Rumor Mill-5009
Published April
The purpose of this section is to answer any questions parents, teachers or community members might have regarding the school district and to set the record straight in regards to any rumors that might be circulating. If you have a question or have heard a rumor that you would like for us to address, simply SEND US your questions and we will respond to them in upcoming issues of IN FOCUS. Below are some of the questions we received since our last issue.
This question is in regards to a recent survey the district conducted regarding BYOT. The largest responding group to the survey says their child will be bringing a Smart Phone to school. The school has no firewall or site blocking for 3G and 4G access by smart phones - so full access to FB, texting, any website. Yet they have strict firewall blocking for the school computers and any WiFi device. What logic are they using here?! They said the teacher will just "have to watch what the kids are accessing." What a mess for the teachers. If no block is needed for 3G/4G access, then they should remove the firewall blocks on the WiFi access, right?
Williamson County students and their parents currently sign an acceptable use agreement governing use of technology at school. The purpose of this agreement is to assure that users recognize the procedures and policies the district imposes on the use of Internet, electronic media resources, and release of student information. Williamson County Board of Education policy requires that users agree to abide by the Williamson County Schools Computer Guidelines, the Children’s Online Protection Act, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, and the Children’s Internet Protection Act, as well as laws pertaining to stalking, harassment, and bullying. This requirement, of course, will not change.
School rules require that students use the WCS guest network to access the Internet when at school, and they prohibit students from logging onto 3G or 4G devices. Doing so will continue to be considered a disciplinary infraction. Students will be able to access all needed resources, files, and their own Google Docs files through the district’s network.
Williamson county teachers and other staff members continually monitor their students and their use of resources and technology while they are in instructional settings. That’s just a part of good teaching. We anticipate that they will continue to help students make good choices as a part of the BYOT initiative.
Are the schedules and locations for summer school available yet? I would like to know when Algebra I will be offered.
Information regarding 2012 Summer School can be found online at http://www.wcs.edu/schools/summer_school.htm.
Last summer several schools were open during certain times for library hours. My family really enjoyed our weekly trips to story time and having the chance to check out new books as well as participate in the Accelerated Reader program. Will this be the case again this year? If so, which schools will participate?
This is a site based decision. Parents will need to contact the individual school to find out if they plan to open their library this summer.12, 2012