Copyright
Installation
Audits
E-mail Privacy Rights
IIBG Computer Use IIBG-2
Student Handbook
IIBGA Children’s Internet Protection Act IIBGA

September 10^th, 2012

Dear Parents,

In an effort to stimulate the learning of your children I will be “flipping the classroom” throughout the rest of the school year. This teaching method flips what historically has happened in the classroom with what is considered homework. The reason for this switch is simple: kids today are captured by technology. They use it to interact socially with their peers online, they communicate with others electronically, research online, and watch life changing around them, via sites like youtube. The old fashioned way of teaching via a teacher standing up in front of a classroom full of kids and lecturing them on new concepts and ideas is not effectively reaching today’s student. This is where “flipping the classroom” comes in. Students are given short videos on content to watch at home, maybe do a few practice problems at home, then come to school the next day to practice and master that skill at school. If a student is struggling, this will free up the teacher to help them and allow the student to work at their own pace. Meanwhile, it allows students who easily grasp a concept to move forward at a quicker pace. Essentially, teachers are shifting from being lecturers to mentors and facilitators.

I will be utilizing a couple of websites to assist in the delivery of instruction to students. Some of the sites will require an email address to create a student account. If a student already has an email address, they can use that email for the purposes of creating the accounts. One site, edmodo.com is similar to facebook because it creates a safe and secure online community similar to our classroom at HMS, only it’s online. This means that no matter where your child is (sick, appointment, vacation, etc.), they will be able to access the lesson they missed. The other site that will be utilized a lot, and will need to have an email to create an account is www.khanacademy.org . This site contains millions of short video lessons and can be accessed through any device that has internet access.

In short, I need students that already have an email to bring that email address to school on, or before, Friday, April 13^th. If possible I would also like students with email to get their accounts on www.edmodo.com and www.khanacademy.org before Friday, April 13^th as well. The directions for both sites are listed below. If your child does not have an email address I would like to have your permission to create an email through Google mail (Gmail), for them to use with these sites for the remainder of the year. They will be able to keep this email address at the end of the year as well and continue using it if they want to. If you would prefer to help them set up an email address, that is fine, however, I ask that the student be able to bring the email address to me by Friday, April 13^th.
Directions for www.edmodo.com :

1) Go to www.edmodo.com
2) Click on the “I’m a Student” button
3) Fill in the information it asks (including an email address), group codes for my classes are below:
a. 1^st Hour – rzaevu
b. 4^th Hour – 9h1mn7
c. 5^th Hour – pnzi7i
d. 7^th Hour – n7q0yw
4) After you log in for the first time make sure to sign up for notifications and alerts. You can go ahead and personalize your account, but you need to keep anything you put appropriate for the classroom as it will be visible to your class and me. The first lesson has been posted on there as well.

Directions for www.khanacademy.org
1) Go to www.khanacademy.org
2) Go to login, there will be two options if the student already has a Google account, or Facebook, they may use that to login to Khan Academy. If not continue with number 3.
3) Follow the link that says “to sign up for a google account”. This will create a gmail email account for them, which will need to be given to me by Friday, April 13^th.
4) After creating the Google Account, login and click the Coach Link on the upper Right Hand side of the page.
5) Follow the directions to add a coach. My email for Khan Academy is abennett@usd261.com . This will link their account to me and I will be able to monitor their progress as well.
6) Feel free to explore Khan Academy after logging in.

Students will be allowed to start bringing their own devices for use in MY CLASS ONLY, beginning on Thursday, April 12^th. Again these devices will only be allowed for use in my classroom only. Students need to be aware that use of their device in other classrooms is up to the discression of that teacher and the administration. Students may use devices that fall into the following categories: (1) laptops, (2) netbooks, (3) tablets, (4) e-Readers, and (5) smartphones . Families must stress the responsibilities their children have when bringing their own computing devices to school. Any devices students bring to school are their sole responsibility. Haysville Middle School takes no responsibility to search for lost or stolen devices nor is there any assumption of financial responsibility by Haysville Middle School for damaged, lost or stolen personal computing devices. There is an acceptable use policy form on the third and fourth page that will need to be signed and returned no later than Thursday, April 12^th.


For those students who do not have access to internet or computer at home, we will have technology here at school available to use during the day. Any student who needs to will be given a pass to come to one of our computer labs at HMS and can watch the lessons here at school during Guided Study. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me via email at abennett@usd261.com , or at school.

Thanks,
Ashleigh Bennett
6^th Grade Math Teacher















Technology Acceptable Use Agreement: (Please sign and return to Mr. Reimer by Thursday, 4/5/12)
From the HMS Student Handbook:
Computer systems and networks are for educational and professional use only. Violations of this policy would include, but are not limited to the following: sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures; using obscene language; damaging computers, computer systems or networks, including creating, uploading or downloading computer viruses; violating copyright laws, or loading personal software on district computers; harassing, insulting, or attacking others via computer networks; using others' usernames and passwords; trespassing in others' folders, work, files or networks; intentionally wasting limited resources; employing district computers and networks for commercial purposes; and giving out personal information over the Internet, such as full name and address.
The district retains the right to discipline any student, up to and including expulsion, for violations of this policy.
Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district e-mail, instant messaging, Internet access, or other official communication systems. The school district retains the right to duplicate any information on district computer systems or on any hard drive. Any e-mail, instant messaging, Internet access, computer application, or information in district computers or computer systems is subject to monitoring by the administration.
Email, instant messaging, and Internet access shall be used primarily to conduct approved district business, educational research, and educational purposes. Students must use appropriate language in all messages. Students are expected to use the system following guidelines approved by teachers or the administration. Students shall not install software on district computers or computer systems.

USD 261 – Haysville – BOE Policies
IIBG Computer Use (See ECH, JCDA and KBA) IIBG
Use of District Computers/Privacy Rights
Computer systems are for educational and professional use. All information created by staff shall be considered district property and shall be subject to unannounced monitoring by district administrators. The district retains the right to discipline any student, up to and including expulsion, and any employee, up to and including termination, for violations of this policy.

Copyright
Software acquired by staff using either district or personal funds, and installed on district computers, must comply with copyright laws. Proof of purchase (copy or original) must be filed in the district office.

Installation
No software, including freeware or shareware, may be installed on any district computer until cleared by the network administrator. The administrator will verify the compatibility of the software with existing software and hardware, and prescribe installation and de-installation procedures. Program files must have the superintendent's approval to be installed on any district server or computer.
Hardware
Staff shall not install unapproved hardware on district computers, or make changes to software settings that support district hardware.

Audits
The administration may conduct periodic audits of software installed on district equipment to verify legitimate use. Unless otherwise noted all of the following policies were re-adopted July 20, 2009.

E-mail Privacy Rights
Employees and/or students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district e-mail or other official communication systems. Any e-mail or computer application or information in district computers or computer systems is subject to monitoring by the administration.
Unless otherwise noted all of the following policies were re-adopted July 2, 2007.

IIBG Computer Use IIBG-2
Ownership of Employee Computer Materials
Computer materials or devices created as part of any assigned district responsibility or classroom activity undertaken on school time shall be the property of the board. Unless otherwise noted all of the following policies were re-adopted July 20, 2009.

Student Handbook
Students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district e-mail or computer systems. E-mail messages shall be used for approved educational purposes. Students must use appropriate language in all messages. Students are expected to use the system following guidelines approved by teachers or the administration. Any e-mail or computer application or information in district computers or computer systems is subject to monitoring by the staff and/or administration. The school retains the right to duplicate any information created by students in a computer system or on any individual computer. Students who violate these rules or any other classroom rules relating to computer use are subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension from school.
Adopted: July 7, 2003; Revised and BOE Approved: April 5, 2004; Reviewed and Approved KASB Recommendation: September 22, 2008Unless otherwise noted all of the following policies were re-adopted July 20, 2009.

IIBGA Children’s Internet Protection Act IIBGA
The district shall implement the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The superintendent shall develop a plan to implement the Children’s Internet Protection Act. This plan shall be on file with the board clerk and in each school office with Internet access, and copies shall be available. The superintendent shall ensure compliance with CIPA by completing Federal Communication Commission forms as required.
BOE Approved: July 7, 2003

By signing, I agree that I have Read and Understand all policies regarding the use of technology in USD 261. Please Return to Miss Bennett by Thursday, April 12^th.

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Parent Sign, Print, and Date.

Student Sign, Print, and Date