New Report: Control, Education, Choice are Keys to Online Safety
July 28, 2009 by Reaching Heights
A task force representing technology companies, child advocacy and parents’ groups, educators, health researchers and policymakers has issued recommendations for best practices that participants in the Internet industry could adopt to help keep children safe and smart when online. The group’s work can be found in its report, .
The task force considered a number of insights relating to child online safety including: the existence of an “ecosystem” of shared responsibility for child safety; challenges to managing online risks; and limitations of current technology and public policy for implementing online safety features. The report includes a review of research into online safety and examples of best practices in the area by technology companies. The report is available here.
The cable television industry lauched in 2007 to educate consumers and parents about online safety and the appropriate use of the Internet by children by emphasizing three key concepts: Control – online parental controls and setting rules for children about online use; Education – media literacy skills especially in an online environment; and Choice – helping children make the right choices online.
Thoughtful Planning, High Commitment
July 7, 2009 by Reaching Heights
Fairfax Elementary School Principal Jacky Brown begins the school year with a plan for each student’s success and growth. This Academic Achievement Plan details the current and past student achievement information and academic goals for each grade level. Principal Brown and the staff use this as a guide for the year’s instruction. This school year’s top priority is to improve math and reading success.
The Academic Achievement plan helps struggling students by providing small work groups, in school tutoring and special student-teacher sessions. Students in the gifted and talented program – Advanced Curriculum Thinking (ACT) – receive small-group instruction in the areas in which they excel.
As Fairfax strives for the success of all students in math and reading, Principal Brown believes each student’s achievement in science is just as important and begins at the kindergarten level with programs such as the Kindergarten Garden.
The emphasis on science will be enhanced by the new science lab opening in December that will include learning centers and a laboratory where students can conduct experiments. It will be the cornerstone of science achievement for students in 3rd through 5th grades.
We send our children to Fairfax because we believe they will receive a great education that will lead them to a successful life. I was not always aware of the extent and depth of the planning for student success or of the dedication and high expectations held by Principal Brown and the staff. Their thoughtful planning and commitment to all children make the school a great place to learn.
by Lori Matthews, Fairfax parent
This article is from the Fairfax Focus, one of seven Neighborhood Newsletters published by Reaching Heights to help tell the stories of our schools to every household in the community. You can read all seven here.