Network and Computer Technician- Foy Clark
Network and Computer Technician- Tisha Acosta
Parent Portal Link Click Here
"The Internet offers kids many opportunities for learning, constructive entertainment, and personal growth. At the same time, parents are concerned about the risks kids face online. The challenge for parents is to educate themselves and their children about how to use the Internet safely."- GetNetWise
The goal of the Kernville Union School District is to bring technology tools into the classroom, to use technology to help students' meet high academic standards in all areas and to provide quality and quantity learning opportunities through internet connection.
Technology skills as described in the district technology plan are developed by coordinated activities that support learning in academic content, discipline-specific areas. Integrating technology into the learning activities optimizes instruction. The complete technology plan can be found on this website under Technology
KUSD has taken several precautions to make your child's internet experience safe and secure. The district uses iPrism for filtering. iPrism is a dedicated Internet filtering appliance that secures us from Internet-based threats such as spyware, IM, P2P, and inappropriate content, at the perimeter We have a private IP network to prevent hacking. Our technology team works closely with all staff on each school site to support our technology endeavors.
The technology department is under the guise of special services headed by Sherry Costa. The technology team consists of Foy Clark, Computer Technologist, Tisha Acosta, User Support Technician, and Lisa Oden, Secretary. The staff can be reached at (760) 379-4863 for questions or further information. The staff e-mail addresses can be found at the top of this page.
As part of our commitment to the value and necessity of technology in today's learning environment, the Kernville Union School District has developed the following information and guidelines for internet safety for your whole family.
The following tips, along with so much more safety information, can be found on the safety rules websites listed at the end of this letter.
Online Safety Recommendations for Parents
By taking responsibility for your children's online computer use, parents can greatly minimize any potential risks of being online. Make it a family rule to:
- Never give out identifying information-- home address, school name, or telephone number-- in a public message such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure you're dealing with someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving it out via E-mail. Think carefully before revealing any personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information. Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child's name if your service allows it.
- Get to know the services your child uses. If you don't know how to log on, get your child to show you. Find out what types of information it offers and whether there are ways for parents to block out objectionable material.
- Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission.
- Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounters such messages. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and ask for their assistance.
- Should you become aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography while online, immediately report this to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling 1-800-843-5678 or visiting the CyberTipLine online. You should also notify your online service.
- Remember that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can't see or even hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him- or herself. Thus, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could in reality be a 40-year-old man.
- Remember that everything you read online may not be true. Any offer that's "too good to be true" probably is. Be very careful about any offers that involve you coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house.
- Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children. Discuss these rules and post them near the computer as a reminder. Remember to monitor their compliance with these rules, especially when it comes to the amount of time your children spend on the computer. A child or teenager's excessive use of online services or bulletin boards, especially late at night, may be a clue that there is a potential problem. Remember that personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters.
- Be sure to make this a family activity. Consider keeping the computer in a family room rather than the child's bedroom. Get to know their "online friends" just as you get to know all of their other friends.
How To Minimize The Risks
The best way to assure that your children are having a positive online experience is to stay in touch with what they are doing.
- First, have your child show you how to access the Internet.
- Spend time with them when they are online.
- Explore the wide range of information that is available and discuss with them which topics you consider off-limits.
- Keep the lines of communication open so that you can talk to your children, and they will recognize your interest in what they are doing is genuine.
- Monitor the amount of time your child spends with the computer. Excessive use of online services, especially late at night, may signal a potential problem. The same parenting skills that apply to the "real world" also apply while online.
ONLINE SAFETY RULES WEBSITES
DESIGNED-FOR-YOUNG PEOPLE SEARCH ENGINES
