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We see computers and related technologies as powerful tools that can be used to improve the basic skills of our students and as an instruments that will allow our students to communicate their ideas to others. Our vision is to use the power of computers and technology to enhance the learning of all Erving students.
The primary goal of the Erving Elementary School is to incorporate technology into the present educational program so that the district will:
Administrative and Management Goals and Initiatives
Communication and Information Access Goals and Initiatives
Instructional and Curricular Goals and Initiatives
Staff Competency Goals in Support of Student Learning and Education Reform Initiatives
This year all staff members will participate in two-hour technology professional development workshops. Workshops will topics include:
School Technology Infrastructure We have implemented a new web-based student information system that has dramatically improved our ability to create state reports, collect student data and run our cafeteria. We have implemented a new web-based special education program that allows our special education team around the clock access to student special education information. Recently we installed a suite of web based learning products from Renaissance Learning and Read Naturally. These instructional materials are used in all grade levels. Teachers have been trained in the use of all new hardware and software that we have acquired in the past three years. Teachers are continuing to integrate the new technologies into their lessons. A computer replacement plan is under development, we hope to replace all existing computers in the 2007-2008 school year. Internet service is now provided through Crocker Communications. We are using a 2.5 mpbs DSL line. This service has been fast and reliable. Web Filtering is done through our SonicWall firewall. Telephones are located in every classroom and office space in the school. We have three outside phone line and a fax line. The Erving Elementary School has never used E-rate discounts for hardware or wiring, but we do depend on E-rate discounts for affordable Internet access and phone service. Erving Elementary School Technology Budget The Erving Elementary School budget provides an adequate amount of money to support the annual operating costs of our technology program. Administrative Technology - $2000 Instructional Software and Hardware - $3,800 Technology Maintenance and Supplies - $3800 Networking and Telecommunication - $8,000 The school budget also covers the cost of a half-time technology coordinator and computer instructor. Tech Coordinator Job Description Network / Tech Maintenance · Maintain the school-wide network · Perform regular backups of mission critical data stored on various servers · Install Operating System updates, applications, software maintenance updates, patches, upgrades, and fixes · Purchase, set up and install new computers (and other hardware) and ensure all works well and connects to the school network · Set up all workstations for Internet. Maintain a firewall to keep out malicious intruders and safeguard network security Implement Internet filtering in compliance with CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) · Performs all functions and procedures necessary to install and maintain school network hardware and software. · Troubleshoot equipment problems and software glitches and obtain technical support if necessary · Ensure malfunctioning equipment is either repaired or replaced · Maintains software library and necessary documentation to include, but not to be limited to, network wiring, hardware and software · Follows troubleshooting procedures for hardware and software. Maintains hardware and arranges for timely repair. Maintains repair history and file server performance statistics · Ensures software in the school is properly licensed and maintains related records · Establishes and/or maintains network security Instructional Support · Develop and teach technology projects aligned with classroom curriculum and Massachusetts’ learning standards · Provide software and hardware training to teachers, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, administrators, and students · Help teachers, instructional aides, paraprofessionals and staff with software and hardware problems and questions · Provides teachers with strategies of how technology can be used to achieve the learning standards. · Establishes an environment encouraging creative and independent use of instructional technology. · Coordinates and/or provides training to school staff in network and software use. Coordinates activities of outside vendors, consultants and trainers. · Encourages student development of skills in the use of instructional technology resources. · Models effective use of technology in the classroom and media center for teachers and students. · Models effective use of technology in the classroom and media center for teachers and students. · Facilitates the use of existing and emerging technology by staff and students. Some examples are interactive video, CD-ROM, instructional television and telecommunications. · Facilitates staff participation in the evaluation and selections of new software, hardware, and materials to support instructional objectives. Technology Program · Annually write, update, and file (online) the school Technology Plan · Apply for e-Rate funding from the Schools and Libraries Division for Internet access, telecommunications, and internal connections · Maintain an inventory of school computers with serial numbers and warranty expiration dates · Write technology grant applications · Attend professional and MA DOE workshops and meetings to represent the school and keep up with important new developments in educational technology · Be available to answer technology-related questions and troubleshoot problems when off-site · Incorporates principles of district instructional technology plan into school technology planning. Further, ensures that technology is an integral part of the school improvement plan and supports the school's curriculum and instructional program. · Create, maintain and update the school Web site Evaluation Several times a year the principal and technology coordinator meet to review the school district tech plan. They evaluate our progress by formal observations and day-to-day monitoring of the technology program. Additional evaluation data comes from staff feedback collected during in-service workshops held each month. The tech plan is also reviewed each summer and new goals are developed for the coming school year. The staff meets in the fall to discuss these goals before they are added to the technology plan. Our professional development program is shaped by staff responses to the Massachusetts Technology Self-Assessment Tool that we administer twice a year. We use the results of the tool to access our teachers’ professional development needs and to plan future professional development sessions that will address those needs. Erving Elementary School Grade Level Technology Standards
Erving School District Computer Network Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policy Introduction The computer network resources at the Erving Elementary School are provided by and in consonance with the mission or the Erving School District which serves to: Improve education for all students through access to unique resources and partnerships;I Improve learning and teaching through research, teacher training, collaboration and distribution of successful education practices, methods and materials. In addition, we seek to ensure a healthy and appropriate use of Internet resources by making provisions for:
Our electronic resources including, but not limited to, computers and Internet access, allow users access to local, national, and international sources of information and collaboration vital to intellectual inquiry and democracy, and are intended solely for educational purposes. Every user has the responsibility to respect and protect the rights of every other user in our school communities and on the Internet. Account holders are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner, in accordance with both school and district policies, rules, regulations and guidelines and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States. The potential exists, outside the school/district network, for users to access inappropriate material. A user may intentionally or innocently access material inconsistent with our educational purpose. While violations of school/district policy are cause for concern, we maintain the educational advantages of using the web outweigh the disadvantages. It is the burden of parents and guardians to establish standards of use of electronic media consistent with school/district policy and to ensure that users comply with established policy. We respect each family's decision whether their child should or should not have access to the Internet. Students will be given an account on the network and access to the Internet unless a parent or legal guardian submits a signed Refusal Form. The following explains our policies for acceptable use of the Erving Elementary School computer network. Use of our computer network and the Internet are revocable privileges dependant upon compliance with school/district policy. A userÕs failure to comply with policy shall result in limited network/Internet access, suspension of access, and/or other disciplinary action. I. General provisions The Erving Elementary School has established certain protocols to ensure the safety of our school community, the security of computer networks, and compliance with applicable law. All users should be aware of the following standard practices: A. Network and Internet monitoring Our school may have software and systems in place that monitor and record all Internet usage. Given reasonable cause, we may intermittently monitor Internet traffic and other usage of electronic resources, for instance, by tracking destination URLs of individual users. Users should have no expectation of privacy when browsing the web, sending or receiving e-mail, or using other electronic resources. B. Filtering In accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), passed by the U.S. Legislature in January 2001 (Public Law 106-554), our school district shall employ filtering software to block access to inappropriate content on all computers with Internet access. Our school district certifies that a policy of Internet safety and technology protection measures shall be enforced. Users are restricted from accessing visual depictions of subject matter that is obscene, pornographic, child pornographic or harmful to minors. In compliance with CIPA our school district shall, in furtherance of this policy of Internet safety, monitor the online activities of minors. Users should be aware that filtering software will not block ALL inappropriate web sites. Users shall report all inappropriate sites not blocked by filters to a technology administrator for appropriate action. Filtering software may be disabled for users 18 and over by a technology administrator for legitimate research purposes. Our school district can not be held responsible for misuse of material downloaded from any online service, or for inappropriate or sexually explicit material being obtained through the network. II. User-specific provisions
Students, staff and faculty shall not: 1. Use the network to access and/or transmit material in violation of any U.S. or Commonwealth law, including copyrighted material. 2. Access, download, display, transmit, produce, generate, copy or propagate any material that is obscene or pornographic material; advocates illegal acts; contains ethnic slurs, or racial epithets; or discriminates on the basis of gender, national origin, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, handicap or age. 3. Degrade, damage or disrupt equipment or system performance. 4. Gain unauthorized access to network resources. 5. Permit or authorize any other person to use their name or login password. 6. Use an account of any other person or vandalize another user's data. 7. Waste electronic storage space by saving unnecessary files or programs. 8. Download, install, load or use programs without written permission of a technology administrator. 9. Use the Internet for personal commercial purposes or for political lobbying. 10. Use inappropriate, offensive, foul or abusive language. 11. Harass or annoy any other party with obscene, libelous, threatening or anonymous messages, objectionable information, images or language. 12. Forward chain letters. 13. Forward e-mail messages of broad interest including virus alerts and jokes to the entire school community (see number 5 below). 14. Knowingly make use of pirated software or violate software licensing agreements. 15. Engage in the practice of "hacking" or knowingly engage in any other illegal activity with using the network. Students, staff and faculty must: 1. Use the Internet and other electronic resources only for legitimate educational purposes. 2. Respect commonly accepted practices of Internet etiquette including, but not limited to, use of appropriate language. 3. Be aware of potential security risks at all times and take all reasonable steps to minimize risks by, at minimum, logging off the network when a computer is unattended and reporting all unauthorized use of one's account to a technology administrator. 4. Avoid bulk e-mailing 5. Forward all e-mails of broad interest, such as virus alerts, to a technology administrator for appropriate distribution to the entire school community. 6. Treat all computer areas and equipment with the utmost care and respect
Students may access the Internet only with adult supervision, and must notify a teacher or technology administrator immediately if they come across inappropriate content. In addition, students may not use the Internet to give out personal information (such as a home address, telephone number, or picture) about themselves or other students. Student use of electronic resources is restricted to teacher-approved projects and research. III. E-mail School and district resources for electronic communication shall be used for educational purposes. Incidental and occasional personal use of electronic mail may occur when such use does not generate a direct cost for the district, but such messages will be treated no differently from other messages on the network. Prohibited electronic communications include, but are not limited to: 1. Use of electronic communications to send copies of documents in violation of copyright laws. 2. Use of electronic communications to intimidate others or to interfere with the ability of others to conduct school/district business. 3. Constructing electronic communications to they appear to be from someone else. 4. Obtaining access to the files or communications of others for the purpose of satisfying idle curiosity, with no substantial school/district business purpose. IV. Posting of Student Photos and Work on the School Web Site Parent Permission is required before any student's photo, art work, writing, or other project, may be posted on the Erving Elementary School web site, a part of the Internet. Student work will appear with no reference to the student's last name, home address or telephone number. |