A tail for e-mail

Students sharpen computer skills by writing favorite four-legged friend

Published Sunday, April 16, 2006

By Brian Knox

Students at Carson Elementary in Decatur have found a new way to communicate with their favorite four-legged friend.

Zoe the dog has been a familiar sight at the school for three years now. She usually can be found in the kindergarten classroom with her owner, Denise Joseph, or playing with kids during Friday's physical education classes.

And now "Carson's Favorite Dog," according to the school's Web page, has learned a new trick - e-mail.

The "E-mail Zoe" idea came from computer lab aide Kristi Smyers after Principal Lori Mabry wanted students to use their typing skills more in the classroom.

"I tried to think of a way that was creative and fun," Smyers said. "I asked my 13-year-old daughter who was sitting at a computer e-mailing her friends."

Smyers realized that e-mailing a friend would be a good way for students to practice those computer skills and help them develop writing skills. The only question was 'Who would be the friend?'

That's where Zoe came in.

"They decided since Zoe was Carson's most loved dog, they decided we could e-mail Zoe so kids can talk to her over the computer," third-grader Cody Reed explained.

With some help from the district's technology director, Troy Bagwell, a Web page was designed which links from the Carson Elementary Web page. Students can click on a photo of Zoe to link them to a page that asks them their name, teacher and their grade and allows them to write a message to Zoe.

The e-mails are sent to Joseph's computer, where she "assists" Zoe with her replies.

Joseph said Zoe receives about eight e-mails a day. Many of the e-mails have similar themes.

"She gets a lot of 'What is your favorite toy?,' 'Do you have a boyfriend?,' 'Who is your favorite teacher?'" Joseph said. "On Friday, Zoe gets to go to P.E. class with the students, so they are always writing about looking forward to seeing Zoe on Friday."

Sometimes the e-mails can address something more serious. Reed e-mailed Zoe about a problem he was having in one of his classes.

"I have a huge problem with some bullies. I hope you don't have a bully," Reed's e-mail said.

Smyers said that through the e-mail, teachers were able to find out about a bully problem Reed was having in a P.E. class. The problem was quickly addressed, and Zoe sent the following reply: "Thanks for writing, don't worry about the bully, it will be taken care of."

Joseph said the e-mails also serve as another tool of communication with students.

"It may be a way for kids to release a little anxiety or stress," she said. "It's a way to let us know what's going on and get some insight."

While most students e-mail from school, at least one young friend of Zoe found a way to send a message from home after she was injured.

When first-grader Riley Kelton stayed home one day, she e-mailed Zoe from her family's home computer about getting "a new puppy and that I fell down the stairs. I told Zoe my puppy's name and I told her what happened when I fell down the stairs," she said.

Zoe's replies are sent to Smyers who prints out two copies in a Microsoft Word document. One copy is placed on a board in the hallway and one copy is given to the student.

Judging by the number of replies stapled to the bulletin board, the E-mail Zoe project has been a success.

"It's been fun. The kids have enjoyed it," Smyers said.