Internet Safety – Huntley Community School District 158

Huntley 158 takes Internet safety seriously, and our goal is to protect district students from inappropriate material on the web and to teach students the advantages of online/cyber content along with the many dangers that are involved.

On October 10, 2008 the “Broadband Data Improvement Act” / “Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act” was signed into law. For schools and districts the law means that elementary and secondary schools having computers with Internet access will not receive federal funding through the E-Rate Program for Internet service, Internet access or internal connections without certifying that their Internet safety policy includes Internet safety education. Specifically, the mandatory Internet safety education must include lessons on cyber bullying awareness and response as well as teaching appropriate online behaviors for students on social networking sites and in chat rooms. In Huntley Community School District 158 this policy will be addressed through the implementation of digital citizenship curriculum.

Children’s Internet Protection Act

Congress passed HR 4577, which includes requirements for K-12 schools that provide Internet access. One of the requirements of this act is the use of a technology protection measure, that blocks or filters Internet access. School District 158 has provided filtered Internet access starting in 1998.

School District 158 uses LightSpeed as its content filtering/blocking software. You can find out more information about LightSpeed at http://files.lightspeedsystems.com/pdfs/collateral/Solution-Web-Filter-1.pdf

NOTE: The district has updated their Internet policy to comply with the recommendations of the state board, based on the Children’s Internet Protection Act P.L. 106-554. District 158’s board of education approved changes to the access of the electronic network, which is policy 6:235.

This policy requires all students to sign an Authorization for Access to Internet/Electronic Networks. This information was enclosed with student’s registration packets for students and parents to sign. The policy will be in each building student handbook with more detailed information. If you have not received this form, copies are available in the district registration office.

Beginning in 2009-2010, Illinois law SB2512 states that beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, a school district must incorporate into the school curriculum a component on Internet safety to be taught at least once each school year to students in grade 3 or above.