September 15, 2008

Dear Carmody Computer Parents and Their Students:

Four points to emphasize in this, the seventh 2008 fall, semester newsletter.

1. Today, the PC Computer lab (Dr. Data's) is being totally rewrired so that the school network works perfectly. Your child will find the computers running better and able to save their work to the school server. But I still believe each student should have their own flashdrive (thumb drive). Good news! The Carmody library has 7 flashdrives that can be checked out for student use much like checking out library books and with no charges. So take advantage of this situation insure your child has the options of finishing daily assignments at home whenver the need arises!
   
   
2. Parent-Student-Teacher conferences are taking place next Wednesday and Thursdasy, September 17 and 18 from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. When a student brings one of their parents to meet with Dr. Data, they can earn a floating 'A.' Dr. Data will be in the cafeteria and anxious to meet each and every parent. This is a great opportunity for questions to be asked and answered.
   
   
3. On Carmody's Parent-Portal, be aware that sometimes Dr. Data gives more than one day for an assignment while most of the time one day. Basically assignments should be completely weekly so makeup work does not become excessive. And don't look at completion days as absolute as students can still finish work at home and submt without a late penalty with a parent signature and date of completion.
   
   
4. Hope the "M" (Missing Grades) grades are disasppearning for our upcoming Parent-Student-Teacher conferences next week? If not, student work is strongly encouraged after school daily in the PC Lab Monday through Friday between 2:15 and 3 p.m. But please make appointments for Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with Dr. Data since there are faculty meetings periodically.
   
   
5. Be aware that students' missing assignments are not graded because...
   
   • They print sometimes to the wrong printer.
   • They forget to pick up their printed assignments and eventually, they get lost in that Dr. Data never sees it to be graded
   • Sometimes, students forget to put their names of their submitted assignments.
   • Sometimes but rarely, Dr. Data just didn't entry the grade correctly.
     
     
6. Solutions for assignments not being credited/graded?
   
   • Save ones assignments many times during a class period so one can always show it to Dr. Data again.
   • Always save before printing just in the case the computer should crash
   • Save all returned completed assignments in the student notebook so the student has proof that it was done.
   • If assignments are completed at home, simple reprint them and show to Dr. Data the next day in class along with a parent signature and date completed verifying that your child did the work themselves.
     
     

Hope this helps.

Till next time,

Dr. Data