Frost Arena (tying a school record).

Opponents have learned to "Fear the Frost".

Tonight we have a double header basketball games with Lake Preston at Elkton.
Schedule is as follows:

North Gym:
4:00  JH Girls
5:00  JV Girls
South Gym:
4:00 JH Boys
5:00 JV Boys
6:30 Varsity Girls
??    Varsity Boys (following Varsity girls)

Go Elks and Lady Elks!

Weekend:
I will be coaching and my son will be playing in the "C" Team Tournament in White Saturday.  Daughter and wife will be attending "Junior Day" at South Dakota State University.

After the Tournament, I will be attending the SDSU vs UMKC Mens basketball game at Frost Arena.  With a win, the Jackrabbits will break the school record for most consecutive wins at home.  Should be a good time.

Sunday is Super Bowl XLVII featuring the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers.  Personally, I don't care who wins, but I always enjoy watching the game, and soaking in all the "Hype" that surrounds the event.

The Friday Video:  Enjoy... a little R. E. M.

Weekend Update! and the Friday Video

Congratulations to the Lady Elks for pulling out their first win of the season last night at Colman!  They had to overcome a 4th quarter deficit, and go to overtime, but they were able to persevere and come out with a victory.

Best of Luck to Coaches Erickson, Luenig, and the Elks Boys basketball team as they travel to Colman tonight, to take on the C-E Hawks, in their season opener.

Weekend plans:

JV Basketball tournament in Lake Preston tomorrow.  Lady Elks first game is at 10 am against Duebrook.

Other than that.... not much going on this weekend.

Today's Friday Video... enjoy Men Without Hats

Also... if you're in the mood, thought you may enjoy this "breakdown" of this video from Grantland.com, it's quite hilarious.

Go State! Go State!

(I took this title from the "Pride of the Dakotas" marching band, who used to chant "Go State! Go State!" before their performances)

(although I know this doesn't make alot of sense, because this week the Jackrabbits take on the North Dakota State Bison... they are also State, but I digress)

Did you hear that there's a football game this weekend?

Well, that's my weekend update.  Jackrabbits.  Bison.  I'm watching.  

That's it.  

NDSU Round 2 Preview from South Dakota State Football on Vimeo.

Really looking forward to the game tomorrow.  Two very good, solid football teams, with a rivalry built on mutual respect, facing off in the playoffs.

The only thing wrong with it, is why are these two teams playing each other in round 2?  The selection committee really kind of shot themselves in the foot.  Particularly if this game is another knockdown, drag em out, hit you in the face, one possession game... and then the Bison (or Jacks, but more realistically, the Bison...they are #1 for a reason)... run through the rest of the playoff field without being challenged.

No matter the result, I'm very proud to call myself a fan of this particular Jackrabbits team.  They have been very fun to watch, and really epitomize the "team" aspect of football, especially on the defensive side.  No real stars on this defense, and yet they are a top ten unit in the nation.

I hope Brock Jensen looks like this Tomorrow!

Nov. 2nd: Weekend Update and video

First off, Congratulations to the Lady Elks Volleyball team for their win over Madison last night!

District 5A Champions!  Great job Ladies!

Technology office was busy again this week.  Have many computer coming back from having screen repairs, and I'm busy with many projects and problem solving items (like a few projectors, school photo software, troubles with the Apple computers connecting)

Weekend:
-Sounds like the Harming family is making a trip out to the Missouri River this weekend.
- The SDSU Jackrabbits will play a critical game against the So. Illinois Salukis, in Missouri Valley Conference Football play.  A win this weekend, sets the Jackrabbits up for a playoff appearance.
-The San Diego Chargers will not play this weekend, because they had the Thursday Night game last night, and whooped up on the Chiefs 31-13.

Hope Everyone had a great Halloween, and has a wonderful first weekend in November!

For today's Friday Video, let's turn to Franz Ferdinand.

Enjoy:  "Take Me Out"

Friday, Oct 19th: Weekend Update

Cold, rainy, windy, blustery day out there again.

And now, for the Weekend Update.

Good Luck to Justin and Heidi tomorrow at the State CC Meet in Huron.  Go Elks.

Today I will be installing the projectors in grades K-3.  I hope to finish them all today.  If I do not, I may come in for a few hours this weekend, as I want this project finished.

We have returned several computers to Acer for screen repairs already this school year.  Students, please try to take care of your netbooks... use the shoulder strap bag you were provided, and do not throw them around.  Most, if not all, of the cracked screens so far have come from simple carelessness.

I watched last Tuesday's presidential debate while having Twitter open.  That was a whole new world.  I don't think I've ever enjoyed a debate as much.  Of course, I "follow" a number of comedians, and they spend most of their time cracking jokes and making fun of the candidates.

Next Monday is the third and final debate... if you plan on watching, take my advice and follow on twitter as well... very entertaining.

For the weekend, the SDSU Jackrabbits are traveling to face the Northern Iowa Panthers this weekend.  Huge game for the Rabbits, and not an easy opponent.

Otherwise, not a large agenda on the plate of the Harming family.  I'm sure we'll continue to do some things with our new home, and get a bit more squared away.

Today's friday video is from Pearl Jam

Enjoy:  Just Breathe

Friday, Oct. 12: Weekend Update

Congratulations to Justin and Heidi, as they qualified for the State CC meet yesterday.  It was windy and cold conditions in Flandreau yesterday.... proud of all the CC runners.

Good Luck to the Elk football team tonight as they host the Estelline Redmen.

I have the library's computers loaded, and should be putting them in today.  Will be able to start loading the computers for Roland colony soon.

I am planning on installing the projectors next week in Grades K-3.  Hopefully this goes smoothly.

Boys BB Coach Steve Erickson and I have been in discussions about 3rd and 4th grade boys basketball.  Keep your eyes peeled.

This weekend the South Dakota State Jackrabbits host the Western Illinois Leathernecks.  I am hoping to be in attendance.  Go Big.  Go Blue.  Go Jacks.

The Chargers actually play on Monday Night this week, so they won't be active until Monday.

The Harmings will be hanging around Elkton this weekend... doing some more stuff, getting the house in order.  Things are coming together pretty nicely.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

For the Friday Video, I thought I'd play a little Spoon.

Enjoy, "The Underdog"