Revisied: Focus Newsletter - Fall 2011

2012 Focus Users Conference

The third annual Focus School Software Users Conference is to be held January 12-13, 2012 at the Hilton Altamonte Springs (Orlando, FL).  Last years conference drew more than 350 educators from around the world and with six vendors, 45 breakout sessions and the ever-popular client appreciation dinner, this conference should be the best yet.  The conference brochure can be found at: http://www.focus-sis.org/userfiles/users-conference-2012.pdf To register, please visit: https://www.regonline.com/focusschoolsoftwareusersconference Focus School Software was able to negotiate a room rate with wireless internet and parking included for $94.  Please register via the Hilton website: http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/A/ALTAHHF-FOCUS-20120110/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Please note that a discounted conference rate is offered until December 16, 2011 so register early.  You may also want to start training for the Focus 5K run at the users conference.  Participants get a free t-shirt. Dinner reception will be themed "Old Western" and includes live music, feel free to bring your cowboy hats & boots.

Focus School Software attends the Association of International Schools in Africa Educator’s Conference – Oct. 16 to 19, 2011

Representing international schools on the continent of Africa, AISA has a membership of schools which range in size from 20 to 3600 students. AISA schools are strongly influenced by their location in Africa and their cosmopolitan student enrollment and teaching staffs who emanate from countries across the globe. Some AISA schools have an American based curriculum, others are British, and still others have an eclectic mix. All have an international focus.  Focus is an Associate Member of AISA, and attended the Educator’s Conference and exhibited to the Membership.  Close to 600 individuals from over 125 member schools in Africa representing nearly 42,000 students and over 2,500 teachers and administrators attended the conference.  During the three days of exhibiting we spoke with attendees from about twenty (20) different schools across the continent. 

 

Focus Employees Run Half Marathon to Raise Money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Focus School Software is committed to social and environmental causes and we are always looking for ways to help in our community.  As mentioned in our last newsletter, we have many employees who ride their bikes to work and recycling is second nature here as we strive to help the environment.  Shannon Hutchinson, Bethany Heslam, Trina Sammann and Jessica Barber ran the Women’s Half Marathon and 5k in St. Petersburg, FL!  This event benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  This nationwide event helps fund research that finds cures and more effective treatments for blood cancer patients. Congratulations to all on a great run! To learn more about the cause or to make a donation to LLS click here.

Meet Jessica Barber

Jessica was born in a small town in Ohio called Olmsted Falls, just southwest of Cleveland.  She moved to the Tampa Bay area when she was 10 with her parents and younger brother. Jessica attended Largo High School and graduated from St. Petersburg College with a Bachelor's degree in Technology Management and Marketing.

After spending 10 years at a large I.T. corporation, Jessica was looking for a change of scenery and moved to St. Petersburg.  Soon after, Jessica crossed paths with a long time friend, who worked at Focus School Software. They discussed the open positions and after an interview, she was offered a job as an Account Manager and has been on board for just under a year.

Jessica is responsible for ensuring that clients have a positive experience with Focus.  Her duties include troubleshooting client issues, implementation of new accounts and providing on and off-site training for new users.  She has also been working on procedural documentation and manuals as the company has grown.

Jessica is passionate about the environment and educates friends and family about simple things they can do to make a difference, including riding their bikes on local trips, recycling, bringing reusable bags to the market and buying locally.  We are delighted to have her on the Focus School Software team!

 

Meet Nyree Young

Nyree was born and raised in Sarasota, FL, the oldest of 4 daughters. After graduating from Booker High School in Sarasota, FL, she studied English at the University of South Florida.  Prior to working with Focus School Software, Nyree was hoping a new opportunity would come her way after working with an insurance company for 5  years. As luck would have it, she found out that there was a position available with Focus School Software and after an interview her life was changed. Nyree is the Office Assistant to the Director of Operations, which allows her to wear many hats in completing tasks of varying degrees. She handles accounts receivable/payable, general office inquiries and requests from clients, office organization, and assisting with the Annual User’s Conference.  She has been with Focus for nearly a year and a half.

Nyree is quite passionate about the creative arts. She is a singer/songwriter that loves music, rhythm and movement, along with art, theatre and dance.  She is very interested and involved in all forms of creative expression.  When she is not in the office, Nyree can be found expressing her creative side in many ways including: playing guitar and percussion around town with friends, singing backup in Sarasota and volunteering with the American Stage and Freefall Theater in St. Petersburg, FL.  Nyree has added such a fresh face and positive attitude to the Focus School Software team!

Did you know?

If you present at the users conference you get free admission.  Submit the title of your proposed presentation along with a 2-3 sentence description to Matt Muller at matt.muller@focus-sis.org.  You will receive a response within 24 hours if you are selected.

 

Focus School Software

475 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33701

877.250.1771 - FocusSchoolSoftware.com