Rio Rancho Public Schools has begun a new program to educate students, parents, and community members about Internet Safety. Working in conjunction with our Information Technology Department, we are partnering with the federally-funded iSafe.org program (www.iSafe.org) to bring important information about internet safety to our families. The iSafe.org organization provides individuals, groups and agencies nation-wide with free materials, curriculum, and training covering the many areas of internet safety.

The following are links to the iParent Newsletters (pdf) from iSafe.org. These are filled with terrific information and tips for helping kids stay safe online!

• December iParent Times
• January iParent Times
• February iParent Times

Why are we doing this?
In the United States, more than 77 million children go online. Our children need to be protected from Internet dangers by learning the skills to act responsibly and having the tools to be a better cyber citizen. Recent surveys from i-SAFE America’s National Assessment Center reveal 31 percent of students have chatted or instant messaged with someone on the Internet they have not met face-to-face. They also found 13 percent of students are willing to meet face-to-face with someone new they met on the Internet. Our children must be made aware. Awareness comes from education.

Internet Safety Week Schedule of Activities

Parent Training: The core activity for each school this year will be the Parent Training evening meetings at each school (see schedule below). The District Office will also host a training (held at the Cyber Academy across from the district office) for those parents who miss their child’s school training or have home-schooled children, or community members in general. These will consist of a presentation about internet safety, along with a video showing how our children are at risk when surfing the internet, and what we can do to keep them safe.

Student Activities: Each school will be conducting age-appropriate training with students (K-9) using a terrific curriculum provided by the iSafe.org program (www.iSafe.org). This will occur either during their computer lab time or during special groups or assemblies and over the media system so as to not interfere with the regular teaching day. Incentive prizes and daily awards/contests are planned at each school to encourage students to take ownership of these safety principles and put them into practice.

Parent Training Nights:

If you have questions about this district-wide initiative, please don't hesitate to contact us.