English Writing Lab

Lab Rules

Every student is required to sign, and have his or her parent sign, a Computer Use Student Use Contract before they are allowed to use the lab each year.  This contract was part of the student handbook, for which parents signed a form during registation.

There is no candy, food or drink allowed in the lab -- and no pushing, shoving or horseplay. Students who tamper with the equipment or wiring in any way are charged for repairs (currently $40 per hour for labor + materials) and if the damage is done on purpose, they lose their privilege of using the lab for the rest of the year. See our Student Use Contract for further details.

No disks are allowed from home unless they are first virus-checked by the lab aide. Using a disk from home, without permission, is prohibited in this lab.

Lab Equipment and Software

We use laser printers.

We recently purchased The Rosetta Stone English program, which can be used by students who do not speak English as their native tongue, to help them become more proficient in the English language.  This program is currently located, and being used by, the ESL lab down by the library.

Internet access is available on the computers in the lab. Students with a legitimate research need are allowed to use it.  We do not allow students to use the Internet for entertainment, surfing, or games.

The PLATO program has been licensed for five computers (soon to be eleven computers) and is used for after-school make-up time (for excessive absences).  It is also used by classes, for reinforcement of concepts being taught.  Students are welcome to use the PLATO program for their own study, for improving their vocabulary, for preparing for college and ACT exams, and for preparation for the job market.  The CHOICES program also assists students in this area.  Since there is little time to use these programs during school, students are welcome to come into the lab whenever it is open before school hours.  Check with the lab supervisor, Mrs. Archibald,  for more information.

Several scholarship forms, offered at our school, have been computerized with OMNIFORM. This allows a student to fill the form out on the computer. Other scholarship forms will be computerized as time permits. Check with the lab aide for a list of computerized forms available.

There are many resources available on the Internet for teachers and students. Some of the best links are listed in the table on our Writing Lab Home Page. Check them out.

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