Technology & Media... Winter, 2008-2009
Grants Received!
Target
Corporation donated $1000 towards our Clay Residency in February, 2009.
Watch for more information in January.
Catholic Aid donated $500 for technology. Thank you! We plan to use it to update
classroom computers as soon as we raise additional funds.
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We received notice that we were awarded the grant opportunity to the "Picturing America" pilot project of the We the People program of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) conducted in cooperation with the ALA Public Programs Office. Picturing America will provide a collection of 20 double-sided, laminated posters depicting works of American art, related reading lists, and a 100-page resource book with information about the paintings, sculpture, architecture, and crafts reproduced. We will use these resources in the classrooms and in the Media Center. Volunteers began classroom presentations in April, 2008. We will continue classroom presentations during the 2008-2009 school year. Students are very engaged!
http://publicprograms.ala.org/picturingamerica/
Technology Plan Approved 2008
The SA&SMCES Technology Plan was revised, approved by the Technology Planning Committee, sent off in early December to the Department of Education in the State of Minnesota for its review and approved in April, 2008! If you can assist us in meeting our goals, please let us know. See our home page for a link to our Technology Plan.
Technology fundraising: Due to a generous donor the board game Pickel the Pirate is for sale in the School Office for $15.00. This board game makes a great gift for the entire family. It's fun for all ages!
Proceeds this year will go into a fund earmarked for the purpose of upgrading the classroom computers.
Internet Safety
The Internet is an amazing tool for young and old. However, Internet usage can become problematic if there is inadequate supervision. Experts tell us that computers should never be allowed in children’s rooms. Computers need to be placed in central locations where parents are always there to monitor content. Rules about Internet usage need to be established by parents. For example, children should never be allowed to access the Internet without asking their parents for permission each time. Parents must determine what is appropriate to view.
We are raising children who are technologically savvy. They understand how to use computers and are very comfortable doing so. This is a very positive development. However, children are children, and their maturity levels are those of children. They are naive. Predators do and will take advantage. It is important to be vigilant.
Ms. Elchert, Media Specialist, 529-3213