Blog: Release and Permission to Participate Form

Hello Parents/Guardians,

This information/permission sheet is for a blog aspect that I am implementing in all of my courses. By definition, a blog is a “web log” - or a website that serves as an online journal for its user.

All of the courses that I teach have objectives that can be summarized as educating your child in how to be a digital citizen. Through blogging your child will be exposed to different aspects of technology. Your child will be required to write two blog posts each six-weeks. The posts are a reflection on something they learned, a struggle they had, a breakthrough on a topic, etc. in class. Being able to reflect upon their learning for that week will really help your child in the learning process.

Before students actually start blogging, I will explain the guidelines they must follow.

Guidelines:

• Unless they have a letter from parents giving permission, they must use a pseudonym. This is to protect their online privacy.
• Unless they have a letter from parents giving permission, they must not post any pictures of themselves in their blog.
• They cannot use the real names or pictures of any other students in the class. They can mention another student without specifying a name.
• They cannot in any way cyberbully another student through their own blog post or in a comment they post.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of Information Communications Technology (ICT), particularly mobile phones and the internet, deliberately to upset someone else.

Instances of cyberbullying will be taken very seriously by me and the administration. At a minimum, the student’s computer account will be locked for six weeks. This would make passing my course very difficult. The administration will be notified, and the incident will be treated just like a case of bullying. In some cases the police department will need to be involved as well. I will make it very clear to the students what the consequences are, but I ask that you help me by doing the same.

What can you do to help?

• Ask your child what blogs they have subscribed to.
• Ask your child what the posts they wrote that week were about.
• Ask your child how to create your own RSS reader, and subscribe to their blog.
• Notify me immediately of any actions on the part of students to cyberbully other students. The person reporting the complaint will remain anonymous.

Although students are encouraged to continue exploring various modes of online communication long after the course has ended, we will no longer monitor your child’s blog at the end of the year and cannot be held liable for anything your child chooses to post after he/she has left our class.

PARENTAL/GUARDIAN RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE

Please read the below statement, sign, and return with your student by Friday, September 6th, 2013.

I, ___________________________________________, the parent/guardian of ______________________________________________, hereby grant permission for my child to create a blog on www.blogger.com  and post entries for his/her Computer Science/Internet Technology course at LASA High School.

Having read this Release and Permission to Participate form, I agree to the terms and conditions expressed herein.

Signed this _________ day of __________________________, 2013.

________________________________________         __________________________

Parent or Legal Guardian’s Signature                                    Home Phone/Work Phone

STUDENT SIGNATURE

I, ______________________________________________, agree to abide by all policies and guidelines for the blog aspect of my course. I have read and understand the penalties that will be enforced if I do not comply.

Signed this _________  day of __________________________, 2013.

________________________________________

Student Signature