ROSETTA STONE
Dear Parents,
Last spring the PTA voted to implement changes to the 2010-2011 PTA-funded Spanish Program at
Bryker Woods. The changes are based on year-long research by a parent/teacher/staff task force. It was
decided that the Spanish program for grades 3-6 would cease with in-class instruction and the PTA
would look into other possible means of language instruction for grades 3-6. One proposed alternative is
Rosetta Stone. Through the PTA, you can now purchase an extremely discounted subscription to Rosetta
Stone’s online language learning programs. Friends have told me that it is an incredible program. It is an
effective, scientifically research-based language learning solution. You can choose any of the 25
languages offered and choose the proficiency level you need. While we are offering Rosetta Stone due
to the change of the 3-6 program, Rosetta Stone also has a K-2 program available, which limits the need
to read and write while using the program.
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Although this program is part of the PTA's ongoing effort to provide exposure to the Spanish language,
please note that you may choose any language for your subscription. The students will gain access at a
significantly discounted rate of $109 per person (the retail price is $699 for levels 1-5). Once a language
is designated, the student has access to all 5 levels of that language for one year. However, in order to
receive the discounted rate of $109 per subscription, we must have a minimum of 25 subscriptions.
Subscriptions would be for online accounts, so you would have access to your Rosetta Stone software at
home or in school or anywhere you had a computer with high-speed internet access. Please review the
system requirements link under the “Rosetta Stone Hosted” column to make sure you have the type of
Internet connectivity needed to use the site. You will also need a USB headset with microphone and
Flash 10 or higher on your computer to use the> speech recognition and view the curriculum.
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> http://www.rosettastone.com/global/support/system-requirements/b2b
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An example of the program will be available for your review between September 1st through September
8th at:
http://trial3.rosettastoneclassroom.com
If you haven't checked your computer system to make sure it has the necessary resources, please go to
the First Time Users page before your first sign-in to perform a system check. Look at the Quick Start
Guide for help with your first sign-in, and if you need more help, go to the Support tab.
The username and password (case-sensitive) are:
username: Bryker
password: rosetta1
or
username: Bryker1
password: rosetta1
Once you sign in, you can learn more about Rosetta Stone in our User's Guide on the Documentation
page, available under the Support tab. You will need a USB headset with microphone to review this
sample program. Please also note that only one person can be in the sample program at any time;
therefore, if you are not able to access it, please try it later.
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Are you interested in purchasing an annual Rosetta Stone subscription for $109? Please reply to this
email by August 15th indicating you would like to purchase this program, if available. In your reply,
please let me know the name of your student(s) and which Austin ISD school they attend. Although this
offer is only good for Bryker Woods students, subscriptions may be purchased for siblings as well, if they
are a student in Austin ISD K-12. We are also able to extend this offer to a Bryker Wood's parent if that
parent is enrolled in a parent education program through Austin ISD.
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For those students who do not have a computer or Internet access at home, the PTA is considering
purchasing a couple of programs to have on school computers, which would be available to students at
designated times, provided we could arrange for supervision of students using these programs.
Of course, we would only purchase such programs if we find that there is such a need. Therefore, please
reply to this email/flyer and/or drop a note off in the office to let us know that your student is interested
but could only access the Rosetta Stone program at school due to lack of computer/internet access at
home. Such in school access would be limited and reserved for those students who do not have access
otherwise.
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Another suggested alternative to in-class instruction for grades 3-6 is an after-school program that
provides fun and positive exposure to the Spanish language and culture. If you are interested in
sponsoring (or co-sponsoring) an after-school Spanish Club, please contact Steve Weise or Natalie
Freeburg.
Please let me know ASAP your interest in the Rosetta Stone program. For further explanation regarding
the Rosetta Stone offer, please see the FAQ below. We would like to have our students learning Spanish
(or some other language) as soon as possible.
If you want a subscription or subscriptions, we must have your order form and a check by Thursday,
September 16th. The check should be made payable to Bryker Woods PTA for $109 per subscription. If
you do not order by September 16th, you will have to wait until we have five other people who want
subscription before we can add you to the account—such subscriptions will be prorated. Order forms
are in the office next to the red box labeled “Rosetta Stone”; please place your order form and check in
the box.
Should you have any questions, please contact:
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Liz Breed
236-8147 home; 773-8002 cell
carterb@austin.rr.com
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rosetta Stone Subscription and
the Spanish Program:
1) Why purchase a Rosetta Stone subscription if we have in-class instruction for grades K-2 and
extracurricular activities (Spanish Club) for grades 3-6?
The Rosetta Stone program is a viable way to help our children increase their knowledge of a second
language, and by doing it as a school community have fun in the process! Our students are limited by
the boundaries of school, and extra attention and time is needed if language acquisition is to be
successful. Although there are plans to offer other extracurricular activities to increase exposure to the
Spanish culture, these plans are in the start-up phase and are dependent on parents spearheading them.
2) Do I have to purchase a Spanish program or can I pick a different language? Although this program is
part of the PTA's ongoing effort to provide exposure to the Spanish language, your child may choose any
languages offered by Rosetta Stone - from Arabic to Vietnamese.
You can choose whatever language you wish to learn from the list below:

Arabic

Japanese

Chinese (Mandarin)

Korean

Dutch

Latin

English (American)

Persian (Farsi)

English (British)

Polish

Filipino (Tagalog)

Portuguese (Brazil)

French

Russian

German

Spanish (Latin America)

Greek

Spanish (Spain)

Hebrew

Swedish

Hindi

Turkish

Irish

Vietnamese

Italian
3) How will I know which level to purchase? A test during the set-up process will determine the
appropriate level, and that level can be changed during the subscription period.
4) Can I purchase a subscription for myself or for my child who does not attend Bryker Woods? At this
time, no. However, subscriptions may be purchased for siblings of BrykerWood’s students, if the siblings
are students in Austin ISD. Also, if a parent is enrolled in a parent education program through Austin ISD
then they may purchase a subscription for the discounted price.
5) Will the program allow my child to repeat lessons?
Yes.
6) What if I have technical questions?
Rosetta Stone has a technical assistance phone number of 1-800-788-0822 ext. 1706.7) Will my child be
able to access the Rosetta Stone program from home? Your child should be able to access the program
from any computer that has high-speed internet. Please review
http://www.rosettastone.com/global/support/system-requirements/b2b to make sure you have the
required equipment. You will also need a USB headset with microphone and Flash 10 or higher on your
computer to use the speech recognition and view the curriculum.
8) What if we do not have a computer or the required internet connectivity to access the program or
we cannot afford the program? The PTA is considering purchasing a few network-based programs to
put on the school computers, but this will be based on the level of interest, the needs of the students,
and the budget of the PTA.
9) Can I subscribe later on in the year? Yes, but you may be delayed until a certain number of people
sign up with you – subscriptions can only be started as part of a group.
10) What else can I do to get involved in the Spanish Program? What are your interests? Organized
events? Movie nights? Spanish conversation dinners? Please contact Natalie Freeburg
(npfreeburg@yahoo.com) or Steve Wiese (steven.m.wiese@gmail.com) with your ideas.
Remember, if you are interested in trying Rosetta Stone, or have any other questions, please send Liz
Breed an email at carterb@austin.rr.com.