Carol Briggs

SLM 521

July 3, 2009

 

Elective #10: Safety Online

 

 

Letter to Parents:

 

 

Dear Parents/Guardians:

 

 

The internet can be a wonderful educational resource but, as we all know from news stories, there can be dangers as well.  The school system is committed to providing safe access to the internet for students while they are at school.  Students are taught internet safety and sign internet safety use guidelines every year.  Those internet safety use guidelines are attached to this letter.  We encourage parents and students to talk about the guidelines together and then sign them. 

 

In addition to internet safety and internet guidelines, the school system has a blocking filter on all computers in all of the schools.  This internet filter helps to block students from inappropriate content on the web.

 

During class, students are guided to particular appropriate sites for assignments.  Staff carefully supervise the students use of the internet by both being physically present and using software called SynchronEyes, which helps staff monitor students' internet use. Students are never in a computer lab without supervision.

 

To find out more about internet safety in our schools, please see this brochure online:

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/info/cybersafety/CyberSafety.pdf

 

If you have additional questions or would like additional internet safety resources, please contact me.

 

Thank you.

 

                                                                        Sincerely,

 

 

                                                                        Carol Briggs

 

 

 

 

 

Internet Safety Use Guidelines for Students:

 

 

  • Don't give out personal or identifying information online.  This means do not provide anyone with your name, home address, phone number, or school name.

 

  • Tell a staff person if you come across anything on the internet that makes you uncomfortable or seems suspicious.  Students should not be in chat rooms chatting with people they do not know.  If a student comes across a person online requesting a face to face meeting, the student should inform a staff person right away.

 

  • School computers are for educational use only.  School computers are not for social networking, shopping, etc. Students should be on appropriate websites. Students can loose their computer privileges at school for repeatedly visiting  inappropriate websites.

 

 

 

Student's Signature: ______________________________________

 

 

Parent's / Guardian's Signature:_____________________________