Network Access and Safety

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

At the December 2015 Regular Board Meeting, the board approved the update of Policy Form 3612-F Authorization for Network Access. This policy supports the revisions to Policy 3612 District Provided Access to Electronic Information, Services and Networks that were made at the November 2015 Regular Meeting. One of the main changes to the policy form is the addition of an educational component before allowing electronic network access to our students. 

The district believes that implementation of education components are necessary in proactively addressing potential dangers and problems a student might encounter online. Therefore, students will be required to complete the educational and digital citizenship components. Even though a similar form was signed at the beginning of the year, it didn't contain the educational component of safety and digital citizenship. Both students and parents will be asked to sign an updated electronic use agreement before February 8, 2016. 

Before signing the agreement of authorization for network access, users will successfully complete the Colstrip Public Schools #19 Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship curriculum basics.

a.     Cyberbullying

b.     Privacy and Information Sharing

c.     Social Networking Safety

d.     Online Predator Safety

Programs like NetSmartz will be used to provide age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on and offline. We will ask Middle and High School students to review videos provided by NetSmartz as a requirement of the Authorization For Network Access. NetSmartz is an interactive, educational program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) that provides age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safer on- and offline. 

For more information, the district will post the applicable Policies, Procedures and Forms on our website under Student Resources. The applicable Policies, Procedures and Forms will be listed under the link to Electronic Information, Services and Networks.

Thank you for your understanding, support and help in making our students' on-line experiences as safe as possible.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"