Kidblog Student Safety Guidelines

Here are some guidelines for us (students) to use while we blog so we can be safe:
1) Only write 1st names (unless you're referring to a teacher).
2) Never write about when you are going to go on a vacation or when you will not be home for a period of time.
3) Don't write about anything too personal.  (Ask me what is appropriate and what is not).
4) Don't write about anything too physical (such as pushing someone down in a hockey game).
5)Never give out your address, town name, or SAU # (or name the streets you ride your bike on).
Teachers, administrators, and/or parents...please comment on this post to give us more safety suggestions!  Thanks!

Blogging Information

The following website offers a great introduction to what blogging is as well as its purpose:
http://prezi.com/wy_rbubyyrru/pedagogy-of-blogging/

The websites below give more great information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8392653.stm

http://blogwalker.edublogs.org/2009/08/28/five-tips-for-helping-students-become-better-bloggers/

http://blogush.edublogs.org/2008/12/12/how-has-writing-for-a-world-wide-wide-audience-changed-the-way-you-write/

http://ideasandthoughts.org/2008/07/17/student-and-teacher-blogging-that-succeeds/

http://murcha.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/20-reasons-why-students-should-blog/

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech253.shtml

http://transleadership.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/blogging-4th-graders/ 

Here are some examples of class blogs:
http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blog_id=942351

http://afpcsurbantree.edublogs.org/ 

Kidblog Safety Information

Below is some information I got from the following website/blog:
http://www.blogtap.net/kidblog-a-free-blogging-platform-for-the-elementary-and-middle-school-classroom/
 

What about the Kidblog environment makes it safe for children?
Teachers have full administrative control over all comments, posts, and privacy settings. At Kidblog, the core element is the “class.” As the administrator of the class, teachers have the ability to preview and approve (or unapprove) content published by students (and other visitors, if allowed by their privacy settings).
Kidblog does not collect any personal information from students, making us a perfect choice for students under 13 (in accordance with COPPA guidelines). Furthermore, students are never subjected to advertising of any kind, so teachers can feel comfortable knowing that the publishing environment is free from unpredictable distractions.

SAU 16 Responsible Use Policy

EXETER SCHOOL BOARD / SAU 16             

RESPONSIBLE COMPUTER, NETWORK AND INTERNET USE                                                    

Overview

The Exeter School District provides its students and staff access to a multitude of technology resources.  The District believes that these resources provide incredible opportunities to enhance learning and improve communication within our community and with the global community beyond our campus.  The advantages of having access to these resources are far greater than any potential downside. However, with the privilege of access comes great responsibility for students, teachers, staff and families. SAU 16 expects all community members to exercise appropriate personal responsibility in their use of these resources. Our policies are intended to promote the most effective, safe, productive, and instructionally sound uses of networked information & communication tools.   The District makes every effort to protect its students from exposure to Internet materials that are harmful or explicit. The District maintains a system of Internet content filtering devices and software controls that meet federal standards established in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
 

Being a Digital Citizen
In The Exeter School District we use information and technology in safe, legal, and responsible ways. We embrace the following conditions or facets of being a digital citizen.

• Respect One's self. Users will select online names that are appropriate and will consider the information and images that are posted online.
• Respect Others. Users will refrain from using technologies to bully, tease or harass other people.
• Protect One's self and Others. Users will protect themselves and others by reporting abuse and not forwarding inappropriate materials or communications.
• Respect Intellectual Property. Users will suitably cite any and all use of websites, books, media, etc.
• Protect Intellectual Property. Users will request to use the software and media others produce.

Expectations
Responsible use of the District's technology resources is ethical, respectful, academically honest, and supportive of the school’s mission. Each computer user has the responsibility to respect every other person in our community and on the Internet. Digital storage and electronic devices used for school purposes will be treated as extensions of the physical school space.  Administrators, or their designees, may review files and communications (including electronic mail) to insure that users are using the system responsibly.  Users should not expect that files stored on servers or disks will be private.  Users also should understand that school servers regularly record Internet activity in log files that are available to the public under RSA 91-A: Access to Public Records and Meetings.

Some activities are expressly prohibited by law.  Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. The following guidelines are intended to clarify expectations for conduct, but they should not be construed as all-inclusive.

• Use of electronic devices should be consistent with the district's educational objectives, mission and curriculum.
• Transmission of any material in violation of any local, federal and state laws is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, licensed material and threatening or obscene material.
• Intentional or unintentional use of computing resources to access or process, proxy sites, pornographic material, explicit text or files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the network is strictly prohibited.
• Software and/or services may not be installed or downloaded on school devices without prior approval of the Superintendent or designee.
• Use of computing resources for commercial activities, product advertisement or religious or political lobbying is prohibited.
• Users may be held personally and financially responsible for malicious or intentional damage done to network software, data, user accounts, hardware and/or unauthorized costs incurred.
• Files stored on district managed networks are the property of the school district and, as such, may be inspected at any time and should not be considered private.
• Materials published for electronic publication must be for educational purposes.  School administrators, teachers and staff may monitor these materials to ensure compliance with content standards. 

Policy Violations

The school reserves the right to refuse access to the Internet to anyone. Violating any portion of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including  temporary or permanent ban on computer or Internet use, suspension or dismissal from school, and/or legal action. The District may cooperate with law enforcement officers in investigations related to illegal activities conducted through its network. 

The RUP Passed!

Last night, the Kensington School Board passed the SAU 16 Responsible Use Policy (RUP).  We are so excited.  (Actually, I'm ecstatic). Today we started to blog on kidblog.org.  Your child has a username and password.  I have to approve all blogs and comments before they are publicly posted.

You can see how kids can now learn in school, at home, and anywhere in the world with the You Tube video a group of teachers and I made last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhcGI37KArQ

If you have any questions or comments or concerns (about anything) please come see me, email me, or call me so I can help your child have the best year possible.

THANKS!

Electronic Field Trip

Today we "went" on a fieldtrip to the North Cascades National Park to learn about the Climate Challenge. We even managed to connect on the phone line with a park ranger to ask the question, "Could climate change be good and bad?" but they told us that they were just looking for questions on glaciers at that point. We tried to call again but the phone lines were busy. The students were engaged, they learned a lot, and had some fun.

Below is the website for the North Cascades National Park where you and your family can find more information and play some games.

http://northcascadeseft.org/

We will be visiting the Golf Islands National Seashore in February and we hope to be able to ask a question live.

NECAPs

We have been working extremely hard preparing for the NECAP testing that begins this Thursday, October 7^th and ends on Tuesday, October 19^th. I’m impressed with how well every student has learned how to manage the stress of the test, tackle the “tricks” of the test makers, and assess their practice tests using rubrics. These strategies will help them in years to come with their future NECAPs, SATs, GREs, and so on.

It is essential for all students to get a lot of sleep each night; as a result, I will continue to not assign much homework. Please make sure your child gets a nutritious breakfast each morning. Also, please pack your child with balanced, healthy snacks and lunch (if applicable).

Makeup tests will be on Wednesday and Thursday, October 20^th and 21^st.

To celebrate the completion of the NECAPS and students hard work, we will have a pajama day on Friday, October 22^nd. During this day we will read and write independently, play math games, and partake in some team building activities.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please email me at rsmall@sau16.org or call the school at 772-5705.