The computer won't connect to the network:
Try restarting the computer while holding Apple, Option, P, and R keys until the startup screen appears, if that doesn't work then it may be a problem with the network itself and not the computer

In such a case the only thing to do would be to inform the server administrator about the problem and see if they can resolve it

Creating a mail account:
(For OS 9) Click on the Mail icon on the desktop, when Outlook Express loads click on Tools in the upper bar, select Accounts, enter the information for the account given to you by the School District, and for the mail servers enter mail.phila.k12.pa.us

(For OS X) Click on the mail icon in the Applications folder and follow the above steps for when Outlook Express loads

(For Windows) Click on the Outlook express icon in the taskbar on the bottom of the screen and follow the steps gien in the OS 9 description for when Outlook Express loads

To check your email click the Send/Receive button