September 7th, 2015

Dear Families,

This year, each of the 7th grade Humanities classrooms will be equipped with a set of 24 MacBook laptops. This technology will allow us to conduct more classroom research, to pursue computer-based projects (Power Point presentations, I-Movies, web pages), and to use technology to enhance student understanding (on-line quizzes, Visual Thesaurus). The Humanities teachers are committed to using these computers as tools to improve the quality of classroom pedagogy.

We would like the students in our classroom to make a similar commitment to these computers. We would also like to make sure that the use of these computers is educationally appropriate and that students treat them as tools for growth and learning, not as toys or distractions. Since these are classroom laptops, each computer will be shared amongst four students, one in each Humanities section. Students must practice courtesy and respect for privacy when they use and share this technology.

In each Humanities classroom we will be reviewing the school’s computing policy and some of our own classroom policies for these computers. These policies are attached, and we are requesting both a student and parent/guardian signature indicating that you have read, understood, and agreed to these policies.

Finally, we would like to make a quick suggestion for each student. Because each computer’s hard drive will be re-imaged on a frequent basis, students need to be careful about saving their information and documents. The Humanities teachers recommend that students frequently back up their files on their flash drives. Students should also store their documents on the school’s file server as a back up.

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm. We look forward to an exciting year!

Peggy Doyle Joe Drogos Elisha Neely Sam Nekrosius 7th Grade Humanities Computer Policy:

1. The computers are to be used only for Humanities studies in tutorial and in Humanities classes. Students should use the computer lab for work for other classes.

2. The computers should not be used to play games, check email, IM/Gchatting, or browse the web, unless it is directly related to our work in Humanities. Misuse of computers, even if they are owned by the student, will result in loss of computer privileges.

3. Students may not consume food or drink in the same area as the computers and must keep their hands clean when using the laptops.

4. Students are responsible for returning their computers to their assigned dock.

5. Because these computers are being shared, maintaining battery power is exceptionally important. Students will take the responsibility to plug in the computers whenever possible, as well as practice battery saving measures, such as dimming the screen, opening only one program at a time, and closing the computer when it is not in use.

6. Students are responsible for saving any necessary materials in secure locations (on a flash drive or the school’s file server, not on the computers’ hard drives).

7. Students should respect others’ privacy and not search through students’ folders or delete any documents on the computers’ hard drives.

8. The Humanities teachers understand that accidents happen. We can keep the computers running smoothly if students can be honest and report any computer issues or repairs that may be necessary.

9. Students should be mindful of paper use and only print something once and only when certain it is necessary. If a larger print job is necessary, students should ask their teacher for directions and assistance.

Student Signature: ______

Parent / Guardian Signature: ______