"While others talk about technology, we use it."

Dear Parents,

     As part of Imagination Integration we will provide the opportunity for each student in the class to have their own e-mail account. I  have in past years had great success in using a free service offered by ePals (www.epals.com). This initiative, ePals, is intended to help schools that have Internet access offer their students individual e-mail accounts at no charge; student accounts will show announcements and information of interest to young students. ePals is working with the educational community to determine what types of announcements are appropriate and acceptable. A sponsorship model similar to that used for public radio is also being considered to provide an opportunity for corporate sponsors to participate in the program.

E-mail for everyone. E-mail provides an opportunity for students to learn in an interesting way very quickly and easily by sharing ideas and experiences in rich multimedia form with other people worldwide. Your child can e-mail a short story to an online magazine, participate in a youth forum, share traditions with a school on another continent, or e-mail their government representative. As parents of participant students you can obtain a free ePals account as well, enabling all educational participants to benefit from the use of e-mail as a communications tool.

Full Multimedia Capabilities. A full-featured e-mail service, ePals supports spell checking, a personal address book, and a customizable user interface. A file exchange feature allows students to share electronic documents and multimedia files such as maps, graphics, music, video and animation. ePals transforms e-mail from a simple, text-based communication to a rich, interactive and "live" communications tool.

Access from Anywhere. Your child can be accessed their e-mail account from any PC or terminal connected to the Internet's World Wide Web. Your child can use ePals from home, in school, at the library, while on a school break, at a friend's house -- anywhere they have web access.

Online Support. ePals' online helpdesk is one of the most helpful and kid-friendly we have seen. It interactively guides your child through a series of questions that leads them to the appropriate help information. Of course, we will always be available to assist them when needed.

What can your child do with E-mail? Here are a few ideas to start...

Ask an Expert

Do your students have a question on anything from the Amish to Zoo Keeping? There are many sites (most easily found at Yahooligans (www.yahooligans.com) where they can e-mail a variety of experts on a variety of topics. For example, they can select from over 12 categories with over 300 web sites and e-mail addresses where they can find experts to answer their questions at Ask an Expert (www.askanexpert.com/askanexpert).

Participate in an Online Forum

Forums are a great way for students to communicate with other students on any of a wide variety of topics. For example, your students can network with other young writers, exchange ideas, writing tips, etc at The Young Writers Forum (http://writersbbs.com/BBS/bbs_forum.cgi?forum=young_writers).

Get Published Online

Many young community-oriented websites publish online magazines that offer students an opportunity to e-mail their stories, creations, reviews, thoughts or ideas. For example, CyberKids (www.cyberkids.com) regularly publish online magazines that include student art, articles, and reviews.

Join a Young Community Mailing List

By joining a young community e-mail list, students will get a regularly scheduled e-mail to tell them about new and exciting things on the Web for their age group. You might want to check out Young Community Extra (www.youthcentral.apple.com) created and distributed by Apple.

Participate in an Online Contest

There are many daily online contests, including crossword puzzles, vocabulary, and trivia contests for students to participate via e-mail. As a place to start, Syndicate.com (www.syndicate.com) has a free monthly vocabulary game contest.

E-mail Pen Pal Program with another School

As more and more schools are wired and can provide e-mail accounts to students, there is a growing opportunity for e-mail pen pals (keypals). Students can share stories, experiences, voice recordings, pictures, etc all via e-mail.

I am very excited about this great opportunity for your child. Please complete, with your child, the Account Set-up form, cut at the dotted line, and return it as soon as possible to establish your child’s own e-mail account. Please contact me should you have any questions.

E-mail Account Set-up Information

First Name________________ Last Name ______________________________

Home or other e-mail address, if you have one: ___________________________

Choose a login name _______________________@epals.com

We are using first name, and last initial if there is someone else in the class with the same first name.(e.g. alan@epals.com or pattye@epals.com)

Choose a password _____________ Rewrite that password ____________

Numbers and letters only. Minimum 3 characters.

Password Hint: This will allow you to be reminded of your password should you forget it. What is your mother's maiden name? ___________________________

In order to retrieve your password from the web you will need the answer to this question as well as your birth date.

Date of Birth ________________(format: MM/DD/YY e.g., 01/23/97)

I authorize the establishment and use of ePals for my child. I understand that under no circumstances will my child’s last name or personal information be released. This release will augment the school district’s Acceptable Use Policy.

Parent/Guardian Signature ____________________________ Date __________