December 17, 2008

Dear Carmody Computer Parents and Their Students:

Second Grading Period - Final Closure!

Several important points to emphasize in this, the 15th 2008 fall semester newsletter.

1. Thank you for a fantastic semester of instruction. Your children were and are wonderful. Dr. Data thoroughly enjoyed teaching both the 7th and 8th grade Carmoday Middle School elective computer classe.
   
   
2. Review of prominent features developed especially the Carmody Middle School 7th and 8th Grade Elective Computer Classes.
   
   
   • Gifted and talented students can self-pace the class at their own pace to progress faster and more advanced because of the interactive web-based home-study options.
   • Whenever a student is absent, they can conveniently make up the missing work at home even before they return to school again instead of taking days afterwards.
   • All database assignments can also be done at home on-line with an interactive on-line database program.
   • Entry and intermediate levels of tutorials for learning how to construct computer games in Klik & Play and Multimedia Fusion
   • More on-line tutorials for learning word processing in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, PageBreeze, Clarisworks, Excel, Internet search engines, PowerPoint and other applications.
   • More on-line assessment tests and practice tests for more thorough mastery of each and every unit of instruction.
   • Syllabus for parents of what software applications are used in the semester class is published on-line so both students and parents can more fully participate with the on-line interactive web-based instruction for the entire semester.
   • Parents will be allowed to participant in the entire interactive web-based instruction so that they can learn, practice and master any and/or all instructional phases of the class plus be able to better assist their children at home.
   • Parents will be allowed to attend any class during the semester to learn simultaneously with their children. In fact, extra computers will be available in class so parents can participate at their workstations.
     
     
3. Still have a few vacancies for student assistants for Dr. Data during the 2009-2010 school year. There are many worthy 7th graders that Dr. Data would like to have as students. And still possible for 8th graders for next semester. In either case, (simply write a letter to Mr. O'Brien giving permission to be a student assistant). Requirements are as follows:

   Student Assistant Prerequisites!

   • Likes computers
   • Likes to help students
   • Doesn't get ill when Dr. Data speaks with your child.
   • Have all C's or higher grades in all of their classes.
   • No discipline problems in all of their 7th grade classes.
   • No attendance problems in all of their 7th grade classes.

   Student Assistant Scheduling Procedures

   Student assistants substitute one elective class either next fall or winter semester and meet with one of Dr. Data's 7th grade computer classes. A student assistant is expected to be able to assist students with their class work, trouble shoot hardware/software problems, do clerical work, design/type instructional materials, load software, print out instructional materials, answer student questions, run errands and post materials on the white board.

   In order for your child to be a student assistant, the parent must agree that the child can be assigned to one of my 7th grade classes either 1st or 2nd semester in place of one of their 8th grade elective classes. If you should any questions regarding how this scheduling takes place, please contact Mr. David O’Brien, 8th grade counselor, for details.

   All such student assistants for the 2009-2010 school year must read and complete the following student assistant contract form and return to Dr. Data by Wednesday, December 18, 2008. You can print out a student assistant contract at http://www.kuzmich.com/carmody/student_assistant_contract.html and if interested, please sign it along with your child and return to Dr. Data again, by Wednesday, December 18, 2008. Again, 8th graders can be student assistants for next semester.

   Note: It is a prerequisites for a student assistant that the child both likes working at the computer and likes to help students. It is expected that a prospective student will have successfully completed the 7th grade Computer class elective class. Normally, Dr. Data selects “A” students, but on occasion he will select a student who would benefit from the peer to peer experience as a student assistant even if they are "C" or "B" students .

Behavior in a computer learning environment must be suitable for quality level instruction where the rights of the student and teacher are respected. Likewise, classroom rules and procedures must be respected so that the primary efforts of both the students and teacher are focused on the instructional process. I believe it is important that both the students and teacher have the expectation to be happy, safe and productive in the classroom. Since the 7th Grade exploratory computer class represents an introductory class in computer skills, the success of the class is not to be only measured by the computer skills taught but also respect for the high technology atmosphere. The PC Lab has 33 computer workstations for 30 students along with monitors, printers and other related equipment within a modest-sized room. This needs to be an orderly and secure environment. I will publish detailed expectations for each part of the general classroom procedures (entering the room, beginning of the period activity, administrative task, lectures, cooperative learning, testing, seat work, and others), including security expectations for students entering the room as well as for instructional period and wrap-up at the end of the class period. Students are not to leave their chairs during the period unless directed by the teacher.

Be aware that student assistants do not specialize in one kind of service. Be willing to engage in many different and interesting assignments from computer repair, software loading, doing errands, teaching one-on-one, passing out papers, and other necessary assignments based on the need at hand!

Thank you for the opportunity to teach your children. Hope this information is helpful and looking forward to next semester with more enhanced on-line interactive web-based curriculum. More features will be incorporated than those listed above.

Have a great winter break and above all, enjoy your families as this is a special time to be together! Last Christmas, my 30 year old son lost his wife in a tragic automobile accident which has been difficult on him and especially for his then 2-year old son.

Till next time,

Dr. Data