MEMO

To:  Parent(s)/Guardians(s) of International Relations Students

From:  Taylor Reints

Date:  September6, 2006

Re:  Student Websites

As part of the International Relations class that your son or daughter is enrolled in, I am requesting web space for students on the K12 Data Center’s web server.  The ability to work on a web server, instead of creating sites locally will make the student’s web design and experience much more authenticate.  There are some features of websites that will not work, or will not work as well if the website is not published to a server.  Through the use of this website I am hoping to allow students to showcase and share projects from this class in a electronically, digital format.  I am hoping this will further the student’s learning experience from both my class and world of technology. 

My main concern with this request is for student safety.  Students will not be allowed to post any personal identifying information such as full name, address, phone number, or e-mail address.  Students will only be allowed to publish their grade level or post their picture to their sites if parents/guardians give permission below.  Last, I would like to place a hyperlink to students’ homepage from my webpage for easier access, but this would allow anyone visiting my site to know that your son/daughter attends Langford School District.  If this is a concern, check the line that indicates you do not want me to hyperlink to your son or daughter’s homepage.  Langford School District’s Acceptable Use Policy, which you and your student reviewed and signed at the beginning of the school year, also governs any content or activities involved with student websites.

The K12 Data Center website states the following:

The goal of the “State of South Dakota K-12 Students Web Services” project is to establish a safe web location for South Dakota K-12 students to establish their own web site.  It is our hope that this service can be fun, educational, and also provide an area where students can place their course work and other educational materials.  By establishing safe web space, we feel we are helping our students prepare for the future.

Finally, the state requires that the school district informs the students of the following web pages and ensure that students have read and understood them.  The class will be visiting and discussing the content at these sites.  I encourage parents/guardians to also be aware of Internet safety topics.

http://www.sdcybersafe.com/teen.htm

http://www.sdcybersafe.com/teentips.htm

http://www.sdcybersafe.com/doug.htm

If you have any questions contact me at 493-6454 or taylor.reints@k12.sd.us.  Please read the comments on the back page and mark the options that you and your son or daughter decides are best for your family, sign and have the student return this document to Mr. Reints.

Please Choose the options below that you and the student have discussed and feel comfortable with.

Link From Mr. Reint’s International Relations Page to Student’s Homepage

_____ I give permission for Mr. Reints to create a hyperlink from his International Relations Page to my son/daughter’s homepage.

_____ I do not give permission for Mr. Reints to create a hyperlink from his International Relations Page to my son/daughter’s homepage.  (If you check this option please read the third option below.

Information Other than Personal, Contact Information

_____I give permission for the following student, ______________, to place information on their website that is related to International Relations class.  Reminder:  Personal Information will not be allowed such as full name, address, phone number or e-mail address.

_____I do not give permission for the following student, ______________, to place information on their website that is related to International Relations class.  Reminder:  Personal Information will not be allowed such as full name, address, phone number or e-mail address.

_____It is okay for my son/daughter to create a website in conjunction with International Relations class but do not want it to be published to the K12 Data Center’s web server.

I understand that my son or daughter, _______________, will have a website for International Relations class that will be hosted on the K12 Data Center’s web server.  I have read over this content and have contacted Mr. Reints with any concerns.

Student Picture (only allowed to let students feel a more  personal connection to their website)

_____I give permission for the following student, ______________, to place his or her picture on his or her website.

_____I do not give permission for the following student, ______________, to place his or her picture on his or her website.

_____________________

Parent signature

I, ________________, have read over this document and discussed any concerns with my parent/guardian.

_________________

Student signature