Amanda Bannigan

Safety Elective

11-7-2004

 

The two letters found on this page address safety issues related to student use of the internet.  The first letter is a sample of a letter that can be sent home to parents to inform them of the policies of the school.  The second letter is to students.  The letter is a contract that they must sign in order to be able to use the internet during the school year. Feel free to copy and paste any portions of these letters for your own use within the classroom.                                                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

Imaginary Middle School

                                                                                          123 Letter Lane

                                                                                          Funtown, MD   11111

 

                                                                                                                                                                                    September 2004

 

 

Dear Parent/Guardian,

 

          This year in my class, your child will be using the internet to complete various assignments and projects.  I am fully aware of the dangers that exist in using the internet and that some material that is out there is inappropriate for your children to view.  Both the school and myself have created various policies to keep your child safe on the internet. 

          The main emphasis of the school is for students to always log-on to their assigned computer using their personal log-in and password.  They are encouraged not to share this password or log-in with any other student.  Students are also monitored while using the internet and are required to log-off after every time they access the computers.

         

I have set up more strict regulations while the students are under my guidance in the computer lab.  The following rules/guidelines will apply:

         

1.) Students will only use websites given to them by their teacher.

          2.) If students wish to use a search engine to find additional sites, they will only

use one provided by the teacher.

3.) Students will have internet evaluation sheets for each site they obtain

information from in order to determine the validity of the site.

3.) Students will not give out their name, phone number, address, or e-mail

address anywhere online without discussing it and showing the site to the instructor first.

4.) If students receive questionable messages or e-mails, they will notify their instructor immediately. 

 

Any student who is caught violating any of these rules will be given a warning on the first offense.  The second office will cause the child to be removed from his/her computer for the remainder of the class period.  The third time the child disobeys the regulations, he/she will be permanently removed from the computer lab and will be required to use the computer in a one-on-one setting in the time-out room. 

 

 

          Following this letter is a form which all students will be required to sign.  It is their contract with their teacher which states that they will follow the rules and regulations for using the internet and that they understand the punishments for not following these rules.  We have reviewed the form in the classroom, and we ask that you also review it with your student.  If you have any questions regarding the form, please contact me via note, telephone, or e-mail.  Any student who does not sign the contract will not be allowed to use the internet until it has been signed.

 

I look forward to a successful year with your child.  Together we can foster an environment ripe for learning and development.

 

                                                                                                                        Thank You!

 

                                                                     

 

Students,

 

Welcome to a brand new school year!  We hope you are ready to learn and have a great year.  This year we have a brand new computer lab with internet access.  You will have many opportunities to use this great new resource, but there will be some rules to follow.  Read through the following rules and then take the form home to your parents and read over it again.  You and your parents need to sign the form and return it to your homeroom teachers as soon as possible!  Once the form is returned, you will have permission from the school to surf the web!!

 

 

2004-2005 GUIDLEINES FOR INTERNET USE:

 

1- I will only use sites provided to me by my teacher.

2- If I want to search for additional sites, I will only use search engines given to me by my teacher.

3- I will evaluate any site I choose to use with the given form and will turn in the form with my assignment.

4- I understand that the same rules for plagiarism from books also apply to the internet.

5- I will not give out any person information about myself.

6- If I receive any material from an unknown source, I will report it to the instructor at once.

7- If I come upon an obscene site, I will report it to the teacher immediately.

 

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Punishments for not following these rules will be:

 

1st Offense: verbal and written warning to the student

 

2nd Offense: removal from the computer lab for the remainder of the period and a telephone call home

 

3rd Offense: permanent removal from the computer lab and a letter home to your parents (written by the student)

 

 

 

I, ___________________________________, pledge that I have read and understand these guidelines and punishments.  I have reviewed the information with my teacher and a parent.  I agree to abide by these rules for the 2004-2005 school year.

 

 

X___________________________     ________________________________

   Student Signature             Printed Student Name

 

X__________________________      _______________________________

   Parent Signature              Printed Parent Name

 

 

 

Daytime Phone Number for Parent: (_____)-______-_________