Check out the "No Bullying" Signs. These were made by the students in Grade 5. They researched a form of bullying & offered suggestions if you feel you are being bullied. The signs are under "Student Computer Projects" at our homepage. These were posted 12/23/11.

GRADELEVEL SPECIFIC WEBSITES

Grade One

Grade Two

Grade Three

Grade Four

ESL

COMPUTER HQ

What new technology did you get for a gift? Durkin Park School is PC based. If you received any of the ipod, iphone, ipad family, these are on a MAC (Apple) format. These two formats do not talk to each other. A lot of what you see on a PC you might not be able to see on a MAC because of the formats. I can put first class on your ipad. In order for me to do so, you must have 3G or 4G.

We have ipad2 in the building...Mrs. Gonciarczyk won a grant from the Department of Libraries. With that money, the school bought 43 ipad2. We have broken them down into groups so that each cluster will be able to use some. We hope that your child will enjoy the various learning activites made possible by using this latest technology. HOWEVER, each child will be held responsible for the technology he/she uses

>Students will be assigned an ipad to work with. It must be returned in the same condition that it was given. The child will be held responsible for any damage done while in his/her possession. (Check AUP)

>These ipad2 are for educational use. We have blocked some of the features to prevent students from accessing non-education accessories and purchasing power. Please encourage your child to use the technology as instructed by the classroom teacher.

Flash drives...I am encouraging students in grades 5-8 to bring in flash drives. Please put your name on it so it can be returned to you. Why use a flash drive? *They can finish work at home and bring it into school...

*If they forgot to save to their server folder, they have a copy of it on their flash drives...

*I am teaching students to become more responsible for their work.

Do you know what to do when you are absent from computer class? You have the benefit of learning technology as part of your coursework. Just like any class you miss, there might be work to make up. Do you expect your classroom teacher to tell you what you missed? NO! You ask your teacher for your missing work. The same is for computer class.

I will be working more diligently on using Gradebook notes for students in grades 5-8 and remind you what you missed. For students in grades 3-4, I will use Gradebook notes to your parents. Any missing work will be MISSING in gradebook until it is made up before the end of the quarter. If you do not, MISSING work becomes a 0! NOT GOOD!

I will work more efficiently with Gradebook and training myself to check the notes. You can always email me in first class.

Have no printer? Here are some options
>Make sure you have paid your activity fee! Computer assessments must be printed for grades. BUT, classroom assignments are your responsibility.
>Grades 5-8, send your work to your email account. Either as an attachment or copy>paste right into the body of the email. (Don't have FIRST CLASS ON HOME COMPUTER? Download the client at fc.cps.edu)
>Save work to flash drive
>Use another email account. Because many students are getting more comfortable with emailing & have their own accounts, I have not blocked the other browsers. You may use lab computers to open your emails. However, you are not allowed to check those emails during class time.
>fax to our school

Students in grades 5-8 have adapted well to using their First Class Accounts. Since they are unique to each student, they must have them/know them. Students must be responsible for them! These passwords allow them to access their first class accounts (this acts like an email but has other features of workspaces & conferences, which encourage group work) and gradebook (where we encouage students to check their grades).

>First class: You can install the program by going to fc.cps.edu and click to download. It will put the icon on your desktop.

What educational benefits is first class?
Students can save work done at home and email to themselves. Then they can print at school

Students can save important websites & information to a word document. Save it. Email it to themselves to save as a copy.

Students, when in a workspace or conference, can access papers or websites posted by the teacher. All users can see those documents. This way a student has no excuse for missing worksheets.

Why check grades? Students are learning to become more responsible for their work. Teachers are posting grades often and students need to see what they have earned. Assignments need to be made up if absent or missing. Students need to see how these affect their grades. Plus, there will be no shocking news at progress report time or report card time.

CONTINUE TO BRING IN YOUR USED INK CARTRIDGES for the school. I found a company who will trade the cartridges for money. The money will go to buy paper and toner for the lab. Drop them in the box in the main office.