We're starting to hear TV news stories about the upcoming flu season, urging listeners to make sure to wash hands with soap and get their vaccinations for the flu and the H1N1 virus. We all know how viruses can be shared through door knobs and telephones, but did you know that computer keyboards, trackballs, and mice are also a threat? This is especially true for shared computers, both at home and in the workplace. Here are some hints to help keep virus-sharing under control for a shared computer environment:

• Instead of using cleaning sheets to wipe down your equipment (which are not recommended for electronics), pick up an inexpensive box of alcohol prep pads at any drug or discount store. They are not dripping with alcohol, but they are saturated and can be used to wipe down the keys and input devices and help control germs. Be sure to clean your keyboard before you boot your computer.
• Institute a rule that everyone must wash hands thoroughly before using the computer, using soap and water and NOT just the sanitary gels. When I'm helping my youngest students to wash their hands before class, I ask them to show me their bubbles so that I can pop them (which we all love) and I know that they'll have the soap on their hands long enough for it to do its job.
• If you have small fry at home, keep an eye on their behavior, because if their fingers stray to their noses while they're on the computer, you'll want to send them back to the bathroom to wash again!

So, get in the habit before the flu season kicks into full gear! You'll be glad you did!

CompuChild Services of America, Inc is pleased to announce a new partnership with PeeWeePC. Their desktop and laptop computers are made with children in mind - rugged, lightweight, with security software included. CompuChild families who are interested in purchasing a PeeWeePC computer can get an additional discount by using special CompuChild discount codes. If you're interested, contact me for more information!

Hello Friends!
I've had a lot of inquiries lately about the adult class schedule, so it's time to provide an update. The calendar is still forming, but will include both weekly evening classes AND Saturday morning workshops, offering adult students a choice of how they'd like to learn.

In addition, classes for school-age students will also be on the calendar, helping them to learn how to use their computers as tools, and not just for music, videos, and games.

So, stay tuned - the calendar will be updated shortly.

Greetings, Parents & Friends,
Every year I return from the CompuChild national meeting feeling invigorated and energized. As a CompuChild franchisee and program director, I have the freedom to develop and teach my own curriculum, which I develop based upon my own training as a teacher and my experience as a computer scientist, but I also have access to resources and curriculum made available through the national company. The national meeting is where new materials are released, new programs are announced, program directors share their successes and lessons learned, and each of us who attends comes back to our own businesses with new ideas and material. It's the perfect time of year for that, as we're preparing to start the new school year!

So, much as I appreciate the positive feedback I receive from parents, teachers, school owners and directors, and others, I believe that good is never good enough, and there's always room to improve the services and education that RI Computer Learning Services, and CompuChild Rhode Island, provides. You'll be seeing some improvements and positive changes in the new school year!

Hello, Friends and Family,
I'm excited to be at the Annual CompuChild National Meeting, this year in Charlotte, NC. It's a great opportunity for CompuChild program directors from all over the nation to get together, learn from each other, promote growth in the company, and get to know each other.

Best regards, and I'll see you all soon!
Robin

The June 2009 issue of CompuChild Chatter is now available on the Publications page of our site. There is also a new parent handout with information about viewing the PowerPoint presentations that are available for download on CompuChild family school pages.