The science department has implemented the science computer lab rules for the protection of your children and for the protection of our computers. “Why is this protection needed if your child is supervised,” you may ask. Unfortunately, in this new age of Internet use, there are predators that will attempt to contact your child both at home and at school through internet prompts. Please be aware that the school system has installed filtering software that guards against pornography, obscene language, obscene images and other materials. However as this technology is progressing so are the attempts of computer programmers to bypass these filters. Your child will be highly supervised at all times in the computer lab. At any time your child is prompted to give out personal information or if an inappropriate window pops up, it is the responsibility of the student to report it to the teacher immediately.
Each time your child uses the science computer lab they are expected to have a clear understanding of what they are to accomplish in the lab. Your child is responsible for the entire computer station, they are required to check in and check out all equipment as well as report any problems. They are permitted to use only those sites that have been assigned. At no time may your child communicate through instant messages, bulletin boards, chat rooms, e-mail, radio, downloading software, games, or music in the science computer lab. At no time are they permitted to give out personal information such as their name, phone number, sex, age, or location (commonly referred to as “asl?” by computer users.) There is no web-site that my students visit that would require them to reveal any additional information about themselves. If a student receives a prompt asking for this sort of information it is their responsibility to report it to me immediately.
At the beginning of the semester your child will bring to you a packet of information, which is to be signed by you. Included in that packet is the computer use agreement form. Make sure that you and your child review the policies and sign the agreement sheet. The school system will be sending home computer use cards to filled out and returned. Your child will not be allowed to use the computers in the science lab unless those forms are signed by you and returned to the proper authorities.
And finally, horseplay and vandalism will no be tolerated. Violation of the computer lab rules may result in computer privileges being revoked for the semester or possibly longer depending upon the infraction and restitution.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at school or contact the guidance office for a conference. I thank you for your time and support. Let’s all have a safe and successful semester.
Sincerely,
Mr. Gregory