From the Superintendent's Desk
Dear
Parents and Community:
As we approach the Holiday
Season, I was reflecting on buying gifts for my loved ones.
Since time is money, (and I seem to have less of both lately), I
thought of the gifts I could purchase via the internet and save time,
frustration, and maybe some money. That led me to
think of just how the internet and technology has impacted all of us as
well as our youth. In this age of technology into
which our children have been born, they are often more knowledgeable and
skilful in using computers than we parents are. I
often say the youth of today are “technology natives”
while most of my generation (or older) are “technology immigrants.”
While Leland Schools have always provided students with
instruction on internet safety, Illinois legislation requires all
Illinois public schools to provide internet safety instruction to
students above 3rd grade.
In addition to instruction
provided at school, there are many things parents can do to help and
guide their children in safely using the internet.
Parents need to talk to their
children about a number of things:
1. The house rules
– establishing rules about the amount of time they are permitted to
spend online and when they can do it (Eg. after homework, when chores
are done, after some outside activity etc.)
2. Stranger Alert -
your children already know about not talking to strangers. You need to
remind them people on the Internet they don’t know
are strangers and they must not give out any personal information.
Ensure their e-mail address doesn’t give their name- have them use a
“pen” name or their pet’s name etc. instead.
3. Place the
computer in a central place where there is plenty of family activity and
you can monitor your child’s work. A computer in a child’s bedroom is
out of sight.
4. Surf the net
together so you can explore and assess the sites visited together.
5. Teach your
children what to do if someone says something inappropriate or makes
them feel uncomfortable, on line. Encourage your children to tell you
about anything inappropriate they come across.
6. Blocking and
filtering software is readily available to help prevent undesirable
material entering your home via the Internet.
7. Do not let your
child give out his email address without your permission. Much
unsolicited material can come into your home as junk mail. Often this
junk mail is very inappropriate. Complain to your Internet Service
Provider if you continue to receive inappropriate junk mail.
8.
Never let your child use a credit card online without your direct
supervision and you are confident it is a safe site.
Enjoy together the enrichment
the Internet can bring to your children’s learning in a safe, positive,
educational and fun way. Best wishes for a happy and
safe holiday season!
Sincerely,
Dr. Lane Abrell
Superintendent