Protocol, Technology & Computers

• Purpose:  The Writing Center is a facility and service of the English Department which provides students a computer lab in which to work on their writing projects and other assignments from English, Social Studies, and other disciplines at the high school.
• Hardware & Equipment: 

        32 HP computers equipped with CD-DVD players/burners.

          Hewlett-Packard high speed laser printers – 1 black, 1 color

          There is an HP scanner at the teacher's desk in the Writing Center, as well as in the library.

          The Writing Center also provides an additional classroom area for group presentations.  An overhead data projector is installed for teachers’

          computer presentations. 

          Students may use the facilities for quiet study and work.

• Software:

Windows© XP Professional; Microsoft applications including Word©, Excel©, PowerPoint©, FrontPage©, Publisher©; CD burning program; and Inspiration©, a visual guide for diagramming and outlining writing project.  An open source software suite called OpenOffice© is installed on all computers, allowing reading and writing from and to other popular office productivity suites.

• Writing Center Services:

The Writing Center Coordinator is on duty every day from 7:00 A.M. until 2:30 P.M. 

The staff member on duty provides support for computer hardware and software questions.  In addition the staff member will assist you with your writing project, which includes reading and editing your paper and advising you on elements such as proper completion of your assignment, your writing style, vocabulary, sentence and paragraph structure, and various other criteria for a successful essay.  Students are requested to make appointments for assistance, however “walk-ins” are allowed as well.

Student assistants and peer tutors will also be available during some periods of the day.

• Writing Center Protocol:
  • Food and drink are never allowed in the Writing Center
  • The Writing Center is a facility for school work and study.  Normal classroom atmosphere and noise levels will be maintained at all time.
  • All students must have their student I.D. to use the facilities. 
  • STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO LOG IN TO THE SCHOOL NETWORK ONLY WITH THEIR OWN I.D. AND PASSWORD.  LOGGING IN TO ANOTHER STUDENT’S NETWORK FOLDER IS A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF SCHOOL POLICY, AND IS SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
  • CELLULAR PHONES ARE BANNED AT ALL TIMES IN THE WRITING CENTER AND THROUGHOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
  • Passes are required for those coming from class or study hall.  Passes are not required for those on open periods or lunch.
  • All users of the lab must sign in at the book on the Coordinator’s desk. 
  • Computers are available only for school-related work.  No game playing, recreational internet browsing, loud music, or recreational video viewing are allowed. 
  • Students must not use the writing center as a pass-through between the cafeteria and library.

David Sprehe

Writing Center Coordinator

847 540-4198

Email: david.sprehe@lz95.org