TECHNOLOGY GOALS:

1. To meet the challenge of preparing all students in Arp ISD for a technologically challenging future by complying with  Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills guidelines as set forth by the Texas Legislature.

DO NOT:

• Turn on a computer without using a surge protector (one per machine)

• Turn off computer while in Microsoft Windows

• Keep computer on if it is covered -- the heat buildup is dangerous!

• Save personal files on the hard drive -- use network folder to save your data files

• DO NOT LOAD any program files in your computer's root directory. Contact a technology coordinator before you attempt to load any software on your machine!

• Load any shareware program or other software not purchased by the district. Viruses are transmitted without this caution.

• Bump a computer or jar it, move it, or the table it is sitting on while it is running. Keep dot matrix printers off the same table as your computer. Movement of your computer may cause hard drive failure.

• Set other electronic equipment near your computer (phones, stereos, radios, coffee cup warmers, etc.)

• Plug other electronic appliances into your surge protector. This causes small surges that eventually can damage your computer.

• Unplug your computer while it is running. Use the surge protector switch to turn off your computer before you unplug the surge protector from the wall.

• Do not allow students to bring diskettes in and out of your classroom unless you wish to be responsible for virus scanning and screening the diskettes.

DO:

• Use a surge protector switch to turn on or off your computer system.  Keep your system on at all times, unless asked to turn it off by your technology assistant.

• Keep dust and liquids away from your computer

• Run SCANDISK & Defrag often, to optimize your computer

• Unplug your system from the wall during summer vacation

• Keep your mouse pad clean. This will lengthen the life of your mouse.

• Lock your computer when not attending it. Your campus technology coordinator can show you how to accomplish this.

STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Students of Arp ISD will properly utilize technologies. Proper use includes real-world problem-solving, independent and group productivity, research, design, and synthesis of ideas, and/or simulation exploration, experimentation, assessment and evaluation processes.

All students will understand basic and complex system design, maintenance, and acceptable use policies.

All students will be required to follow ethical use and copyright laws. Infringement of these policies will result in restriction or limited use of technology in Arp ISD. Technology tools are provided by the district for appropriate educational objectives (i.e. games such as Solitaire, will not be played during school hours). Students utilizing technology for unauthorized purposes may be restricted from or lose privileges to district technologies.

Students will maintain equipment and report any equipment failure, damage or loss to their teacher. A student's failure to report important damage or loss may result in restricted use or loss of privileges to technologies. Since technology equipment is school property, student violation or abuse of this equipment will be subject to disciplinary action as defined in the District Discipline Management Plan.

ACCESS TO DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES & THE INTERNET:

Students will have access to Internet resources in each classroom in Arp Schools for research, global projects and Web site development. Filtering Internet content has been provided by the district, but does not insure that children will be isolated from all inappropriate materials. Therefore, Arp Schools maintain an acceptable use policy for the Internet which allows students to have access only in the presence of a facilitator or instructor. Internet research and usage will be highly structured and criteria driven.

The Arp District Technology Committee invites parent and student participation in planning, training, and implementation. This committee meets regularly. You may bring your ideas, concerns, and suggestions to any committee meeting by contacting a campus technology coordinator. Recognizing the awesome power the Internet has brought to American homes and schools, this committee strongly recommends the ISTE policies for home use of the Internet:

• Internet use be provided in a high traffic area of the home only (i.e. we do not recommend that children have access to the Internet in a private area of the house --- like a bedroom). The Internet should be monitored at least as vigorously as parents monitor cable television. Internet access should be a collaboration with parental involvement.

• Internet use should be provided only when a child is being monitored by a responsible adult

• A time restriction should be placed on Internet use in the same way that television time should be restricted

• Children should be instructed to never to give full name, address, phone number, or any other personal information to ANYONE for ANY reason over the Internet -- this includes information given to sites specifically designed for children, (i.e. Disney Web site, Hershey Web site, LOGO Web site, etc.).

• Children should be taught to report any harassment or inappropriate site or contact immediately to both the Internet Service Provider (i.e. AOL or Tyler Internet) and to their guardian or parent.

• Children should practice respect and Internet etiquette ("Netiquette") at all times while connected to the World Wide Web.

• Any software downloaded from the Internet should be virus checked before the program is run

• Children will not be allowed to bring software from home to school for any reason at any time. The Arp Schools reserve the right to supply students with software for use at home, however, this software will not be allowed back into the district network without being inspected by a campus technology coordinator.

• The Arp Schools make computer check out available during certain times of the year. To check out a computer from the Arp Schools, parents and students will have to attend campus training sessions. Please contact your campus technology coordinator for more details.

Students attending Arp ISD will ethically utilize all media, resources, and equipment to enhance the educational goals of the state, district, and classroom while maintaining a respect for all classmates, instructors, and administrators. Students and Parents will be required to sign a User Agreement for Access to the Arp ISD network, Internet / World Wide Web before using these resources in the district. This agreement will be initiated by your child’s home room teacher or sponsor. Violation of these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary action.