This week's safe schools snippets

Parents should be vigilant about safe Internet use

Warnings about dangers lurking on the Internet appear almost daily — so much so that many regard them as routine. Get more tips from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on how to keep your children safe online.

Internet safety for young kids

Here’s a question for you: do your kids use the internet? If they do, they’re not alone. A new study shows that more than two-thirds of children ages 2 through 5 know how to use a computer. That sounds pretty young, right? The numbers grow as the ages go up. And, that’s why experts say now is the time to start talking to our kids about the internet — and, the dangers it can bring. There can’t be too much info out there about internet safety. Learn more from this FOX TV report.

Feds: School failed to stop bullying of gay student

The Tehachapi Unified School District in California violated civil rights law by failing to stop the persistent bullying of Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old gay middle school student who committed suicide, federal investigators have concluded. Read more at California Watch, an investigative news site.

Report: Despite legal protections, gay students in Colo. bullied

In Colorado, nearly all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students polled this year by national anti-bullying organization GSLEN said they regularly heard homophobic remarks and slurs at their schools. Half of them reported being pushed and shoved around for being queer. Read more at the Colorado Independent. And read this comprehensive report from EdNews Colorado and EdNews Parent.

Douglas County teacher arrested for sexually assaulting student

CASTLE ROCK – A former Mountain Vista High School English teacher has been arrested on charges that he sexually assaulted a former 17-year-old female student in 2009. Check out the FOX31 report.

Teachers union sues state board over arrest disclosure rule

The statewide teachers union has sued the Colorado Board of Education over new rules requiring the public disclosure of teacher arrests. Read more in the Coloradoan.

 

About our First Person series:

First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others trying to improve public education. Read our submission guidelines here.