Reasons for the Rule: This year there's only one rule. It's the same rule Ms. Hagen uses. It basically encompasses all of the normal rules in classrooms. Unless you are one of my Kindergarten students, you all have 1 to 8 years experience with those rules. In other words, you know how to behave in a classroom. The focus is on learning. When the teacher is talking, you are listening. When you have an assignment, you are working. When you finish, you work on other school work. Follow the teacher's instructions and the class procedures.

My goal is for you to learn new things and enjoy learning. I will do my best to always treat each of you with respect and dignity. I also expect each of you to do your best to treat me with respect and dignity.

Procedures are the specific way we do things in class. I may add or change procedures depending on the circumstances. The procedures also vary somewhat depending on the grade level of the students. Here are some important ones.

1. Come into Class quietly and take your assigned seat.
2. In grades 3 to 8 start Typing Master immediately. Work silently.
3. Once I say Typing Master is done (usually about ten minutes) I will tell you what you are going to do that day. It is very important that you are silent and listening carefully at this time. Don't use, watch, or touch the computer, monitor, mouse or keyboard during this time.
4. If you have a question or comment, please raise your hand and wait to be called on.
5. Once I have you start working on an assignment I will usually let you talk quietly so you can help each other if needed. Talk in a low volume voice.
6. If you need to get out of your seat, please raise your hand and wait to be called on to ask me permission. For certain common requests, I have hand signals so you do not have to ask out loud. To go to the restroom, raise your right hand with your index finger and your middle finger intertwined. This is the letter R in American Sign Language and stands for restroom. If I am granting your request I will nod my head up and down. If I am denying your request, I will nod back and forth. To ask to sharpen your pencil (rare in Computer Class) raise up one finger. To ask to get a tissue, hold up two fingers.
7. Try and go to the restroom during breaks and not during class. If you have to use the restroom during class, please signal as indicated above. When you are given permission, please sign out on the sheet at the back of the class. Sign back in when you return. Use the back door.
8. You may bring a water bottle to class. Make sure the top is closed to avoid any spills around the computer. Other liquids are not allowed. I do not generally allow you to go get a drink at the drinking fountain during class.
9. If I give you permission to go to the office or outside the senior yard, you must have a yellow pass slip. Fill it out. I will then sign it.
10. You are dismissed by me, and not the bell. When I dismiss you, quietly push in your chair and leave quietly. In most classes you will leave by the back door. (Exception - 5th grade leaves by the front door.)
11. Please put in waste paper in the blue recycling bin. All other trash, including tissues and paper towels, must be put in the trash can. I generally do not give you permission to get out of your seat to throw things away. Instead, wait until you are leaving class.
12. If you are finished with all computer class assignments, you should work on Typing Master, First in Math (Grades 3-5) or use the computer for work in other classes. No games, Dashboard, email, social networking sites, etc.

1. Store on school or other designated server.
2. Store on your flash drive.
3. May not use email for any purpose.
4. May store your school work product only.

There are detailed requirements that you must follow set forth in the "Computer Acceptable Use Policy, Computer Responsibility Contract." You are required to read and sign that document. Please be sure you are using the school's computers only for specific educational purposes in connection with your studies at SMA. Use email, social networking sites, games, widgets, Dashboard, Photo Booth, etc. on your own computer at home with your parent's permission. Follow the "Ten Commandments of Ethical Computer Use" at e.g., http://www.tekmom.com/tencommand/index.html.

We will go over how to save things onto the School's Server. Detailed instructions are also posted in the Computer Room. The server is the safest place to store things. As indicated above, you may also use flash drives. You may not use email.

At SMA we use the 16 Basic Social Skills developed at Boys Town. These social skills are posted in the Computer Room. They are also summarized at the Boys Town Parenting.org site together with the reasons for the skill. The skills are a way for us to live in harmony and follow God's Law of Love. You are expected to know and use these 16 skills. If you fail to follow a skill, I will let you know, instruct you how to follow it in the future, and as necessary give you a consequence.

I will give consequences for not following the class rule, procedures, social skills or the school rules. Consequences will be based on the situation, prior violations, the needs of the individual student, and the needs of the class. Consequences may include a warning, discussion, reflecting on the behavior in writing, an apology letter, loss of a privilege, time spent with the teacher outside of class, emails home, behavior citations, discussions with parents and referral of the matter to the principal.