Safety is Key to Surfing the Net
The Community Idea Stations (CIS) recently received the FBI's Director's Community Leadership Award for their partnership and the work they are doing to promote the FBI-SOS (Safe Online Surfing) Internet Challenge program in central Virginia schools. The award was presented in recognition of outstanding service to the local community and of enduring contributions to the advancement of justice.
The CIS/FBI partnership began in the spring of last year. This collaboration was an appropriate fit since WCVE Education provides K-12 services for educators in 44 school divisions (over 450 schools) in the central Virginia area. The FBI-SOS Internet Challenge is a FREE educational, online program that teaches children guidelines for Internet safety, including ethics, etiquette and online safety — especially as it relates to online dangers and Internet predators. The FBI-SOS Internet Challenge addresses many of the federal, state, and local laws related to school Internet Safety requirements and some of Virginia’s Computer Technology Standards of Learning (SOL).
Several schools in our area have signed on to have students participate in the FBI-SOS Internet Challenge. One school in our region, Lakeview Elementary School in Colonial Heights, was recognized as the school scoring the highest points to become the FBI's 5th grade national winner for the month of October. As a national winner, the school was recognized by a visit from the FBI and members of the Community Idea Stations — and was awarded the national FBl-SOS Trophy.
Many schools are taking advantage of this program to fulfill some of their requirements to include internet safety in their curriculum. If educators would like a presentation to learn more about the FBI-SOS Internet Challenge — or want to know how they can bring the program into their schools — please contact the WCVE Education staff at (804) 560.8133.
Tell us…how do you promote internet safety in your home or school?
Pictured from left: Wayne Thomas, Technology Specialist; Iris Scott, Vice President of Educational Services; Cindy Matejka, Education Specialist; and Curtis Monk, CEO of The Community Idea Stations.
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