Parent Resources

Computer Safety

Talk with your children about Internet safely and protecting themselves. Help keep your children safe by educating yourself.

Tips to keep your computer safe:

Keep your virus software up to date
Download recommended updates for your operating system
If you are using wireless connections, make sure you set the security on the router
Be very careful when installing any free software
Don't open email or attachments from unknown sources

Cyberbullying is a form of online intimidation. While this is done online, there are common characteristics very similar to that of a “real world” bully. The overall majority of cyberbullying occurs among teenagers and younger children.

Talking to your children about cyberbullying will greatly reduce the chances that they will be impacted by this kind of behavior.

Cybersafety Starts With You
What is Cyberbullying?

Discount Internet Service

Springfield School District recognizes that there are families in our community who do not have access to the Internet at home. Home Internet access can provide children with the ability to participate in even more learning opportunities.

To assist households without Internet service, Comcast offers a program called Internet Essentials. Internet Essentials provides home Internet Access to qualifying families at a discounted price. Please use the links below for details about the program:

What is Internet Essentials*
How to qualify and apply*
Lifeline - Overcoming the Digital Divide
Lifeline is the FCC's program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Currently, Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service purchased from participating providers in the marketplace. On March 31, 2016, the FCC approved rules to modernize Lifeline so that subscribers can also purchase discounted broadband from participating providers. Discounts will apply to stand-alone broadband, bundled voice-broadband packages - either fixed or mobile - and stand-alone voice service. Watch this page for an announcement of when these new rules take effect. These modernizations will help ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st-century broadband and the access it provides to jobs, education and opportunities.

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

As part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to bring affordable Internet and connected devices to low-income households. Under the ACP program, qualifying households receive subsidies of $30/month for Internet access, and up to $100 toward the purchase of a connected device (computer or tablet) from an ACP provider.

Every household that has been enrolled in the ACP – whether with Comcast or with any other provider – is eligible for Internet Essentials, offering 50 Mbps internet service for $9.95 per month (equipment included, no credit check, no cancellation fee).
ACP enrollees can choose to double their speed with Internet Essentials Plus, offering 100 Mbps service for $29.95 per month (equipment included, no credit check, no cancellation fee).

Although schools and school districts are not applicants or direct beneficiaries in this program, you can call the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575 to learn more about the program, including eligibility or enrollment information.

Internet Safety

Learn about the Internet, and what your kids do on it
Find out how the internet works and how to navigate it. If your local school, community center, or library offers courses, sign up. Have your kids show you where they go online and what they do. If you talk openly with your kids about their Internet habits, they'll feel comfortable coming to you if they ever encounter a problem online.

Create a family agreement on Internet use
With your kids' input, create a family online agreement. It should contain guidelines on proper online conduct, safeguarding personal information, what areas and activities are off-limits, and what to do if they encounter a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable or scared.

Accompany young kids online as they learn their way around
Don't leave young children alone to explore any cyber-environment – always be there with them, guiding them to sites or areas you consider appropriate.

Create your own list of great sites
Ask other parents, teachers, or librarians for their recommendations, or use a reputable online directory of recommended kids' sites. Your list should include some kid-friendly search engines for your children to use when looking for information online.

Teach your children never to give out personal information
The most important online safety rule you can teach your kids is to protect their personal privacy. They should never give out their name, email address, street address, phone number, or picture without your permission. This rule applies to all cyber-environments: chat rooms, email, websites, instant messaging, file-sharing networks, and online games.

Encourage good Netiquette
"Netiquette" – short for "Net etiquette" – is the informal code of conduct for the Internet. More than just having good manners, this also means not engaging in illegal activity such as inciting hatred, reading other people's mail, or copying someone else's software, online art or written work,or sharing someone else's content without their permisson.

Encourage an open dialogue with kids regarding Internet conduct
Teens, especially, tend to be adventuresome and curious and may seek out sites and activities that aren't appropriate for them. Keep the lines of communication open, so you know what they're doing online – and so they'll feel comfortable coming to you if they get into trouble.

Put your connected computer in a well-used area of your home
Make sure that your computer with Internet access is in a public part of your house, such as the family room or even the kitchen – so you can keep an eye on what your kids are doing on it. Do not put it in a child's bedroom.

Explore technological tools to filter content and control Internet access
Talk to your Internet Service Provider about what parental tools it offers its customers. Visit a computer store to find out what filtering and blocking software you can install on your computer to control Internet access. However, be aware that these tools are far from perfect – and should never replace adult supervision and involvement.

Student should notify their homeroom teacher or main office that their device is lost or stolen.
The device will be disabled so no one else can log into it once we are notified.
Download and complete the SSD Tech Incident Report .
Email the SSD Tech Incident Report to Sergeant Bryan Schafer, the Director of Safety and Security for Springfield School District (bryan.schafer@ssdcougars.org) Sergeant Schafer will notify the Technology Department once the incident report is received, and a fine of $75 will be issued.
- Once the fine is issued, payment can be made via Payschools Central, or cash/check can be submitted to the Main Office of your student’s school.
Your student may check out a Chromebook each day to use during the school day and must return it at the end of each day prior to leaving school for a maximum of a two week period.
Your student will be issued a replacement Chromebook once the incident report is submitted and payment is received.
If, after 2 weeks, the incident report is not received and the fine is not paid, the $75 fine will be replaced with a fine for the full amount of the device and the students access to a spare device will no longer be permitted until the fine is paid.
- If a financial hardship exists, please reach out to your student’s guidance counselor or the school administration.
If the device is found, the fine will be removed from HAC or payment will be refunded.

SSD Internet Safety Policies

Technology in Plain English

Click on a link below to see short videos explaining different types of technology in terms that everyone can understand.

Springfield School District