TECHNOLOGY

An early childhood computer curriculum has been developed and integrated into our Head Start classroom program.  We use a library of software recommended for preschool children and provide teachers with hands-on computer training.

Computer training is available to all staff, parents and partners of Newark Preschool Council, Inc. To register, call the MIS department at (973) 848-5072. 

Article

Securing Your Computer 
By Gina Berry, Director of Management Information Systems

If you are not familiar with the computers or the internet, then you are certainly on the minority side. In today’s world computers have became a integral part of our life. Unfortunately, computers are objects that can be broken into, stolen, and misused.  I have listed some of the most important things you can do to keep your computer and your information safe at all times.

Things You Can Do To Improve Your Security

General
Turn off the computer when you're not using it, especially if you have an "always on" Internet connection.
Laptop security
Keep your laptop with you at all times when not at home; treat it as you would a wallet or purse. Regularly purge unneeded data files from your laptop. The same goes for PDAs. People tend to store more personal data--including passwords and PINs--on PDAs than they do on laptops.
Back up your data
Backup regularly. Back up to disk, tape or CD-ROM. There's a lot you can't defend against; a recent backup will at least let you recover from an attack. Store at least one set of backups off-site and at least one set on-site. Remember to destroy old backups. The best way to destroy CD-Rs is to microwave them on high for five seconds. You can also break them in half or run them through better shredders.
Antivirus and anti-spyware software
Use antivirus and anti-spyware software either as a combined program or two separate programs. Download and install the updates, at least weekly and whenever you read about a new virus in the news. Some antivirus products automatically check for updates. Enable that feature and set it to "daily."
Use a surge suppressor or UPS.  
Protect your computer by making sure your equipment is plugged into surge suppressors. You can also achieve a higher level of data integrity by plugging your equipment into an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Power problems can cause data loss, or can fry computer components.  A UPS is a device that will run on battery power for a short while after a power loss giving you extra time to properly shut down your computer after a power loss. (more tips)