Hi! My name is Mr. Zarate, aka: Mr. Z, as many of the students and staff know me. This blog will contain information about what we are doing in the computer lab, Room B-3, at Union House. You may come back and check from time to time, or better yet, subscribe to the blog and whenever there are updates, you’ll get an automatic notification via email that there is new news to be viewed.

Technology is becoming a more essential component of education. From our SmartBoards, to classroom computers, to grade level (4, 5 and 6) Chromebooks, to the Internet, to the Computer Lab, to the annual assessment of students, more and more technology is coming into your child’s life at school. They are surrounded by it, they use it, they create with it… Our students must become savvy not just in the “how-to” aspect, but also in being wise, prudent and aware users. We work hard here to help this happen at school, with internet citizenry instruction along with many opportunities to use technology in a safe and structured environment.

We know kids love technology. They are naturally inclined to explore and experiment, to be curious and to seek new information and skills. Technology just seems to be an extension of their minds, their adventure-seeking nature, and at times of their very self! Our job, as educators and parents, is to nurture that natural curiosity and to make sure that their explorations happens in a safe environment.

Please do not hesitate to ask questions of your child about technology at school, to send questions to me or your child’s teacher about technology and to encourage your child to use our Student Favorites at home.