Arlington School District

For Immediate Release

 

 

Date: March 11, 2008

Contact:  Melissa Smith, Community Relations

802.375.2589, ext. 147 ~ smithme@bvsu.org (w)

802.375.6070 ~ smith209bh@verizon.net (h)

 

 

Internet Safety Day at Arlington Schools

 

Arlington, Vt.—The Arlington School District will host an Internet Safety Day for K-12 students and their parents, Wednesday, March 19.  During the school day, students will discuss the importance of using the Internet wisely and learn safety tips and strategies.  In the evening, community members are invited to an adults-only discussion, “What Every Parent Should Know About Internet Safety.”  The adult presentation will begin at 6 p.m. in the Mack Performing Arts Center at Arlington Memorial High School (AMHS).  This event is free and open to the community.

            Arlington Computer and Technology Teacher Nicky Jozefiak will spend the day with Arlington students helping them understand the importance of Internet safety.  “In Arlington, students begin taking computer courses in kindergarten.  It’s important for them to understand and be empowered with Internet safety knowledge, so they can make good, safe decisions.  We want parents to be informed, so they can keep their children safe.”

The evening, adults-only presentation will be led by Sergeant Steve Del Negro, a 25-year veteran of the Massachusetts State Police and State Coordinator of their Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, who will provide information on how Internet predators operate and how families can protect their children online by recognizing warning signs and teaching safety rules.  Del Negro will be joined by Detective Sergeant Helaine Gaiotti who is a Child Abuse Investigator for the Vermont State Police and is ICAC affiliated.

As part of Arlington’s ongoing efforts to educate students on Internet safety, AMHS Principal Kerry Csizmesia announced that the school will be offering a new course, “Internet Safety,” to sixth grade students in the fall.  “This is information that is long overdue for students.  I am very pleased that our school district is adding this important piece to our students’ technology requirements.”

For more information about Internet Safety Day or the new Internet Safety course, contact Jozefiak at jozefiakn@bvsu.org or 375.6409, extension 127.  You can visit the AMHS website at www.arlingtonmemorialhs.org.  The Arlington School District mission is to create a safe, caring and respectful environment of academic excellence where students are uniquely challenged to reach their potential at the K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 levels.