Students Receive GMail Accounts

This year RRISD has introduced Google Apps for Education, GAFE, for elementary students in grades 2-5. These accounts give students access to an email account and Gooogle Apps that include Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Sites, and the Chrome Store. 

Student activity is monitored using a tool called Gaggle which will let teachers and administrators know if problems arise. Student accounts are for educational purposes only.
 
Students may use their Google Drive accounts to work on some of their assignments at home and to work collaboratively with their peers. Teachers can communicate easily with students and give them specific and timely feedback.
 
Here are some of the capabilities:

• Gmail: Students may email their teachers. Currently, student to student email is disabled, and students cannot be emailed by anyone outside RRISD.

• Google Drive: Students can create, edit, and collaborate on documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and drawings with their teachers and peers. Google Drive is available anywhere the student has access to the internet.

• Google Calendar: Students may create and use electronic calendars.

• Google Sites: Students may create web sites that are managed by RRISD.

• Chrome Store: District approved apps and extensions are available in the Chrome Store. These educational apps may be added to enhance productivity and student achievement.

The fun part of all this is to see the students' total involvement when we introduce it to them. Mrs. Gros sent a letter to all her students.  Read her email to her students below and the precious reply she received.

Hello My Sweet Second Graders,

I am excited to tell you that you have your very own school e-mail account to use for learning at school.  I think this is going to be a fun way to learn at home and school. Please respond to me and send me a note! 

Love,
Mrs. Gros

Student's actual reply:  

dear Mrs.Gros,

Thank you Ms.Gros for letting me have my first Gmail acount! I love you!