Fall is definitely in the air, though I’m holding out for those rays of sun peeking out from the clouds. Some of you have started using the online Raz-Kids for your Running Records assessments, which is also available to any of your students. This will give you a fabulous pre/post running record of error counts [omissions, insertions, mispronunciations…], WCPM [words correct per minute], error rate, and accuracy score. Matching these against the Reading Fluency chart will provide insights of where the students are in relation to an expected percentile range. These scores can also be used in your schoolwide assessments.
Some news that I’ve been waiting which will offer more flexibility: Raz-Kids has 
launched their app for ipad! Students can now access their Raz-Kids accounts from the ipad. You should use a headset [the speaker jack from your headset goes into the jack on the top of the ipad]. The recordings can be done with the ipad mic, rather than the mic attached to the headset. However, consider using the program in a quiet spot as sound will travel. More information on the program can be found here.
If you are interested in accessing Raz-Kids, please email me. A session is listed in the Staff Development Calendar to help with the details.
Hi Elise
Great that you want to have an online communication area with your students.
I’ll email you the process.