Aimee Kelly

SLM 521

Spring 2004

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I’m so pleased to start off the year with your child in my class. I’m sure we are going to have a fantastic year. I’m sure you’re aware of how many “set-up” tasks need to be completed at the beginning of the year. One of the most important things that we cover is policy for Internet use in the classroom.

I’m sure you know about the vast amount of knowledge the Internet holds and also the dangers that lurk there. The Internet is an incredible teaching tool. With it, we can travel around the world, meet experts, and access more information than could possible fit in our library. As it is such a great learning tool, we need to deal with the negatives of the medium so that we may benefit from it.

As I seek to pursue learning in a safe environment with the Internet as a tool, I, with the help of the school:

§ Closely monitor students when they are using the Internet,

§ Have software that filters out inappropriate material and websites,

§ Create specific links so that each time a student accesses the Internet, there is no danger of them typing incorrectly and stumbling onto a questionable website,

§ Review at the beginning of the year and repeat throughout what a student should do if they encounter anything that makes them uneasy, and

§ Have students and parents read and sign an Internet Use Agreement.

The Internet Use Agreement is coming home for you to review with your student today. Please review it and sign it together this week and send it back to school. I want to stress to students how important it is that they treat the technology with respect and use it appropriately. You can help to reinforce this.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I consider this a great step because children need to know how important these ideas are. You might even want to consider drawing up your own agreement with your child at home.

Thanks Again,

Mrs. Kelly