An important new avenue of communications is opening in Roslyn with the introduction of the Roslyn School District's official site on the Internet. The new website was displayed at a meeting of the Board of Education last week, and can now be visited by everyone with access to the Internet (www.roslyn.k12.ny.us).

The Internet has been used by Roslyn's staff and students in a variety of ways for some time. When widespread use of the World Wide Web began a few years ago, teachers with a particular interest in the new technology began to access the Internet to garner information for class lessons and school projects. With the exponential growth of the Internet suggesting that it is a communications tool that will be with us for a long time to come, more formalized instruction of both faculty and students in the effective and appropriate use of this remarkable technology has been implemented throughout our schools.

For example, all fifth-, sixth- and eighth-grade teachers now receive specific training in Internet use, and all classes on those grade levels participate in lessons in which students use the Internet for in-class projects. Internet access is also available in our school libraries and a number of computer lab settings. Within the next few months, accounts will be established for every individual pupil in the Roslyn Middle School and High School enabling students to access the Internet in school through the district's server, Long Island Net. Wiring that was installed during the Long-Term Building Improvement Plan will provide additional points of access in learning spaces throughout our school buildings, as well as facilitate the expansion of local area computer networks.

The school district has committed several million dollars to the introduction and enhancement of computer technology during the last few years, and will continue its commitment to this vital area of education. We have worked diligently to secure state and federal grants to help support our technology program, and have worked closely with organizations such as the Roslyn Hilltop Educational Foundation and the newly established Foundation for the Advancement of Student Technology (F.A.S.T.) to bring additional resources to this program. F.A.S.T. hosted its first event earlier this week, at which the head of Microsoft for the New York region spoke about what his company sees as the future direction of technology in education.

Last year's re-establishment of the District Technology Committee has also given additional impetus to the enhancement of educational technology. Recognizing that there are many members of our community as well as staff who have expertise in this field, the school district invited all interested residents to participate. More than 50 people answered the call. The committee has spent many long hours working on a number of important issues related to the application of computer technology in our schools. Input into the development of the district's website was one of their tasks.

Roslyn's website provides a broad range of information. From general data about the schools to links to sites that students can use for school assignments to an online version of the Scope newsletter, the website is a highly flexible and adaptable medium that will enable us to keep our community informed in a timely manner. For example, we will now be able to make inclement weather announcements on our website about school closings or delayed openings very early in the morning, even before the television and radio stations can broadcast them.

Like all websites, Roslyn's is a work in progress. If you log on right now, you will find that some pages are still in development. The inherent nature of this technology means that, to a certain extent, this will always be the case. The website is never truly "finished" because new information can be added to it constantly. The suggestions of our Technology Committee and many other residents will also help to shape the website as we move forward.

Visit us online at www.roslyn.k12.ny.us. Send us an email (roslynsd@li.net) and let us know what you think. We care about your opinion and want to hear from you.