


The Internet is a valuable resource for teachers and students and is used in conjunction with other resource materials such as text books, books in the classroom and Media Center, encyclopedias, CD-ROMs, and videos.
Students use the Internet to do research and to further enhance a lesson taught in the classroom or computer lab. Some of our text books have websites with lesson extensions. Under teacher direction and supervision, students may use the Internet in the classroom individually or in small groups, or in the computer lab as a group activity. Students learn appropriate search strategies, how to evaluate the content and value of a web site, how to copy and save a graphic, and the importance of following copyright laws which included the citing of sources.
All classroom computers at Parsley are able to access the Internet via Ethernet cable and a T1 line. Students are allowed access to the Internet only when instructed to do so and under direct supervision by the teacher or other trained staff member.
New Hanover County employs the use a firewall that is designed to block inappropriate material from Internet access at the school. Although this is an effective tool, no firewall is 100% foolproof. While using the Internet, students will always be monitored by staff members.
In the unlikely event that inappropriate material gets through the firewall, the site would be reported and blocked at the county level.
A list of appropriate sites for students, parents and teachers is available on the Parsley web site. This list is updated frequently as new resources are found.

Simple Search Strategies
| WHEN LOOKING FOR |
USE A |
BECAUSE |
general information (e.g., "volunteer programs" or "printers") |
subject directory, such as www.yahoo.com or www.google.com |
it sorts sites by overall subject. |
information about a particular idea or product (e.g., PTA or HP Deskjet 890CM) |
search engine, such as www.altavista.com or www.askjeeves.com |
instead of grouping sites by subjects, it searches for precise key words in the URL, title, or text. |
a specific site when you don't know the URL (e.g., New Hanover County PTA or the HP Deskjet site) |
metasearch engine, such as www.go2net.com or www.dogpile.com |
it hunts through many search engines' databases at the same time. |
Links to excellent search engines for students are found on our Web Searching for Kids page which also has links to on-line dictionaries and other tools for student use.
Links to other websites with strategies for an effective search:
Important Safety Tips for Parents & Children Using the Internet
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children offer the following advice regarding safe use of the Internet
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Do not give out personal information such as address, telephone number, parent's work address or telephone numbers, or the name and location of your school, without permission of your parents. Tell your parents right away if you come across any information on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.
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Never agree to get together with someone you "meet" on the Internet without first checking with your parents. If your parents agree, take them with you and meet in a public place.
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Never send anyone your picture or any other possessions without first checking with your parents.
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Do not respond to any messages that are mean, rude, or make you feel uncomfortable; tell your parents about it right away.
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If you get a message that worries you, frightens you, or makes you feel uncomfortable, tell your parents about it right away.
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Talk to your parents about the rules of your household concerning how you use the computer and Internet. Decide on the time of day that you go online, how long you can surf the 'Net', and what kinds of websites you can look at. Please obey they rules; they are for your safety.
Resources:
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New Hanover County's Network and Internet Access Policy - Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) outlines the rules and responsibilities for computer, network, and Internet use.