Mr. Winner’s 4^th Grade Safety Agreement

We will be using a lot of technology in our lessons and activities this school year. Before allowing you to use such tools in my classroom, I feel it is essential to review some safety guidelines to ensure your safety and the safety of your classmates while working on the Internet.

Please review the following safety list. Read each item carefully and sign your initials on the line to acknowledge you understand and agree to follow the safety rule. If you do not understand a rule, please ask Mr. Winner for clarification.

Initials Safety Rule

___________ 1. I understand that the use of the Internet is a privilege and not a right. If I abuse that privilege, it will be taken away from me.

___________ 2. I will use the Internet as directed by my teacher at all times. I will only go to the websites approved by the teacher and I understand that its school use is for educational purposes.

___________ 3. I will never give out any personal information including my full name, street address, or telephone number, or the information of a classmate or friend. This also includes information about the school itself.

___________ 4. I will use the Internet politely and with respect at all times for other people and for the hardware and software I am using.

___________ 5. I will tell my teacher right away if anything on the Internet makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

I have read and understand the safety rules of Internet use in Mr. Winner’s class. I will abide by them at all times for my safety and the safety of my classmates.

_____________________________ _________________________________

Student Signature Parent Signature

Matthew C. Winner

June 11, 2006

Safety on the Web

Dear parent,

The Howard County Public School System recognizes the educational benefits of Internet use for its students in addition to the wealth of accessible information available to the students via the World Wide Web.

It is the expectancy of the staff to blend thoughtful use of such information throughout the curriculum and provide guidance and instruction to students in the appropriate use of such resources.

Internet services are to be used in a responsible, efficient, ethical, and legal manner. Users of the Internet must acknowledge their understanding of the guidelines as a condition for independent use of the Internet.

Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in suspension or revocation of Internet access.

For more information regarding the Howard County Public School System’s guidelines for Internet use, please refer to the information found at http://hcpss.org/ (Forms and Guidelines > Internet Use).

As a classroom teacher and user of technology, I believe it is critical for students to work in a safe Internet environment and to feel safe when working on the Internet. Therefore, I teach all of my students about Internet safety before allowing them to use the Internet in 4^th grade. Students will learn basic safety rules as well as strategies to retrieve information effectively via the Internet and appropriate behaviors while working on the computer. Upon reviewing the Internet safety rules, I ask each student to complete a safety agreement that also gets sent home to be reviewed and signed by a parent with the student present.

If you have further questions regarding safety on the web, please refer to the information found at the Safety Education Website (http://www.safetyed.org/) or contact me at matthew_winner@hcpss.org.

Sincerely,

Mr. Matthew C. Winner