RE: [info-tech] Questions of student email

[Richardson, Kevin]

Vicki   At Estherville Lincoln Central our students had email accounts when I came to the district.  It was a nightmare!!!  First of all, students were emailing each other from English class to Computer Apps class and not working – this happened a lot.  Second of all network traffic was taking a hit due student sending pictures (usually inappropriate one) and animation to each other.  Thirdly I was subpoenaed (more than once) by the sheriff’s department because of illegal activity involving email from students (drug deals, harassment of other students, and more).  And lastly it was a big waste of technology time, money, and resources.   We did away with student email accounts a couple of years ago and prohibit the use of web based email by students.  All the problems experienced before have gone away.  We did have a few staff members who felt it was vital for students to have email (even though 87% of our students have home email and know how to do it).  There was enough fussing about it that we have been looking for an alternative.  We found Gagglenet (www.gaggle.net).  It is an internet based email designed for students.  We will be implementing it this fall for our high school students.  WE have TOTAL control over the student accounts.  Our students will be only able to send and receive email from a school staff person; NOT other students or anyone on the outside.  Also the student email is scanned for inappropriate material and will automatically send the email to the principal or tech person.  This service can be free; we paid $100 to have our own domain name (you pay $100 per year – cheap compared to what it was before).   Kevin Richardson, Technology Director Estherville Lincoln Central Community Schools   -----Original Message----- From: Vicki Johnson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, June 09, 2003 2:06 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [info-tech] Questions of student email   Our school district is trying to decide which way is the best way to go as far as email for students.  I have heard that some schools have no email at all for the students.  How does this work.  We have talked about email for 8-12 graders, and no hotmail,etc.  My high school students would rather have hotmail, etc instead of the school email.  Give me some input as to what your school district does. Thanks   Vicki Johnson Technology Coordinator Prairie Valley High School 515-352-5540 [EMAIL PROTECTED]