1.    How is computer instruction scheduled?

Students in all three grades have computer class every day for one term.

2.    Besides the scheduled classes, are there other opportunities for my child to use a computer?

We generally have the lab open on Mondays after school for Computer Club. During this time, students are allowed to use any program we have installed on the computers or work on class projects. During busy times, such as when our seventh and eighth graders are working on History Day projects, the lab is open most days after school. We will soon have available, for classroom use, portable wireless laptop labs. These labs can be reserved by classroom teachers. There are also banks of both Gateways and Macintosh computers in our library for student use. Students are also allowed to use the Computer Lab during H periods to work on classroom assignments as the need arises.

3.     What applications will my child be using during computer class?

The PC lab is equipped with Gateway computers, which are currently running Windows ’98 second edition, but over the summer will be upgraded to Windows 2000. There are many programs available to our students, such as the Office 2000 suite. Please refer to the Curriculum page for more information about our curriculum. Students are taught how to navigate through a network and have password-protected folders housed on our server. 

4.     What is my child’s exposure to the Internet?

Students do use the Internet during school for educational purposes. They are taught various Internet skills such as website evaluation, searching tips and tricks, effective search techniques, fair use, and electronic citation. Students are never allowed to use Instant Messenger, email, or chat rooms. Please refer to our Acceptable Use Policy, which is located in the Student Handbook. Internet use is closely supervised at all times.