Internet
The
world wide web is a helpful resource to students and teachers. MISD considers
using the internet a privilege, but must protect users from harmful sites
that do not enhance the learning experience while in the classroom. For
this reason, a web filter (see next paragraph) is used. Parents can be
rest assured that students can "surf" authorized web pages to
learn, and not be distracted from the assignment at hand.
Web
Filter
MISD
is committed to technology in the classroom. With this commitment there
is a responsibility to students, teachers and parents.
The Technology Staff
has installed a filter to discourage surfers from sites that are detrimental.
Parents can feel safe that students using the internet can do so without
interference from harmful sites that their child might come across. This
leads to smoother and controlled classrooms by the teacher in order that
the learning process never stalls.
The filter software
used is by St.
Bernard. It's purpose is to scan the background description and information
before a web page is loaded in a browser. Only the technology staff has
rights to control the filter.
The district has distributed
the Acceptable
Users Agreement to ensure appropriate use. Teachers, staff and students
have read and submitted their forms and understood the use of computers
and the internet in the classroom. In addition, any students using the
internet under teacher supervision will continue to be monitored. No Internet
filter is 100% guaranteed to restrict access to inappropriate content.
However, this proactive approach to Internet filtering will significantly
reduce the opportunity to inadvertently reach an inappropriate site and
bring comfort to teachers using the web in their instructional activities.
Midlothian
ISD Online
Midlothian
ISD's web site is created and hosted internally, with no help from outside
internet hosting companies or web designers. The webmaster is responsible
for web page construction, graphic design as well as maintaining and updating
pages. All information on the web site comes from various sources including
MISD staff, parents and students.
PowerSchool
This
unique software database helps teachers and staff keep track of vital
student information, everything from home address and contact information
to grades and attendance, and more. Access to PowerSchool is available
through the MISD website for parents and teachers. Any problems or questions
can be sent to PowerSupport@midlothian-isd.net.
To receive ID and password information, please call 972-723-4328.
Web
Pages and Images
The software to create the pages and images that make up the
MISD are the same used in the professional industry. The web site is created
and maintained through Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX. The images, logos
and photos on the site are made through Adobe's Illustrator and Photoshop,
as well as Macromedia's Fireworks and Flash (MX versions).
School
Web Pages
Campus web pages are updated and maintained by the district webmaster.
Information is provided to the webmaster from a designated campus contact
person or persons to help keep the community informed of news or fun events.
Some campuses have a secondary site that is controlled by teachers who
voluntarily work and update as they are needed.
Search
Engine
The
MISD Technology Department has spent numerous hours each week blocking
inappropriate sites and e-mail that occasionally slip past policies and
filters. Not to mention all the irrelevant sites that come up during a
simple search. With these issues in mind, a new search engine has been
added for our staff, students and parents. NetTrekker.com is an educationally
safe search engine that has been purchased to utilize in the District.
In school, staff and students have free access to safe content pertinent
to education. If parents and/or students would like to use this useful
tool from home, a simple registration is available.
MISD
IntraNet
Midlothian ISD uses a specialized intranet software package called FirstClass. Among
its versatile features are e-mail, posting boards (known as conferences)
and integrates into the district's web site One of its main uses, other
than e-mail, is giving staff and teachers the power to post information
to the MISD web. Our Homework Online, School News, Student Activities
and Announcements are some of the useful and relied sources of information
for parents and students.
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