Library Program

All students in grades K-8 visit the library for learning, browsing, and borrowing. Your child has the privilege of participating in the library program offered at St. Mary's. Students have the opportunity to borrow one book on a bi-weekly basis. All books must be returned by the following library period or they will be subjected to a .10-cent fine per day including weekends. The maximum fine charge will be a period of fourteen days. If the book is not returned within that time frame the child is then responsible for the cost of replacing the book. Parents may contact Ms. Irving at nirving@smsnwk.com for further questions or if a book is lost.

Basic Computer Curriculum:

ST. MARY'S STRIVES TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO:

Live, learn, and work successfully in an increasingly complex and information-rich society, students must be able to use technology effectively. Within an effective educational setting, technology can enable students to become:

• Capable information technology users
• Information seekers, analyzers, and evaluators
• Problem solvers and decision makers
• Creative and effective users of productivity tools
• Communicators, collaborators, publishers, and producers
• Informed, responsible, and contributing citizens

(National Educational Technology Standards, 2007)

Below you will find a list of standards that are followed to ensure that students meet the goals listed above.

Grades K-2:

• Use input and output devices to successfully operate computers.
• Use educational software for directed and independent learning.
• Communicate about technology using appropriate and accurate terminology.
• Use interactive books, educational software, multimedia encyclopedias to support learning.
• Work cooperatively and collaborately when using technology in the classroom.
• Demonstrate positive social and ethical behaviors when using technology.
• Create a basic multimedia presentations.
• Use educational software for problem solving, communicating, and illustration of thoughts, ideas, and stories.

Grades 3-5:

• Use keyboards and other common input and output devices efficiently and effectively.
• Discuss common uses of technology in daily life and the advantages and disadvantages those uses provide.
• Discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and information and describe personal consequences of inappropriate use.
• Use word processors. spreadsheets, databases, e-mail and other productivity tools to support personal productivity, enhance basic skills, and facilitate learning throughout the curriculum.
• Use multimedia authoring, presentation, Web tools, digital cameras, scanners for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities.
• Use e-mail, blogs, and discussion boards to access remote information, communicate with others in support of direct and independent learning, and pursue personal interests.
• Use e-mail, online discussions, Web environments to participate in collaborative problem-solving activities for the purpose of developing solutions.
• Use calculators, videos, educational software for problem solving, self-directed learning.
• Determine which technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems.
• Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources.

Grades 6-8:

• Apply strategies for identifying and solving routine hardware and software problems that occur during everyday use.
• Demonstrate knowledge of current changes in information technologies and the effect those changes have on the workplace and society.
• Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse.
• Use content-specific tools, software, and simulations exploratory environments, Web tools to support learning and research.
• Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum.
• Design, develop, publish, and present products using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts.
• Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using e-mail, blogs, discussion boards, etc. to investigate curriculum-related problems, issues, and information, and to develop solutions.
• Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of concepts underlying hardware, software, and connectivity, and of practical applications to learning and problem solving.
• Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources concerning real-world problems.

(Adapted from the NETS National Education Technology Standards)

There are so many projects going on in the lab that it is almost impossible to name them all. Feel free to come visit my classroom and see what your child is learning.

Thank you,