ZenWorks List Serve

Aaron is putting together a mailing list for everyone who is interested in participating.You will receive notifiation of updates, changes, and removals to the software. It will provide a forum for exchanging ideas for using the software - and allow you to communicate problems etc... Please contact Aaron if you are interested in becoming a member. Members may be polled for software topics for additional purchases.

We have added Math Traveler for grades 4, 5, and 6.

Results of the Home Buy Survey are In!

47% of the people who responded indicated an interest in the basic configuration. 56% of the respondents indicated an interest in the high end configuration. It is our intention to offer both configurations in the Home Buy that will be offered this spring. Stay tuned for more information! We are hoping to have printers and flat screen monitors available as well.

Audit Software

We have purchased and installed AuditWizard on our network. Most of you have participated in the audit process with your classroom computers. This will allow us to keep a database of software titles and licenses - creating a more efficient tracking method.

Tech Support has New Techies

We have two new techies in the Tech Center. JoAnn Beers and Ryan Landis have joined our team.

Our current techies include Dan Feilner, Joe Salzer, Drew Lange, Joanne and Ryan.

To report a technical problem and request a visit from the Tech Team - visit http://irm.pekin.net.

From McAfee to Norton

For the past several years we have used McAffee's Virus Scan as our virus protection software. Many of you many have noticed the techies in your building - working on every machine. We are in the process of uninstalling McAfee and installing Norton on every computer in the district. Norton's Anti-Virus Protection offers more services and allows us to configure for automatic updating each week. We are hoping the move will provide better coverage and protection for our machines and your data.

Filtering Update

Due to the fact that we use the Illinois Century Network for our internet connection, we are required to have internet filtering set up by July 2002. We are in the first stages of testing our solution. Lisa has been working with SquidGuard, the first step in implementing our filtering software.

Our Phone System

Each certified staff member should have a phone and voice mail accessible in their room. If you are having problems visit irm.pekin.net. Enter phone as the computer name, select your school and report your problem.

Easier Communication Between School and Home

Now that I have a phone in my classroom and voice mail - how can I use it to enhance communication between the home and school? Set up a homework hotline. Students and parents can call in to hear a recording of a list of the day's or week's homework from any telephone. You can alert parents and students to any planned class activities, such as field trips.

A Look at What Is Coming Up